EMERGENCY RULES
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Effective Date of Rule: May 1, 2013.
Purpose: Amend recreational fishing rules.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 232-28-61900C; and amending WAC 232-28-619.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.12.045, 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 department is in the process of filing permanent rules that were adopted by the Washington fish and wildlife commission for sportfishing, and permanent rules that will be adopted by the department for recreational salmon fishing. The salmon rules were agreed to with resource comanagers at the North of Falcon proceedings. All of these rules are interim until permanent rules take effect.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: April 26, 2013.
Philip Anderson
Director
1. Freshwater terminal gear restrictions: Terminal gear restrictions apply to all species, including salmon, unless otherwise provided.
2. It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor in the following waters:
| Water Body | County | Section (if applicable) |
| American River | Yakima | |
| Box Canyon Creek | Kittitas | From waterfall approximately 2 miles upstream of mouth to USFS Road #4930 Bridge. |
| Bumping River | Yakima | From mouth to Bumping Reservoir |
| Cowiche Creek | Yakima | |
| De Roux Creek | Kittitas | Upstream of USFS Trail #1392 stream crossing. |
| Kachess River | Kittitas | |
| Naneum Creek | Kittitas | |
| Teanaway River, North Fork | Kittitas | |
| Tieton River | Yakima | |
| Umtanum Creek | Kittitas |
| Water Body | County | Section (if applicable) |
| Boulder Creek | Okanogan | Including tributaries not otherwise provided for. |
| Browns Creek | Pend Oreille | |
| Bumping River | Yakima | From Bumping Lake upstream. |
| Cedar Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Chikamin Creek | Chelan | |
| Chewuch (Chewack) River | Okanogan | From the mouth to Eight Mile Creek. |
| Deep Creek | Yakima | From the second bridge crossing upstream. |
| Entiat River | Chelan | Above Entiat Falls. |
| Icicle River (Creek) | Chelan | From the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack upstream to Leland Creek. |
| Indian Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Indian Creek | Yakima | Upstream of the waterfall, approximately 6 miles upstream from the mouth. |
| Le Clerc Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Little Pend Oreille River | Stevens | Including all tributaries. |
| Little Spokane River | Spokane | Tributaries not otherwise provided for, and mainstem from the West Branch upstream. |
| Lost River | Okanogan | From the mouth of Monument Creek to the outlet of Cougar Lake. |
| Methow River (Burma |
Okanogan County | From County Road 1535 Bridge to Gold Creek; from Foghorn Dam to Weeman Bridge; tributaries not otherwise provided for. |
| Mill Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Nason Creek | Chelan | From Smith Brook to Stevens Creek. |
| Pend Oreille River tributaries | Pend Oreille | Those not otherwise provided for. |
| Phelps Creek | Chelan | From the mouth to the falls at river mile one. |
| Priest Lake tributaries | Pend Oreille | Including Upper Priest Lake tributaries, except those tributaries otherwise provided for. |
| Priest River tributaries | Pend Oreille | |
| Rock Creek | Adams/Whitman | From Endicott Road to the bridge on George Knott Road at Revere. |
| Rock Creek | Chelan | |
| Ruby Creek
|
Pend Oreille
|
Including tributaries from mouth to South Fork. |
| San Poil River | Ferry | From above the Colville Confederated Tribe of Indians Reservation northern boundary, upstream to the headwaters, including tributaries. |
| Sherman Creek | Ferry | From the mouth at Lake Roosevelt upstream to the hatchery boat dock. |
| Sinlahekin Creek | Okanogan | From Palmer Lake upstream, and tributaries from Cecile Creek Bridge upstream. |
| Slate Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| South Salmo River | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Sullivan Creek | Pend Oreille | Including the tributaries from Mill Pond upstream. |
| Sullivan Lake Tributaries | Pend Oreille | Except those otherwise provided for. |
| Tacoma Creek | Pend Oreille | Including tributaries. |
| Tieton River, South Fork | Yakima | |
| Twisp River | Okanogan | From the mouth to War Creek. |
Grande Ronde River (Asotin County), for all portions of the river and its tributaries that are open to game fish angling; Pataha Creek (Garfield County).
