Just a quick question that can probably be easily answered. I am going to use Cedar Creek, a tributary to the NF Lewis, as an example for all creeks.
In the regulations it says that "trout" are fishable June 1 to March 15. and that "other game fish" are fishable from June 1 to March 15. It never says anything about salmon fishing.
In the "statewide general freshwater rules" it states that the rules and seasons apply UNLESS listed otherwise in the special rules.
Under "seasons" it states "...and CLOSED to fishing for salmon, dolly varden/bull trout and grass carp." So this means that it is closed to salmon fishing... unless it is a game fish.
Under "statewide general definitions" it says that gamefish include trout(steelhead and kokanee), and LANDLOCKED chinook, coho, and atlantic salmon. That means that any river salmon is considered a food fish.
And... becasue salmon are defined as a food fish there is no salmon fishing in Cedar Creek. I want to be sure of this because I know some people who were fishing Cedar Creek for salmon and told me it was open. I disagreed. To prove my point, I am looking here for the correct answer. And... this type of situation applies to ALL creeks, rivers, and streams that have these regulations on them, correct?
My interest was sparked on this subject again last night, when I was reading a past article out of Fishing and Hunting News, and saw a picture of a kid holding a salmon that he caught out of Cedar Creek. So, I am confused, please clear me up on this subject!
Matt
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Fishing... Not just a sport, not just an obsession, just one strong INSTINCT.