[Order 24-276—Filed December 2, 2024, 8:43 a.m., effective December 2, 2024, 8:43 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this emergency rule is to implement steelhead conservation measures in Willapa Bay tributaries. This rule will require the release of wild rainbow trout and will implement selective gear rules (except only one single point barbless hook allowed) in all waters listed within the text of this filing. Additionally, this rule will open or extend game fish seasons in portions of Palix River, North River, Willapa River South Fork, Smith Creek, Naselle River South, and Salmon Creek.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-312-020.
Reasons for this Finding: This emergency rule is necessary to protect wild steelhead stocks. Coastal wild steelhead runs have seen a negative trend for many years. Although there has been a recent increase in these populations, returns are still below long-term averages. Forecasts this year provide some additional opportunities, but precaution is necessary. The rules contained in this filing are expected to result in a reduction of wild steelhead encounters relative to permanent rules in place.
Enacting these rules follows an extensive public engagement process, which included a two-part virtual town hall series during fall 2024. Hundreds of people joined the Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers during these virtual meetings, and many provided feedback on WDFW's coastal steelhead management web page through an online portal.
Tribal comanagers along the coast have also taken similar steps alongside WDFW to advance recovery of wild steelhead.
WDFW continues to operate under its statewide steelhead management plan, which requires WDFW to prioritize the sustainability of wild coastal steelhead runs by focusing on healthy levels of abundance, productivity, diversity, and distribution.
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Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.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: December 2, 2024.
Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025, the following provisions of WAC 220-312-020, regarding gamefish seasons, wild rainbow trout retention, and gear and hook restrictions in Willapa Bay tributaries shall be modified as described herein. All areas described as Closed Waters in WAC 220-312-020 remain Closed Waters. All other provisions of WAC 220-312-020 not addressed herein, or unless otherwise amended by emergency rule, remain in effect:
(1) Bear River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to Longview Fiber Bridge: Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(2) Naselle River (Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 101 Bridge to the North Fork: Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(3) Naselle River, South (Pacific Co.), from the mouth to Bean Creek: Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(4) Nemah River, Middle (Pacific Co.): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(5) Nemah River, North (Pacific Co.), from Hwy. 101 Bridge to Cruiser Creek: Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(6) Nemah River, South (Pacific Co.): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(7) North River (Grays Harbor/Pacific Co.), from the Hwy. 105 bridge to Raimie Creek: Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(8) Palix River (Pacific Co.): From Hwy. 101 Bridge upstream and all forks (including South fork Palix River and Canon River): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(9) Salmon Creek (Pacific/Wahkiakum Co.): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(10) Smith Creek (near North River) (Pacific Co.): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.
(11) Willapa River (Pacific Co.):
(a) From mouth (City of South Bend boat launch) to WDFW access at mouth of Ward/Wilson Creek: Effective immediately, through January 31, 2025:
(i) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(ii) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(b) From the WDFW access at mouth of Ward/Wilson Creek to Hwy. 6 Bridge (near the town of Lebam): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(i) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(ii) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(12) Willapa River, South Fork (Pacific Co.): Effective immediately, through March 31, 2025:
(a) All species: Selective Gear Rules in effect, except only 1 single-point barbless hook is allowed.
(b) Trout: Statewide minimum size and daily limit, except cutthroat trout minimum size 14 inches. Release wild rainbow trout.
(c) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size and daily limit.