5. The following waters are open only to juvenile anglers and anglers with a disability who possess a designated harvester companion card only:
| Water Body | County | Section (if applicable) |
| Columbia Basin Hatchery Creek | Grant | |
| Columbia Park Pond | Benton | |
| Dayton Pond | Columbia | |
| Goose Creek | Lincoln | Within the City limits of Wilbur. |
| Kiwanis Pond | Kittitas | |
| Ping Pond | Grant | |
| Sarge Hubbard Park Pond | Yakima |
7. Bear Lake (Spokane County):
Open only to juvenile anglers, licensed adults accompanied by a juvenile, and anglers with a disability who possess a designated harvester companion card.
8. Bonaparte Creek (Okanogan County):
Until further notice, open the Saturday before Memorial Day from the falls upstream, including all tributaries not otherwise provided for. No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
9. Burbank Slough (Walla Walla County):
It is unlawful to fish from any floating device in the area east and north of Highway 12, except for the channel east of Highway 12 up to the fish screen at the Number 3 Pumping Station.
10. Calispell Creek (Calispell River, Pend Oreille County):
Eastern brook trout daily limit is 10. Once an angler has retained 2 trout other than eastern brook trout, the entire trout daily limit has been taken. From Calispell Lake upstream to source, open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
11. Calispell Creek tributaries (Pend Oreille County):
Selective gear rules apply. Open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
12. Chelan River (Chelan County):
It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
13. Cle Elum River (Kittitas County):
It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor. From above Cle Elum Lake to the outlet of Hyas Lake (including Tucquala Lake), and all tributaries to Cle Elum River above Cle Elum Lake to outlet of Hyas Lake that are not otherwise listed in this section, open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
14. Columbia River, including impoundments and all connecting sloughs, except Wells Ponds:
(a) From McNary Dam to Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco:
(i) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(ii) From McNary Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (17 miles): Channel catfish, no limit.
(iii) Upstream from the Oregon/Washington border (which is 17 river miles upstream from McNary Dam): No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) From the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam:
(i) No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(ii) From June 16 through July 31, release sockeye.
(iii) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(c) From Priest Rapids Dam to Chief Joseph Dam:
(i) Within seasons and areas open to salmon angling, no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release all wild salmon.
(ii) No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(iii) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
15. Colville River (Stevens County):
From the mouth to the bridge at Town of Valley, walleye, no size restriction, and limit of 16 fish. All tributaries to Colville River, from the mouth to the bridge at the town of Valley, open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
16. Cooper River (Kittitas County), mouth to Cooper Lake:
It is permissible to use an internal combustion motor. Open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
17. Cougar Lake (Pasayten Wilderness, Okanogan County):
Fishing with two poles is permissible so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.
18. Cougar Lake (near Winthrop) (Okanogan County):
Open year round. From April 1 until further notice, selective gear rules apply, and it is unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
19. Gold Creek, Gold Creek Pond and Outlet Channel, tributary to Keechelus Lake (Kittitas County): Closed, including that portion of Gold Creek that flows through the dry lake bed.
20. Headgate Pond (Asotin County):
Open only to juvenile anglers, seniors, and anglers with a disability who possess a designated harvester companion card.
21. Jolanda, Lake (Chelan County): Closed.
22. Kettle River (Stevens County):
(a) Selective gear rules apply, except for juvenile anglers, from the Canadian border upstream to Highway 21 Bridge at Curlew.
(b) Kettle River mainstem from Barstow Bridge upstream, and tributaries to the Kettle River from the mouth upstream, are open from the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
23. Leader Lake (Okanogan County): Open year round.
24. Little Naches River (Yakima County), including tributaries:
Selective gear rules apply. It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
25. Okanogan River (Okanogan County):
(a) Within the mainstem or tributaries open to game fish angling: No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(c) From the mouth to Highway 97 Bridge immediately upstream of the mouth: Fishing two poles is permissible July 1 through October 15, so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement. Salmon limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release all wild salmon.
