Post by: huntnphool on June 19, 2013, 07:15:26 PM
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. :tup:
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. :bash:
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/ (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/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/) .
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on June 19, 2013, 07:19:35 PM
Post by: cohoho on June 19, 2013, 07:20:18 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 19, 2013, 08:44:24 PM
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.
Post by: cem3434 on June 19, 2013, 08:54:09 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on June 19, 2013, 08:55:47 PM
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.
Post by: huntnphool on June 19, 2013, 09:04:10 PM
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. :bash:
Post by: cohoho on June 19, 2013, 10:13:13 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on June 20, 2013, 02:06:44 AM
Post by: JLS on June 20, 2013, 02:11:21 AM
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.
Post by: Forks on June 20, 2013, 04:21:24 AM
Post by: bullcanyon on June 20, 2013, 05:04:43 AM
Post by: huntnphool on June 20, 2013, 10:00:19 AM
I didn't specify where the revenue went, I'm well versed on our state revenue steam though. ;)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.
Post by: huntnphool on June 20, 2013, 10:03:32 AM
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. :chuckle:
Post by: singleshot12 on June 20, 2013, 01:17:51 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 20, 2013, 04:35:30 PM
The sturgeon fishery is fragile and could get depleted in very short notice.Not in the next 10 days!!!
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on June 20, 2013, 04:55:27 PM
Not sure thats the smart thing to do. Seems we need to see the big pic first. Not give in due to one good opener after so many bad ones in a row.
Its fustrating for sure. Had some days booked with Ron Holt that will not happen now. I have been in Illwaco 2 weeks in a row now working on boats and reports have been killing me as Im right there. Now I have the time and the fishery is closed.
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 21, 2013, 11:32:09 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 22, 2013, 12:02:21 AM
This year is definitely not like recent years were they were late and the seasons got extended. This year has been like years ago. With catch and keep rates at 174 fish per day avarage they would exceed the quota by 1700 fish if they let it run its coarse.Nobody suggested giving in. Leaving it open as originally planned, through the end of the month when they are closing it indefinitely after, certainly wouldn't have caused a devastating impact!
Not sure thats the smart thing to do. Seems we need to see the big pic first. Not give in due to one good opener after so many bad ones in a row.
Its fustrating for sure. Had some days booked with Ron Holt that will not happen now. I have been in Illwaco 2 weeks in a row now working on boats and reports have been killing me as Im right there. Now I have the time and the fishery is closed.
Post by: Curly on June 22, 2013, 07:29:36 AM
Post by: cohoho on June 22, 2013, 08:12:20 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 22, 2013, 08:15:27 PM
Spent all day in stomping grounds for OS Sturgeon, not a take down, not a nibble, not a bite.... Same area - always catch OS, hit ten anchor spots, same results... No guides fishing and this time of year they always were hitting these spots.. Hmmmmmm..They are all belly up, floating down the river with radiation poisoning. :rolleyes:
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 22, 2013, 10:27:06 PM
Post by: singleshot12 on June 23, 2013, 08:23:55 AM
Thank you wdfw you are protecting the future , for my children. I am glad i have pics of all fish and game animals i have harvested in the state of washington. Now my kids can see what i was privelaged to see. You suck.
I agree! more could of been done to protect them from the poachers,nets,and sea lions. Now our kids can only hear the stories of what we had
Post by: washingtonmuley on June 23, 2013, 08:36:44 AM
Here is another thought: Kill a thousand or so sealions and help save the sturgeon numbers. :twocents::yeah:
Post by: cohoho on June 23, 2013, 10:33:52 AM
Ok probably not but thought about it... Looks like any C&R fishing for them I will be hitting the Willamette 100%....
Post by: Wacenturion on June 23, 2013, 10:40:46 AM
Pay more for less opportunity. Its the wave of the WDFW future.
Got that right...all across the board.
Post by: Gringo31 on June 24, 2013, 11:17:30 AM
A 500 fish catch in 2 days does seem like a lot of fish!
Post by: huntnphool on June 24, 2013, 11:27:24 AM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf)And yet the number of fish are so low it requires a indefinite closure from here on. :tup:
A 500 fish catch in 2 days does seem like a lot of fish!
Post by: wsucowboy on June 24, 2013, 01:07:35 PM
Pay more for less opportunity. Its the wave of the WDFW future.:yeah:
Post by: TONTO on June 24, 2013, 10:08:41 PM
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/crc/2013/crc18jun13_fact.pdf)And yet the number of fish are so low it requires a indefinite closure from here on. :tup:
A 500 fish catch in 2 days does seem like a lot of fish!
And just like last year the Willamette quota will get caught the first day and shut down. Not too bad for such low fish numbers.
Post by: Gringo31 on June 25, 2013, 08:17:24 AM