Stillaguamish Steelhead Society Blog: December 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

2009-12-17

WDFW Fishing Rule Change: Portion of the North Fork Stillaguamish River will close to fishing WDFW Public Affairs Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM
To: gregory minaker
DFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
December 17, 2009

Portion of the North Fork Stillaguamish River will close to fishing

Action: Closes a portion of the North Fork Stillaguamish River.

Effective dates: Dec. 21, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010.

Species affected: All game fish.
Location: North Fork Stillaguamish River, downstream from the Whitehorse Bridge approximately 4 river miles to the French Creek confluence. This closure includes the Whitehorse Hatchery effluent and Fortson Hole area of the North Fork Stillaguamish.

Reasons for action: The Whitehorse Hatchery facility is significantly below its egg-take requirements that are needed to achieve the release target of 140,000 hatchery steelhead smolts. The closure of the fishery in this area is necessary in order to collect sufficient fish to meet broodstock needs.

Other information: That portion of the North Fork Stillaguamish River is scheduled to re-open to recreational fishing Feb. 1, 2010. However, if spawning goals are met before then, the department could re-open the river earlier.

Information Contact: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 Fish Biologist, 425-775-1311 ext. 107, whitnjlw@dfw.wa.gov

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.