Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead endorsement no longer required beginning Jul

[Ridgeratt]

OLYMPIA — Anglers who fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin will no longer be required to purchase an endorsement to do so beginning July 1.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has collected an $8.75 annual fee — known as the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement — from anglers to fish for salmon and steelhead in the region since 2010. The department has used revenue from the endorsement to monitor and enforce fisheries in the Columbia River Basin.
WDFW’s legislative authority to implement the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement ends June 30. Anglers are still required under state law to obtain an endorsement to fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River until July 1. The department will not be issuing refunds as anglers have had opportunity to use the endorsement and it remains a state requirement through June 30.

A valid fishing license — a freshwater, combination, or Fish Washington license — is required at all times to fish the Columbia River. The agency is also working on modifying the Fish Washington license package, which includes the endorsement.
In order to have fisheries in waters such as the Columbia River where there are fish protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, WDFW is required to closely monitor those fisheries and enforce regulations.
The department is assessing how the loss of revenue from the endorsement will affect salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Columbia basin once the endorsement expires, said Kelly Susewind, WDFW director. That could mean changes to salmon and steelhead fisheries this fall and next spring.

“The endorsement provided needed funding for monitoring and enforcement activities,” Susewind said. “We’re evaluating our path forward with these fisheries, which not only provide good opportunities for anglers but also significant economic benefits to communities in the Columbia River Basin.”
WDFW had requested that the Legislature extend the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement through June 2023. However, the Legislature did not reauthorize the endorsement, allowing it to expire at the end of June.


 

So for everyone who has purchased the Endorsement to fish Springers since your license is valid from May 1st.  They thank you for the donation.

[RockChuck]

I bought it and probably won’t even fish until after jul 1!!

[Bullkllr]

So I need to buy one to fish a couple tribs that open Memorial Day weekend...but only need it for a month...

[plugger]

ya, im in that boat. Got it, wont need it. Only fish it a couple weeks in late September.

[gaddy]

Got mine when I got this years license, wasted some money I guess. And they are no longer going to require barb-less hooks ? Will still use them for steel-head for easy release of
uncliped fish (notice I did not use Hatchery or wild there?)

[Utah]

I wonder how much they will charge for a fishing license in 2020 to make up for the loss?  They cannot be trusted. WDFW and Idaho couldn't manage a 55 Gallon tank in our front room.

[KFhunter]

They explained it in the webinar, since the killer whales are such a big deal, and Inslee gave WDFW a bunch of unfunded mandates...

they'll be looking for addtl funding where ever they can find it

[Axle]

They cannot be trusted. WDFW and Idaho couldn't manage a 55 Gallon tank in our front room.

What are you talking about!?
Sure they can - as long as it's filled with mosquito larvae.

[Utah]

They cannot be trusted. WDFW and Idaho couldn't manage a 55 Gallon tank in our front room.

What are you talking about!?
Sure they can - as long as it's filled with mosquito larvae.

Ill bet you they F that up too!      They don't work for us.    Hang 'em!     

[spoonman]

Very convenient for them to make that a rule change for just a couple months after you need to buy your license if you want to fish!?!? Just another way WDFW has screwed the sportsman!

[bigtex]

Very convenient for them to make that a rule change for just a couple months after you need to buy your license if you want to fish!?!? Just another way WDFW has screwed the sportsman!

This was the legislature's fault. That's the problem with having a budget year for the state different then a license year.

[Special T]

They explained it in the webinar, since the killer whales are such a big deal, and Inslee gave WDFW a bunch of unfunded mandates...

they'll be looking for addtl funding where ever they can find it

I belive this is the rub that there is no good solution to. The department is constantly given unfunded mandates and short window funding to take care of it. Sportsmen make up less of the budget and get less consideration for our contributions.

I personally feel the Director is sending hunters the right signals. The bear rule change being one of them. Acknowledging the fact that wolves may be federally delisted next year is another. I'm going to hang tight supporting him. I know lots of fishermen arnt to happy with him, but as a hunter I'm certain if we loose him most chances for predator control reform  go with him.

I have to admit that the inside baseball details of the fishing side is too much for me to follow and makes my head hurt.

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[Stein]

As long as there are closed door meetings where deals are made they are demonstrating they can’t be trusted.


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[2MANY]

Pathetic.

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Originally, they said that endorsement was for research to find alternatives to gill netting. When the Oregon director was all about gill netting I stopped getting the endorsement. Looks like night fishing blue creek is back on. Lol

[Taco280AI]

I haven't read everything, but I don't get it... the state increases fees, people complain. The state says we're going to get rid of this fee, and yet people still complain! Y'all are impossible to satisfy.

[RockChuck]

I’m glad they are reducing the cost but not to happy that I bought it already and it will not be needed this year.

[Stein]

It isn’t a simple fee drop, it’s a trade for quota, nets are back in favor in the main stem.


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[WSU]

It isn’t a simple fee drop, it’s a trade for quota, nets are back in favor in the main stem.


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That's a main reason why sporties got the bill killed in the legislature.  WDFW needs to stop expecting us to pay more for less.