Presented to the WDFW

Stillaguamish River Proposed Regulation Change Proposal It is hereby proposed that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission act to amend the current regulations that allow harvesting rainbow trout on the Stillaguamish river system. It is requested that catch and release regulations be applied throughout the Stillaguamish river system and that, with exception of the North Fork between the first Saturday in June through Nov. 30th from mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge, selective gear rules be enacted throughout the Stillaguamish river system. Rational The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife currently allows the retention of trout within the Stillaguamish system. Resident rainbow trout and jack steelhead larger than 14 inches and less than 20 inches in length may legally be retained by recreational fishermen at various times and places throughout the Stillaguamish river system. Allowing the harvest of these fish is contrary to the efforts of Federal and state governments, conservation groups, local Native Americans, and sportsmen to protect an endangered species of wild anadromous fish. It has been established by the scientific community that resident rainbow trout and jack steelhead play an essential role in the successful spawning of their seagoing brethren. They are all part of the same gene pool. Removal of these fish from the river system has an enormous impact on a declining species. Changing the regulations that allow harvesting these wild fish will help mitigate the decline of wild steelhead within the Stillaguamish river system. The Evergreen Fly Fishing Club, the Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds, and The North Fork Stillaguamish River Steelhead Society have voiced their support for this regulation change. Thank you for consideration of this important issue.