WSR 25-03-130
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-11—Filed January 21, 2025, 12:33 p.m., effective February 1, 2025]
Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2025.
Purpose: This emergency rule opens recreational steelhead seasons in portions of Skagit and Sauk rivers.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-040.
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 Skagit River wild steelhead preseason forecast is 7,019 steelhead. In accordance with the Skagit steelhead resource management plan, the expected runsize is sufficient to offer catch-and-release opportunity while staying within conservation guidelines. 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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: January 21, 2025.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-312-04000FFreshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Puget Sound.
Effective February 1 through April 15, 2025, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-040 regarding steelhead seasons for the Skagit River and the Sauk River from the mouth to the Darrington Bridge, shall be as described below. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-040 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Skagit River (Skagit County): From the Dalles Bridge in the town of Concrete to the Cascade River Road Bridge in Marblemount:
Steelhead open daily:
(a) Catch and release, except daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead;
(b) Selective Gear Rules in effect;
(c) Night closure in effect;
(d) Fishing from a vessel under power is prohibited;
(e) All gamefish species other than steelhead are closed to fishing for or retaining.
(2) Sauk River (Skagit/Snohomish counties): From the mouth to the Darrington Bridge:
Steelhead open daily:
(a) Catch and release, except daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead;
(b) Selective Gear Rules in effect;
(c) Night closure in effect;
(d) Fishing from a vessel equipped with any motor is prohibited;
(e) All gamefish species other than steelhead are closed to fishing for or retaining.