FISHING -- Extremely low returns of steelhead this season have prompted Washington to restrict steelhead fishing to catch-and-release on the main Snake River this season.
In some Snake tributaries, such as the Grande Ronde, the emergency rules will allow a daily limit of one adipose fin-clipped hatchery steelhead.
The rules are posted on the agency's fishing regulations webpage. They go into effect on Friday, Sept. 1, and will continue until further notice.
Idaho already has enacted emergency catch-and-release rules for steelheading in state waters as the ocean-going rainbows are setting records or near records for low returns up the Columbia and Snake rivers. Recent drought years and poor ocean conditions are major factors.
Idaho already has enacted emergency catch-and-release rules for steelheading in state waters as the ocean-going rainbows are setting records or near records for low returns up the Columbia and Snake rivers. Recent drought years and poor ocean conditions are major factors.
On the Grande Ronde and Touchet rivers, Washington's new rules will:
- Reduce the daily limit on steelhead to one hatchery fish.
- Close fishing to steelhead in all tributaries.
- Remove mandatory hatchery steelhead retention rule.
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