EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: February 5, 2011.
Purpose: Amend personal use fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.047 and 77.04.020.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: The fishery will reduce the number of excess hatchery-origin steelhead and consequently increase the proportion of natural-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds. Higher proportions of naturally produced spawners are expected to improve genetic integrity and stock recruitment of upper Columbia River steelhead through perpetuation of steelhead stocks with the greatest natural-origin lineage. Sections of the Okanogan River around the mouths of Omak and Tonasket creeks are closed to protect natural origin steelhead staging prior to spawning in those tributaries. There is insufficient time to adopt permanent rules.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: February 4, 2011.
Philip Anderson
Director
(1) In the river sections modified below, a person may retain hatchery-origin adipose fin-clipped steelhead with circular (hole) punches in the caudal (tail) fin just like they can in areas of the Columbia River and tributaries that remain open to steelhead fishing. Current salmon and all other game fish rules do not apply during steelhead season.
(2) A person may fish for steelhead in the Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. Selective gear rules, except bait is allowed. Night closure in effect. Daily limit may contain up to four adipose fin-clipped steelhead; minimum size 20 inches.
(a) A person may fish for and possess floy tagged rainbow trout. No daily or minimum size limits.
(3) A person may fish for steelhead in the Entiat River upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery outfall. Daily limit may contain up to four adipose fin-clipped steelhead; minimum size 20 inches. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
(4) A person may fish for steelhead in waters of the Methow River from the mouth to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop. Fishing from a floating device is prohibited from the second powerline crossing to the first Highway 153 bridge. Daily limit may contain up to four adipose fin-clipped steelhead; minimum size 20 inches. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
(5) A person may fish for steelhead in waters of the Okanogan River from the mouth upstream to the Hwy 97 Bridge in Oroville. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. EXCEPTION: CLOSED WATERS, effective March 15, 2011, from the first powerline crossing downstream of the Hwy 155 Bridge in Omak (Coulee Dam Credit Union Building) to the mouth of Omak Creek; and from the Tonasket Bridge (4th Street) downstream to the Tonasket Lagoons Park boat launch.
(6) A person may fish for steelhead in waters of the Similkameen River from the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. Daily limit may contain up to four adipose fin-clipped steelhead; minimum size 20 inches. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
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