Drought restrictions lifted for most Puget Sound Rivers

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

September 11, 2015

Drought restrictions lifted for most Puget Sound Rivers

Actions: Lift drought restrictions on most Puget Sound Rivers.

Species affected: All species.

Effective date: Immediately

Locations:

Open as described in the current fishing rules pamphlet:

• Snoqualmie River from the mouth to Snoqualmie Falls.
• Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.) from mouth upstream to the confluence of the North and South Forks.
• North Fork Skykomish River (Snohomish Co.) from mouth upstream including all tributaries.
• South Fork Skykomish River (Snohomish/King Co.) from Sunset Falls upstream and all tributaries, including the Beckler, Foss, Miller and Rapid rivers and their tributaries.
• Stillaguamish River (Skagit/Snohomish Co.) from Marine Drive upstream including the North and South Forks and all tributaries.
• Sauk River (Skagit/Snohomish Co.) from the confluence with the Suiattle River upstream including North Fork to the falls and South Fork to headwaters.
• Samish River (Skagit Co.) from I-5 to headwaters and Friday Creek from mouth upstream.
• Nooksack River from the Lummi Indian Reservation boundary to forks. (The Nooksack from the yellow marker at the FFA high school barn in Deming to the forks, remains closed per permanent rules until Oct.1).
• North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls and all tributaries draining into the North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls.
• Middle Fork Nooksack from mouth to the City of Bellingham Diversion Dam and all tributaries draining into the Middle Fork Nooksack from the mouth to the Diversion Dam.
• South Fork Nooksack (Whatcom Co.) from Wanlick Creek upstream, including Wanlick Creek and all tributaries (catch-and-release fly fishing only).

Other information:

The following rivers will remain closed to all fishing:

• Raging River (King Co.) from the mouth upstream.
• Suiattle River (Skagit Co.) tributaries Buck, Downey and Sulpher Creeks.
• Wallace River (Snohomish Co.) from the mouth upstream including all tributaries.
• South Fork Nooksack (Whatcom Co.) from the mouth to Skookum Creek including tributaries.

Reasons for action: Water flow and temperatures are back with the normal range for this time of year for most rivers so drought restrictions are being lifted. The Raging and Wallace rivers, and the Suiattle tributaries of Buck, Downey and Sulfur creeks, remain closed to provide additional protection to spawning Chinook. The South Fork Nooksack from the mouth to the mouth of Skookum Creek remains closed to protect spawning spring chinook and may reopen after peak spawn time.

Information contacts: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311.