(d) From Highway 97 Bridge immediately upstream of the mouth to the highway bridge at Malott: Salmon limit 6, and no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release all wild salmon.
(e) Upstream from the highway bridge at Malott:
(i) Open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
(ii) When open for salmon, salmon limit 6, and no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release all wild salmon.
26. Palouse River (Whitman County):
From the mouth to the base of Palouse Falls:
(a) No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
27. Rattlesnake Creek (Yakima County):
It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor. Selective gear rules apply to the tributaries.
28. Roosevelt Lake (Ferry/Lincoln/Stevens counties):
Walleye has no size restriction and a daily limit of 16 fish.
29. Rufus Woods Lake (Douglas County):
(a) Closed waters from Grand Coulee Dam downstream to State Route 155 Bridge.
(b) Tributaries to Rufus Woods Lake open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
30. San Poil River (Ferry County):
It is permissible to fish for walleye in waters of the lower San Poil River from Boundary Line A upstream to Boundary Line C. Daily limit of 16 walleye, with no size restriction.
31. Scooteney Reservoir (Franklin County):
Walleye limit 8. No more than one walleye over 22 inches in length may be retained.
32. Silver Lake, North (Spokane County):
Open under statewide general rules.
33. Similkameen River (Okanogan County):
(a) Closed from 400 feet below Enloe Dam to 400 feet above Enloe Dam.
(b) From mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam: When open for salmon angling, salmon limit 6, and no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook may be retained. Release all wild salmon.
(c) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(d) From 400 feet above Enloe Dam to the Canadian border, open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
34. Snake River:
(a) Beginning June 16, an angler may retain 3 hatchery steelhead daily.
(b) No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(c) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
35. Spokane River (Spokane County):
(a) From SR 25 Bridge upstream to 400 feet below Little Falls Dam: Open year round for walleye, limit 16 fish.
(b) All tributaries not otherwise provided for are open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice.
36. Swauk Creek (Kittitas County), including tributaries:
Selective gear rules apply. It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
37. Taneum Creek (Kittitas County), including tributaries:
Selective gear rules apply. It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
38. Teanaway River (Kittitas County), and tributaries:
Selective gear rules apply. It is permissible to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor. Trout retention is permissible.
39. Tieton River, North Fork (Yakima County):
Open the Saturday before Memorial Day on the mainstem until further notice. Selective gear rules apply for the mainstem and the tributaries.
40. Touchet River (Columbia/Walla Walla County):
(a) It is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(b) From the mouth to the confluence of the North and South forks, and all tributaries open to gamefish angling within this section: No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
41. Tucannon River (Columbia/Walla Walla County):
(a) For all portions of the Tucannon River and tributaries open to game fish angling, no size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) From the mouth to Tucannon Hatchery Bridge, it is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
42. Tucquala Lake (Kittitas County):
Open the Saturday before Memorial Day until further notice. No daily limit on eastern brook trout; eastern brook trout do not count towards the trout daily limit.
43. Walla Walla River (Walla Walla County):
(a) Within the mainstem and tributaries open to game fish angling: No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) From the mouth to the state line, it is unlawful to use other than barbless hooks while fishing for salmon and steelhead.
(b) From the Touchet River upstream to the state line, all tributaries are closed except Mill Creek and the Touchet River as otherwise provided for.
44. Washburn Island Pond (Okanogan County):
An internal combustion motor may be attached to a floating device, but the motor must not be used.
45. Yakima River (Yakima County):
(a) No size restrictions or daily limit for bass, channel catfish, and walleye.
(b) From Sunnyside Dam to 3500 feet below Roza Dam, it is unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor in the portion of the river from the I-82 Bridge at Selah Gap to 3500 feet below Roza Dam.
(c) From 3500 feet below Roza Dam to 400 feet below Roza Dam, it is unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
46. Yocum Lake (Pend Oreille County):
It is unlawful to fish from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion motor.
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Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative
Code is repealed effective May 1, 2013:
| WAC 232-28-61900C | Exceptions to statewide rules -- Lake Roosevelt, San Poil and Spokane rivers. |