Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-358-030, WAC 220-358-040, and WAC 220-335-050, it is unlawful for a person to take or possess salmon, sturgeon, and shad for commercial purposes from Columbia River Salmon Management and Catch Reporting Areas 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and Select Areas, except during the times and conditions listed below:

(a) Area:

The Tongue Point Winter-Spring Subarea is defined as waters of the Columbia River bounded by a line from the end of the southern-most pier (#1) at the Tongue Point Job Corps facility projecting in a straight line through flashing red USCG light "6" to the shore of Mott Island, a line from a regulatory marker at the southeast end of Mott Island northeasterly to a regulatory marker on the northwest shore of Lois Island, and a line from a regulatory marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 300 yards northwest of the railroad bridge crossing the John Day River projecting easterly to a regulatory marker on the southwest shore of Lois Island. If the marker on the Oregon shore is not in place, the upper boundary is defined by a line projecting easterly from a point (46°10'57.7"N latitude 123°44'35.3"W longitude) on the Oregon shore approximately 300 yards northwest of the railroad bridge crossing the John Day River to a regulatory marker on the southwest shore of Lois Island.

For summer fisheries, the open waters include the entire Tongue Point Select Area as described in OAR 635-042-0170 (1)(a) and WAC 220-301-010 (11)(c). If the marker on the eastern shore of Tongue Point is not in place, the downstream boundary is defined by a line projecting from a point (46°12'31.1"N latitude 123°45'34.0"W longitude) on the eastern shore of Tongue Point to the flashing green USCG light "3" on the rock jetty at the northwest tip of Mott Island.

The South Channel Select Area is defined as waters of the Columbia River bounded by a line from a regulatory marker on the Oregon shore at John Day Point projecting northeasterly to a regulatory marker on the southwest shore of Lois Island, and a line from a regulatory marker on Settler Point projecting northwesterly to the flashing red USCG light "10" then projecting westerly to the eastern tip of Burnside Island.

(b) Gear: Gillnets:

Winter season (Through Apr 18): 7-inch minimum mesh size restriction

Spring and Summer seasons (Apr 20 - Jun 18): 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh size restriction

The maximum net length is 1,500 feet (250 fathoms).

In the Tongue Point winter-spring subarea and the Tongue Point Select Area, the lead line weight may not exceed two pounds per any one fathom;

In the South Channel Select Area, there is no lead line weight limit and attachment of additional weight and anchors directly to the lead line is permitted.

(a) Area:

The Blind Slough Select Area is defined as waters of Blind Slough and Gnat Creek from a north-south line represented by regulatory markers at the mouth of Blind Slough upstream to a regulatory marker in Gnat Creek located approximately 0.5 miles southeasterly (upstream) of the Barendse Road Bridge.

The Knappa Slough Select Area is defined as waters of Knappa Slough, Calendar Slough, and Big Creek Slough bounded to the north (upstream) by a line projecting from a regulatory marker on the eastern shore of Karlson Island to the northernmost regulatory marker at the mouth of Blind Slough and bounded to the west (downstream) by a line projecting southerly from a regulatory marker on the southwestern tip of Karlson Island through regulatory markers on the western tips of Minaker Island to a marker on the Oregon shore.

The waters of Knappa Slough within a 100-foot radius of the railroad bridge crossing Big Creek are closed. Prior to May 3, the western (downstream) boundary in Knappa Slough is a north-south line projecting through the easternmost tip of Minaker Island and regulatory markers on Karlson Island and the Oregon shore.

(b) Gear: Gillnets:

Winter season (through Apr 15): 7-inch minimum mesh size restriction.

Spring and Summer seasons (Apr 19 - Jun 18): 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh size restriction.

The maximum net length is 600 feet (100 fathoms).

There is no lead line weight limit and attachment of additional weight or anchors directly to the lead line is permitted.

(c) Miscellaneous:

Permanent transportation rules in effect. In accordance with WACs 220-69-230 (1)(i) and 220-22-010 (9)(a-b), commercial fishers are expected, and fish dealers are required, to report landings for winter-summer fisheries in Knappa Slough and Blind Slough separately using appropriate zone codes. Fish dealers are requested to keep landings from these two sites separate to aid in sampling.

(a) Area:

From the mouth of Deep River defined as a line from USCG navigation marker #16 southwest to a marker on the Washington shore, upstream to the Highway 4 Bridge.

(b) Gear: Gillnets:

Winter season (through Apr 1): 7-inch minimum mesh size restriction.

Spring and Summer seasons (Apr 19 - Jun 15): 9 3/4-inch maximum mesh size restriction.

The maximum net length is 600 feet (100 fathoms).

There is no lead line weight limit and attachment of additional weight or anchors directly to the lead line is permitted.

Nets may not fully cross navigation channel. It is unlawful to operate in any river, stream, or channel any net longer than three-fourths the width of the stream (WAC 220-20-015(1)). It shall be unlawful in any area to use, operate, or carry aboard a commercial fishing vessel a licensed net or combination of nets, whether fishing singly or separately, in excess of the maximum lawful size or length prescribed for a single net in that area, except as otherwise provided for in the rules and regulations of the department WAC 220-20-010 (17).

(c) Miscellaneous:

Transportation or possession of fish outside the fishing area (except to the sampling station) is unlawful until WDFW staff has biologically sampled individual catches. After sampling, fishers will be issued a transportation permit by WDFW staff.

Winter season: fishers are required to call 360-846-5268 or 360-795-0319 to confirm the place and time of sampling.

Spring season: a sampling station will be established at WDFW's Oneida Road boat ramp, about 0.5 miles upstream of the Deep River area downstream boundary (USCG navigation marker #16).

(4) Allowable Sales: Salmon (except Chum), white sturgeon, and shad. A maximum of three white sturgeon with a fork length of 44-50 inches may be possessed or sold by each participating vessel during each calendar week (Sunday through Saturday). The white sturgeon possession and sales limit includes all Select Area fisheries.

(5) 24-hour quick reporting is in effect for Washington buyers (WAC 220-352-315). Permanent transportation rules in effect. Oregon buyers are required to submit fish receiving tickets electronically pursuant to OAR 635-006-0210. Unique catch reporting codes have been established for Blind Slough and Knappa Slough to facilitate separation of landings and sampling for winter/spring fisheries. Blind Slough and Knappa Slough have unique catch reporting codes to facilitate separation of landings and sampling for winter/spring fisheries.

(6) Multi-Net Rule: Nets not specifically authorized for use in these areas may be onboard a vessel if properly stored. A properly stored net is defined as a net on a drum that is fully covered by a tarp (canvas or plastic) and bound with a minimum of ten revolutions of rope with a diameter of 3/8 (0.375) inches or greater (WAC 220-358-030(2)).

(7) Lighted Buoys: Nets that are fished at any time between official sunset and official sunrise must have lighted buoys on both ends of the net unless the net is attached to the boat. If the net is attached to the boat, then one lighted buoy on the opposite end of the net from the boat is required.

Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.