01-16-2011, 12:17 PM
Action: Open the Columbia River to retention of hatchery steelhead between the Highway 24 Bridge (Vernita Bridge) and Priest Rapids Dam.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.
Location: Vernita Bridge (Hwy 24) upstream to Priest Rapids Dam.
Effective Date: Dec. 8, 2010 until further notice.
Other information:
"¢ Daily limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar in its location. Minimum size is 20 inches.
"¢ Wild steelhead (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
Reason for action: Returns of hatchery and natural-origin summer-run steelhead to the upper Columbia River have far exceeded the run criteria of 9,300 counted over Priest Rapids Dam required to open a conservation-based fishery under the Endangered Species Act.
Information contact: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the current WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet or the Fishing section of the WDFW webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500; press 2 for recreational rules; call the Shellfish Rule Change hotline, (360) 796-3215, or toll free 1 (866) 880-5431.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.
Location: Vernita Bridge (Hwy 24) upstream to Priest Rapids Dam.
Effective Date: Dec. 8, 2010 until further notice.
Other information:
"¢ Daily limit of two (2) hatchery steelhead. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar in its location. Minimum size is 20 inches.
"¢ Wild steelhead (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
Reason for action: Returns of hatchery and natural-origin summer-run steelhead to the upper Columbia River have far exceeded the run criteria of 9,300 counted over Priest Rapids Dam required to open a conservation-based fishery under the Endangered Species Act.
Information contact: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the current WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet or the Fishing section of the WDFW webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500; press 2 for recreational rules; call the Shellfish Rule Change hotline, (360) 796-3215, or toll free 1 (866) 880-5431.