WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov June 24, 2011
Bonneville Pool re-opens to sturgeon retention
Action: The sport fishery for white sturgeon between Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River will open to retention for six additional days.
Effective date:
12:01 a.m., June 30 through July 2, 2011 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and
12:01 a.m., July 7 through July 9, 2011 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).
Species affected: White sturgeon.
Location: The Columbia River and tributaries from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam.
Reason for action: The Bonneville Pool harvest guideline of 2,000 white sturgeon was not reached during the regular season, which closed February 19, 2011. A balance of 373 fish remains on the guideline.
Other information: Staff will continue to closely monitor catch as the season continues, and modify the season if necessary to remain within the catch guideline.
The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between The Dalles Dam and John Day Dam remains open to sturgeon retention until the harvest guideline in that area is reached. Approximately 150 fish remain on the guideline for that area. The section of the Columbia River and tributaries between John Day Dam and McNary Dam is closed to retention of white sturgeon. Catch and release of sturgeon is still allowed in this area. The spawning sanctuaries in John Day Pool from the Highway 395/I-82 bridge upstream 1.5 miles to McNary Dam and in The Dalles Pool from the Rufus grain elevator upstream 2.4 miles to John Day Dam are closed to all sturgeon fishing May 1 through July 31.
Information contact: Dennis Gilliland, (360) 906-6733.
