WDFW Fishing Rule Change: Skykomish and Wallace rivers reopen to fishing

[Pacific NW Ron]

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

January 14, 2019

Skykomish and Wallace rivers reopen to fishing

Action:  Reopens the Skykomish and Wallace rivers to fishing as described in the 2018-2019 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

The Wallace River will also be open from 200 feet downstream to 200 feet upstream of the salmon hatchery water intake with the following rules through Feb. 15:

Gamefish open: Dolly varden/bull trout; min. size 20 inches, may be retained as part of trout daily limit. Other trout; min. size 8 inches except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout min. size 14 inches. Trout daily limit: 2. Other gamefish; statewide min. size/daily limit. Fishing from a floating device prohibited.

Effective date:  Immediately through Feb. 15, 2019.

Species affected:  All species.

Location: 
•Skykomish River, from the mouth to the forks
•Wallace River, from the mouth to 200 feet above the hatchery water intake. 

Reason for action:  The Wallace River and Reiter Ponds hatcheries have now collected enough early winter steelhead broodstock to meet egg take goals. The early winter steelhead release goals are 140,000 smolt from Reiter Ponds and 27,600 smolt from the Wallace Hatchery. 

Additional information: Wallace River Hatchery grounds are closed dusk through 7 a.m. daily.

Information contact: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 fish biologist, (425) 775-1311 (ext. 107).