The WDFW Circus (Columbia Sturgeon)

[huntnphool]

 These clowns never cease to amaze me. A couple months ago they announce that the sturgeon numbers in the lower river have declined to the point that as of July 1st retention would close indefinitely.

 Okay, so if the numbers really are that bad then I agreed they should close it down for everyone including commercial, which they did, no problem.

 We make plans with some friends, the friends take vacation days, we make reservations and purchase food gear etc. for one last sturgeon weekend, which is this weekend through Monday since the kids are now going to be out of school.

 But no!!!! WDFW sends out a email today that because of the better than expected fish and catch numbers, they are going to have to cut the season short, starting the 20th...tomorrow.

 Really? They are set to close it down indefinitely at the end of the month but feel they have to make such a drastic change because the next 10 days would make that big of a detrimental impact on the future?

 The numbers are so low for the initial closure, yet there are so many fish being caught that they need to make a emergency closure?

 Talk about a bunch of BS!!!!



WDFW NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

June 19, 2013

Contact: WDFW Region 5 Office, (360) 696-6211

Columbia River sturgeon fisheries
will close this week in two areas

OLYMPIA - Anglers will be required to release any sturgeon they intercept from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to The Dalles Dam after this week under an agreement reached Tuesday by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon.

After a week of high catch rates, the two states agreed to close the retention fishery for white sturgeon at the end of the day Thursday (June 20) from Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to the Wauna power lines near Cathlamet.

They also agreed to make Friday (June 21) anglers’ last day to catch and keep sturgeon in the Bonneville Pool, which stretches from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

In both cases, the states’ action also applies to rivers flowing into those sections of the Columbia River, said Ron Roler, Columbia River policy coordinator for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"We had to close retention fishing earlier than scheduled in both areas to keep the catch within annual harvest limits," Roler said. "The combination of high catch rates and a high turnout by anglers caused the total harvest to ramp up quickly over the past week."

Based on current catch rates, the harvest below the Wauna power lines is expected to rise to within 100 fish of the 4,042-fish limit by the close of fishing Thursday, Roler said. As a result, WDFW issued an emergency rule to close the retention fishery that was previously expected to run through the end of the month.

In the Bonneville Pool, the catch is expected to rise to within 23 fish of that area’s 1,100-fish annual limit by the time the fishery closes at the end of the day Friday. By emergency rule, WDFW eliminated a final day of retention fishing previously scheduled on Saturday (June 22).

As scheduled, the retention fishery for white sturgeon in the section of the Columbia River stretching from the Wauna power lines upriver to Bonneville Dam closed June 15, leaving no areas open for catch-and-keep sturgeon fishing below The Dalles Dam after Friday.

Roler noted, however, that The Dalles and John Day pools are still open for sturgeon retention, and all areas of the Columbia River except the spawning sanctuaries will remain open for catch-and-release fishing.

Under current rules, anglers may retain one legal-size white sturgeon per day and no more than two sturgeon per year. Additional rules for Columbia River sturgeon fisheries are available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ .   

 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[cohoho]

I hear you Rob, had plans for one last eater trip above the dam, leaving Fri night and fish all day Sat and Sun below for OS...  Now too mad to even run for the OS potion..  I think you and I had similar experience a couple years ago on the lower, atleast I think it was you, got there and found out it closed at 0300hrs...   Wanna buy some Sturgeon rods and reels???  And maybe a boat??

[huntnphool]

 Its all a bunch of BS. Would leaving it open through the month, like originally planned, really effect the future of the run?

 How about leaving it open through the rest of the week, rather than one day notice. I think they are closing it tomorrow in a effort to raise revenue this weekend from those that didnt get the email. I'll bet each lower river ramp will have a gamie there writing tickets, not to mention a boat out there checking for retained fish by those that don't get the info.

 

[cem3434]

I'm in the same boat. I have a trip planned for next Friday and I'm thinking about bagging now even though I've already paid. What a joke!

[h2ofowlr]

Its all a bunch of BS. Would leaving it open through the month, like originally planned, really effect the future of the run?

 How about leaving it open through the rest of the week, rather than one day notice. I think they are closing it tomorrow in a effort to raise revenue this weekend from those that didnt get the email. I'll bet each lower river ramp will have a gamie there writing tickets, not to mention a boat out there checking for retained fish by those that don't get the info.

Less fish for the sea lions to eat.  Bummer deal.

[huntnphool]

I'm in the same boat. I have a trip planned for next Friday and I'm thinking about bagging now even though I've already paid. What a joke!

They have no real numbers to go by either. They take a few boats, record their days catch and then estimate that every boat out there did the same. 

[cohoho]

Yep, same boat for reservations Friday night in Stevenson, so will try to call tomorrow and cancel, probably lose my money.  And have no reason to go since it is cancelled Sat...  Can't imagine what the by catch will be this year from the netters and we get jerked around as sport fishermen.   Wow@!

[steeleywhopper]

Pay more for less opportunity. Its the wave of the WDFW future.

[JLS]

I think they are closing it tomorrow in a effort to raise revenue this weekend from those that didnt get the email. I'll bet each lower river ramp will have a gamie there writing tickets, not to mention a boat out there checking for retained fish by those that don't get the info.

That won't raise any revenue for the department.  Citation monies go to the counties/general fund.

[Forks]

Big changes will be coming next month if lawmakers don't come up with more WDFW budget cashola. This closure has nothing to do with that.Bummer for guys that had plans but plunking for kings and steelies can be productive.

[bullcanyon]

It is just crazy down there right now too.  Several buddies are just wacking the fish.  Limits in less than 30 minutes. Best fishing in years is what  I keep hearing. Sorry to hear about your trip.  Could still go and just change course a little and try for some steelhead.

[huntnphool]

I think they are closing it tomorrow in a effort to raise revenue this weekend from those that didnt get the email. I'll bet each lower river ramp will have a gamie there writing tickets, not to mention a boat out there checking for retained fish by those that don't get the info.

That won't raise any revenue for the department.  Citation monies go to the counties/general fund.

I didn't specify where the revenue went, I'm well versed on our state revenue steam though.

[huntnphool]

It is just crazy down there right now too.  Several buddies are just wacking the fish.  Limits in less than 30 minutes. Best fishing in years is what  I keep hearing.

And yet the need to close retention down indefinitely due to low numbers.

[singleshot12]

It's definitely frustrating, but with the amount of fishing pressure the last couple years they aren't taking any chances. The sturgeon fishery is fragile and could get depleted in very short notice. Sturgeon are fairly easy to catch and never before has sturgeon sport fishing been so popular as it is now. WDFW are planning ahead and trying to cover their butts just in case.