Buy now save big; license fees increase Sept. 1

MOSES LAKE - Like it or not, it will cost more for some of the license fees will increase. Yes we can all gripe a bit, but this is the first increase in more than 10 years. Still we consider the cost of the license fees to be a good deal for what they offer. The trick this year is to purchase your appropriate licenses and tags before the first of next month. Read on.

Starting Sept. 1, the base cost of most Washington hunting and fishing licenses will increase. This is the first general recreational license fee increase in more than a decade.

The 2011 Legislature approved the new fees to help meet rising costs and a shortfall in revenue for managing hunting, fishing and the fish and wildlife populations which are the focus of those activities.

Not all license fees will increase, and some will decline, including those for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities.

The list of new fees is lengthy, but here is a sampling of the new and old costs for resident of Washington State: Fee now for deer, elk, bear and cougar tag: $81.20, after Sept. 1: $93.50; small game license now: $38, after Sept. 1: $38.50; First turkey tag now: $17.50, after Sept. 1: $15.40. Fee now for freshwater license: $24, after Sept. 1: $27.50; combination fishing license now: $48.20, after Sept. 1: $52.25; two-pole endorsement now: $24.50, after Sept. 1: $14.30.

Fish and Wildlife maintain the current status of maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity and make it possible for the department to fulfill its dual mission of conserving species while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation across the state.

The new fees are expected to generate about $8 million annually for activities that support hunting and recreational fishing, according to Fish and Wildlife.

Recreational license and permit revenue is used to manage fisheries and hunting seasons, produce trout and steelhead for recreational fisheries, enforce regulations, monitor fish and game populations and help maintain wildlife lands.

Revenues from the license fee increase will replace a temporary 10 percent license sale surcharge that expired in June, and will fill a projected deficit in the account that funds fishing and hunting activities.

Everything seems to be going up and we don't care for the trend. However in this day and age... Well, we are going to accept the increase and not lose sleep over the situation. Especially when we know without the license fee increase, major cuts in hunting and fishing seasons and opportunities would need to take place. We are needing to pay more to play.

Fishing and hunting contribute more than $1.4 billion a year to the state's economy, benefitting local communities, small business owners and the people they employ, says Fish and Wildlife. Maintaining fishing and hunting opportunity is vital to Washington's economy and quality of life.

We certainly know this is true in the Columbia Basin. So, buy your licenses and tags before Sept. 1 this year, if you haven't already.

Waterfowl seasons set

Fish and Wildlife has approved the 2011-12 waterfowl hunting seasons that are similar to those adopted last year during a meeting Aug. 5-6.

Under the waterfowl hunting package, the statewide duck hunting season will be open from Oct. 15-19 and from Oct. 22-Jan. 29. A special youth hunting weekend also is scheduled for Sept. 24-25.

Special limits for hen mallard, pintail, redhead, scaup, canvasback, goldeneye, harlequin, scoter and long-tailed duck will remain the same.

Goose hunting seasons vary by management areas across the state, but most open Oct. 15 and run through January 2012.

The goose and duck hunting seasons approved by the commission, which sets policy for the Fish and Wildlife, are based on state and federal waterfowl population estimates and guidelines. According to those estimates, most waterfowl populations throughout North America are at or above historically high levels.

Triploid escapees

Word has reached this desk about triploid escapees continuing to come to net below Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River near Bridgeport and Brewster.

Fish and Wildlife Fish Biologist Jeff Korth wants as many of those fish caught because triploids are gluttonous eaters and could pose a threat to juvenile steelhead, some of which are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Pacific Seafoods, the owner of the net-pen facility on Rufus Woods Reservoir, estimates 117,500 triploids escaped in June through a breach in a net-pen.

The fish have made it past the dam because of the large amount of water going over and through the dam this year. These triploids are in the 4- to 5-pound range, some are larger.

Under the new rule, the daily limit in the Wells Pool will be four triploid rainbow trout, with a minimum size 12 inches. All steelhead must be released, and must not be completely removed from the water.

This is a great angling opportunity. Take advantage of the situation. What bait to use? As one angler said, "These fish are hitting anything," so begin by using anything for trout and some steelhead rigs.

This special season will close on Aug. 31. 

Sockeye retention allowed above Priest Rapids on Columbia River, two tributaries, Lake Osoyoos

Anglers will be able to retain adult sockeye salmon in the mainstem Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam, including the Okanogan and Similkameen Rivers, and Lake Osoyoos.

 The daily limit is four sockeye, with a minimum size 12 inches.  All coho and steelhead must be released.

Effective dates and locations include: Now through Oct 15, Columbia River from Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco to Wells Dam.  Anti-snagging and night closure in effect for Rocky Reach Dam to Turtle Rock; Now through Aug 31, Columbia River from Wells Dam to Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster; Now through Oct 15, Columbia River from Hwy 173 Bridge in Brewster to Hwy 17 Bridge in Bridgeport; Now through Oct 15, Okanogan River from the mouth to Hwy 97 Bridge immediately upstream of mouth.  Anti-snagging and night closure in effect.

Other rules are in effect for the Okanogan River, Similkameen River and Lake Osoyoos. Check the fishing regulations.

This action is being enacted because sockeye salmon returns above Priest Rapids Dam are predicted to be well in excess of needs for wild fish escapement to the spawning grounds.

All sockeye and chinook with a floy tag attached must be released. These fish are essential to ongoing studies being conducted by the Yakama Indian Tribe and by Fish and Wildlife.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement required for ALL sockeye fisheries.