Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 04:51:05 AM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
December 29, 2016
Contact: Chris Donley, 509-892-7861
New fishing rules in effect on Lake Roosevelt
to protect redband rainbow trout
SPOKANE – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds Lake Roosevelt anglers that new fishing rules are in effect to protect wild native redband rainbow trout on Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane and Sanpoil Arms of the 150-mile reservoir.
Anglers must now release any trout with an intact adipose fin in Lake Roosevelt from Grand Coulee Dam to the Little Dalles power line crossing. Only hatchery-produced trout, marked with a clipped adipose fin, can be retained. The daily catch limit is still five trout, not including kokanee. But there is no longer a limit on how many of those fish can exceed 20 inches, as is currently indicated in the WDFW fishing rules pamphlet.
The same new rule is in effect on the Spokane Arm and Sanpoil Arm of Lake Roosevelt.
In addition, from the Little Dalles power line crossing to the Canadian border, the daily catch limit is now only two trout (marked hatchery or unmarked wild), with a minimum size of 18 inches.
There is also an extended closure in sections of the Sanpoil Arm (listed as Sanpoil River in the pamphlet) of Lake Roosevelt, during redband rainbow trout staging, spawning and outmigration. The Sanpoil Arm will now open to fishing June 1, instead of April 1, with a daily limit of five hatchery-marked (clipped adipose fin) trout.
For the complete rule changes, see "Corrections to the pamphlet," posted at http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01818/2 ... errata.pdf
Chris Donley, fish program manager for WDFW's eastern region, said 20 percent of the annual rainbow trout harvest on Lake Roosevelt has been wild redband rainbow trout. WDFW and tribal co-managers were concerned that the current harvest level – and the potential for increased harvest as the trout fishery continues to grow in popularity – would not be sustainable for the redband trout population.
"This rule change is intended to help ensure the presence of a healthy population of wild redband rainbow trout in Lake Roosevelt and its tributaries," Donley said. "There will be minimal impact to the quality of the recreational trout fishing experience on the reservoir because there are 750,000 adipose-fin clipped triploid rainbow trout stocked annually. While anglers will have to release a few wild trout each season, there are plenty of harvestable fish available to make a fishing trip to Lake Roosevelt worth your while."
Donley notes that wild native trout are becoming an increasingly rare commodity across the west. The rule change is a way for anglers to actively help protect the last remaining healthy population of wild redband trout in the upper Columbia River within the United States.
Post by: SkookumHntr on December 30, 2016, 06:12:28 AM
Post by: Henrydog on December 30, 2016, 06:22:28 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on December 30, 2016, 07:31:45 AM
Post by: T-Bone on December 30, 2016, 07:38:15 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 07:52:03 AM
This is about 5 miles north of the China Bend boat launch. Which means the entire pool to the 1310 line is effected
This will include the Spokane arm to my guess Little Falls dam on the Spokane.
While there is no mention of the Kettle arm it could fall under the 1310 rule and that takes it to almost the Barstow bridge.
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 08:24:49 AM
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/editors-blog/alarms-raised-over-lake-roosevelt-fisheries-proposal/
http://nwsportsmanmag.com/headlines/tensions-rise-over-the-1310-line-on-lake-roosevelt/
This not to start another urinating contest but just information. Take it as that.
Post by: baldopepper on December 30, 2016, 08:31:51 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 08:34:58 AM
I'm a little confused, press release says two fish limit with 18" minimum but actual reg change says two fish 8" minimum.
In addition, from the Little Dalles power line crossing to the Canadian border, the daily catch limit is now only two trout (marked hatchery or unmarked wild), with a minimum size of 18 inches. That is above the power lines to the border.
Minimum size 8 inch would be for the FDR pool.
Perhaps Bigtex can weigh in on this for the clarifications.
This is also a heads up for the contestants to this event:
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,204483.0.html
Post by: baldopepper on December 30, 2016, 08:59:44 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 09:07:58 AM
Boy, I still can't get my aging brain to wrap around this. Guess my question is if I launched a boat at Hunters campground and fished in that general area, what is my actual trout possession limit and size restriction. I read it as two marked or unmarked fish with a 8" minimum, but certainly not sure.
5 with a 8" minimum as long as they are fin clipped. If any have the Bright Red stripe a wise choice would be to set it free, Now the question is if fishing with bait as is done this time of year does it count towards retention limit's?
That's what I hope when the boat hits the water next month looking for winter fish. :dunno:
Post by: SkookumHntr on December 30, 2016, 09:09:46 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 30, 2016, 09:16:33 AM
I was just planning a trip for winter rainbows in 2 weeks too! Definitely not gonna go now! :bash:
Why wouldn't you still fish?
It parallels the Kokanee 6 daily limit rules to some extent and you can only retain 2 wild kokes. But the finned clip are few and far between.
Post by: baldopepper on December 30, 2016, 09:20:42 AM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on December 30, 2016, 09:23:24 AM
Post by: baldopepper on December 30, 2016, 09:35:11 AM
Post by: Mark251 on December 30, 2016, 09:41:39 AM
Post by: Rick on December 30, 2016, 11:28:15 AM
Now the question is if fishing with bait as is done this time of year does it count towards retention limit's?
I contacted the WDFW the other day for clarification on the new "Redband" regs.
According to the person that contacted me,while using bait under the new Lake Roosevelt trout regulations, releasing fish with an intact adipose doesn't count towards your limit because you aren't allowed to retain non-clipped fish.
The explanation sounds iffy to me,but I have their email response on my cell phone in case I run into issues with a warden.
Post by: Sneaky on December 30, 2016, 11:38:44 AM
Now the question is if fishing with bait as is done this time of year does it count towards retention limit's?
I contacted the WDFW the other day for clarification on the new "Redband" regs.
According to the person that contacted me,while using bait under the new Lake Roosevelt trout regulations, releasing fish with an intact adipose doesn't count towards your limit because you aren't allowed to retain non-clipped fish.
The explanation sounds iffy to me,but I have their email response on my cell phone in case I run into issues with a warden.
This is spot on. A wild fish with intact adipose fin cannot count towards your limit because there is no daily limit for such fish.
Post by: WALLEYEGUY on December 31, 2016, 01:01:22 PM
Unbelievable :bash: :bash: :bash:
Post by: 270Flat on December 31, 2016, 01:36:31 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 31, 2016, 01:38:23 PM
Post by: Mfowl on January 02, 2017, 08:49:01 AM
Here's one my son caught a few years ago. Not sure how bank fisherman are supposed to release bait caught fish effectively. Guess just cut the line and hope for the best... hopefully not too many eagles get a free meal
Nice fish! You can try switching to small circle hooks while bait fishing. They work well and almost always hook fish in the corner of the mouth.
Post by: cryder on January 05, 2017, 06:46:57 AM