Way back, almost before Rivrguy, WDF had a couple of snag fisheries for hatchery coho. Expressly in the regs in limited sections of the river near the hatchery. I does make sense if you have met egg take and would rather have somebody take them home rather than go to carcass and egg sales. I have also heard that, at one time, Idaho gave surplus salmon to folks who came to the hatchery.

It may not be "fishing" but when surplus occurs what should they do? More fisheries in the mixed stock areas just aren't in the cards. Excessive surpluses is why WDF went to mass marking.