FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091February 12, 2003
Fishing closures on Skagit River systemActions: The Skagit River from its mouth upstream to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete, including Fisher Slough, will close to all fishing March 1, 2003.
Effective opening and closing dates: - March 1, 2003 through March 31, 2003 - The area from the mouth upstream to the Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon) will be closed to all fishing.
- April 1, 2003 through May 31, 2003 - The area from the mouth upstream to the Memorial Highway Bridge (Highway 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon) re-open for trout, Dolly Varden and other game fish, but will remain closed to fishing for steelhead. The fishery will be open under selective gear rules, however it will be lawful to fish from a motorized vessel.
- March 1, 2003 through May 31, 2003 - The area from the State Route 536 Bridge at Mt. Vernon upstream to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete, as well as Fisher Slough from the mouth upstream to the State Route 530 Bridge, will be closed to all fishing.
Species affected: Steelhead and all other fish.
Location: Skagit River, including Fisher Slough
Reason for action: The preseason forecast for Skagit River wild winter steelhead returning this winter and spring is 6,100, slightly above the basin's escapement goal of 6,000 fish.
Other information: The area from the mouth upstream to the Memorial Hwy. Bridge (Hwy. 536 at Mt. Vernon) will be open April 1 through May 31 for trout, Dolly Varden/bull trout and other game fish. All steelhead must be released. The Skagit River and Sauk River catch-and-release seasons remain open as outlined in the 2002/2003 Fishing in Washington rules pamphlet.
Information contact: Pete Castle, District Fish Biologist, 360-466-4345, ext. 230
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations 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.
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FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091February 12, 2003
Skykomish River closes to fishingActions: The Skykomish River will close to all fishing March 1, 2003. The closure includes the spring (March and April) catch and release season.
Effective date: March 1 through May 31, 2003 Species affected: Steelhead and all other game fish.
Location: Skykomish River from its mouth to the mouth of the Wallace River.
Reason for action: The forecast for Snohomish River system wild winter steelhead returning this winter (2002/2003) is 2,500; less than 40 percent of the basin's winter steelhead spawning escapement goal of 6,500. Due to the low run size forecast this year every effort is being taken to minimize impacts on the wild run of steelhead. This closure includes catch-and-release fishing because of concerns over potential incidental hooking mortality and disturbance of spawning wild fish.
Information contact: Curt Kraemer, District Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311 ext. 101
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations 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.
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FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091February 10, 2003
Marine Areas 9, 12 close to crab fishing March 1 Actions: The recreational crab fishery in Marine Area 12 and the portion of Marine Area 9 north of the Hood Canal Bridge and south of a line from Olele Point to Foulweather Bluff will close March 1, 2003, until further notice.
Effective date: 12:01 am, March 1, 2003
Species affected: Dungeness and red rock crab
Location: All waters of Marine Area 12 and the portion of Marine Area 9 north of the Hood Canal Bridge and south of a line from Olele Point to Foulweather Bluff.
Reason for action: Recreational quotas for Dungeness crab have been reached in Marine Area 12 and 9.
Other information: The following Marine Areas remain closed to crab fishing: 8-1, 8-2, 10, and the portion of 9 north and east of a line from Olele Point to Foulweather Bluff.
Information contact: Rich Childers, Point Whitney (360) 586-1498 ext 400; Norm Lemberg, LaConner District Office, (360) 466-4345 ext. 240; or Don Velasquez, Mill Creek Regional Office, (425) 775-1311 ext. 112.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations 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.
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FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091February 12, 2003
Stillaguamish River system closes to fishing Actions: Beginning March 1, 2003, the Stillaguamish River mainstem downstream of the Warm Beach-Stanwood Highway will close to fishing for steelhead and the North Fork Stillaguamish River from mouth to the Swede Heaven Bridge will close to all fishing. The closures include the March through May catch-and-release season on the North Fork Stillaguamish River.
Effective closure date:- March 1, 2003 through May 31, 2003 - Stillaguamish River mainstem downstream of the Warm Beach-Stanwood Highway closed to fishing for steelhead.
- March 1, 2003 through May 31, 2003 - North Fork Stillaguamish River from mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge, closed to all fishing.
Species affected: Steelhead and all other fish.
Location: Mainstem Stillaguamish River and all sloughs downstream of Warm Beach-Stanwood Highway, and the North Fork Stillaguamish mouth to Swede Heaven Bridge.
Reason for action: The forecast for Stillaguamish River wild winter steelhead returning this winter (2002/2003) is expected to be less than 50 percent of escapement needs. The season closures will eliminate hooking mortality and disruption of spawning of wild steelhead.
Information contact: Curt Kraemer, District Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311 ext. 101
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations 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.
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