Trout Rules

[Sneaky]

Is it true that in some lakes if you catch a 20" or better rainbow you hafta turn it back because its a "steelhead"? I've heard this from numerous people but can't find it in the rule book

[robodad]

Here is the way I interpret this, and please correct me if I am wrong but here is my take,

If you are fishing a lake and under the "additional rules" for that lake it does NOT specify anything regarding steelhead then you can keep 2 trout over the 20" mark the other 3 trout must be under 20" and above the minimum. In some cases like Lake Sammamish during certain times you have to release trout over 20" and in almost all cases your first 5 (or whatever the daily limit is) must be counted as your daily limit no matter if you keep them or not !!!

Hope that helps if even a little !!! 

[walt]

Robodad is right on except that if the lake does not specify steelhead in the special rules there is no maximum size limit. (all 5 could be over 20")  Also your first 5 must be kept if you are fishing with bait.  Catch-and-release for trout is only allowed with artificial flies or lures.

[jackelope]

IMO you really need to watch this reg more in rivers than in lakes...but it does hold true for both. a lot of lakes and rivers have different regs so it's always best to get your lawyer to interpret  our regs for the specific water you decide to fish.

[Fishhunt223]

And the fish only count as part of your daily limit if they are legal to keep... I think.
Travis

[robodad]

Robodad is right on except that if the lake does not specify steelhead in the special rules there is no maximum size limit. (all 5 could be over 20")  Also your first 5 must be kept if you are fishing with bait.  Catch-and-release for trout is only allowed with artificial flies or lures.

(all 5 could be over 20")

But only 2 of them can be rainbows/steelhead !!

Because at 20" they become steelhead and fall under the statewide rules for size and daily limit on all the lakes

[walt]

Right if the special rules regulate steelhead.  Steelhead are sea run rainbows.  Many lakes have triploid rainbows that exceed 20" and it is legal to keep 5 as long as they are not classified as steelhead and statewide rules permit.