WDFW Fishing Rule Change: Fishing closed in areas of Nooksak River Basin due to

[jackelope]

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

August 27, 2015

Fishing closed in areas of Nooksak River Basin due to drought

Action: Closes current seasons for game fish, and upcoming salmon seasons in select areas of the Nooksack Basin.

Species affected: All species.

Location:
1.North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to North Fork Falls
2.All tributaries draining into the North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to North Fork Falls
3.The Middle Fork Nooksack from mouth to the City of Bellingham Diversion Dam
4.All tributaries draining into the Middle Fork Nooksack from the mouth to the Diversion Dam
5.The mainstem Nooksack from Slater Road to the forks.

Effective dates: Immediately until further notice.

Previously announced restrictions and closures remain in effect on the following Nooksack Basin reaches and tributaries:
1.South Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Skookum Creek.
2.South Fork Nooksack from Wanlick Creek upstream, including Wanlick Creek and all tributaries.

Reasons for action: Nooksack spring chinook are experiencing high pre-spawn mortality rates and cannot enter the South Fork Nooksack due to extremely low flows and high water temperatures.

Other information: Anglers are reminded that the South Fork Nooksack from Skookum Creek to Wanlick Creek is closed by permanent rules. Angling for salmon and gamefish will reopen as listed in the Sport Fishing Rules 2015/2016 pamphlet edition, FISHING IN WASHINGTON, in the above described reaches when the concern has passed, or when spring chinook spawning is completed.

Information Contact: Brett Barkdull 360-466-4345 x 270 barkdbcb@dfw.wa.gov

[JackOfAllTrades]

Water clarity in the main of the Nook is terrible anyway. Although some guys have been landing some fish.


Still, all this talk about water temp, easy to blame things on. Flows are down on the forks, but the main is fine.


Temps are only a few degrees above last year.


http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/dv?cb_00010=on&cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_default&site_no=12210700&referred_module=sw&period=&begin_date=2015-06-01&end_date=2015-08-26


-Steve

[jackelope]

Correction.....!!!
WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

CORRECTION: Corrects reference to Nooksack Falls.

August 27, 2015

Fishing closed in areas of Nooksack River Basin due to drought

Action: Closes current seasons for game fish, and upcoming salmon seasons in select areas of the Nooksack Basin.

Species affected: All species.

Location:
1.North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls
2.All tributaries draining into the North Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Nooksack Falls
3.The Middle Fork Nooksack from mouth to the City of Bellingham Diversion Dam
4.All tributaries draining into the Middle Fork Nooksack from the mouth to the Diversion Dam
5.The mainstem Nooksack from Slater Road to the forks.

Effective dates: Immediately until further notice.

Previously announced restrictions and closures remain in effect on the following Nooksack Basin reaches and tributaries:
1.South Fork Nooksack from the mouth to Skookum Creek.
2.South Fork Nooksack from Wanlick Creek upstream, including Wanlick Creek and all tributaries.

Reasons for action: Nooksack spring chinook are experiencing high pre-spawn mortality rates and cannot enter the South Fork Nooksack due to extremely low flows and high water temperatures.

Other information: Anglers are reminded that the South Fork Nooksack from Skookum Creek to Wanlick Creek is closed by permanent rules. Angling for salmon and gamefish will reopen as listed in the Sport Fishing Rules 2015/2016 pamphlet edition, FISHING IN WASHINGTON, in the above described reaches when the concern has passed, or when spring chinook spawning is completed.

Information Contact: Brett Barkdull 360-466-4345 x 270 barkdbcb@dfw.wa.gov

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules 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.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I saw a guy fishing the Nook at Lynden yesterday evening.  I had a loaded utility trailer or I would have stopped and told him before he got a citation...

-Steve

[Oldguy]

Good planning on the WDFW's timing on the closure. Send out an email at 11:28 AM when the fishermen are already on the river instead of closing it at the end of the day.  I was immediately breaking the law without even being aware of it. There has to be a better way like maybe a couple of days warning to allow the word to get out.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I think...  Well, I know, every enforcement officer has the option to inform and not write a citation. Meetings of the minds happen and decisions are made during the business day. I would think that dusk of that day would be an acceptable start. Even at that, I hope there's a bit of a grace period implied.

-Steve