Was on the Sno this morning when the closed it. They closed from plumbs landing upstream including tokul creek and they also closed the Sky around the reiter area.

That's too bad.. Is it due to low returns of hatchery fish, or anticipated low returns for natives??

This is from the WDF Web Site.

Looks like WDF no longer feels the "fish are just late".

Hope they haven't waited too long to do this and can still meet spawning needs for a future season.

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January 18, 2000
Contact: Bob Leland, (360) 902-2817

Fishing for hatchery steelhead closed in several areas

Fishing for hatchery winter steelhead closed Jan. 16 in four areas, the Washington department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced.

The closure was imposed because relatively few hatchery fish have returned to WDFW hatcheries at Tokul Creek, Reiter Ponds and Marblemount, creating a shortage of eggs for future fish rearing.

Closed areas are:

The Snoqualmie River from Snoqualmie Falls downstream to Plum Access boat launch ramp (approximately a quarter-mile downstream from the mouth of Tokul Creek)

Tokul Creek from the mouth to the posted cable boundary marker approximately 700 feet upstream The Skykomish River from 1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet downstream from Reiter Ponds outlet

The Cascade River from its mouth to the Rockport-Cascade Road Bridge

The areas are expected to re-open for hatchery steelhead fishing March 1, or earlier if egg take needs are met.

Meanwhile, WDFW earlier announced that fishers will be required to release wild steelhead beginning Jan. 16 in sections of the Snohomish and Stillaguamish river systems.

Fishers are reminded to check the WDFW fishing hotline at (360) 796-3215 for information on emergency rule changes.

Talked to a hatchery person this morning who said they only had 90 some fish back at tokul and they needed 200+ for spawning purposes. Same situation at reiter. Same problem they are having on the green this year.