Triploids planted for Father's Day fishing
Dennis L. Clay
Fish and Wildlife are stocking 10,000 one-and-a half pound triploid rainbow trout in 20 lakes before this weekend, Father's Day weekend.
A fishing license is required, but if your Dad doesn't have one, it would make a great Father's Day gift.
The lakes to be stocked with the triploids, measuring 15 to 17 inch, all have good shore and boat access.
The lakes in this area and the number of triploids that will be stocked, are as follows: Kittitas County, Cooper Lake, 250; Yakima County, Clear Lake, 500; Grant County, Park Lake, 400; Okanogan County, Alta Lake, 350; Conconully Reservoir, 750; Spokane County: West Medical Lake, 1,250; Williams Lake, 400 Good luck to all.
Hunting permit draw complete
The annual draw for special hunt permits is complete. Results are available online at the Fish and Wildlife website.
OK, so I'm crying in my beer tonight because not only didn't I draw one permit, but none of my hunt buddies did either. Sobbbbbbbb.
Spring chinook fishery open in Wenatchee River
Starting last Friday, June 6, the Wenatchee River is open to fishing for spring chinook salmon for the first time in nearly two decades.
With almost 10,000 hatchery chinook expected to return to the river this year, Fish and Wildlife announced openings on two sections of the river:
First, from the Washington State Parks foot bridge at Confluence Park, just upstream from the confluence with the Columbia River, to 400 feet below Dryden Dam.
Second, from the confluence with Peshastin Creek to the downstream side of the confluence with the Icicle River and from that point to a marker on the opposite shore.
The fishery will be open seven days a week in both areas until further notice.
Anglers will have a daily limit of two hatchery spring chinook measuring at least 12 inches long and marked with a clipped adipose fin. Under statewide regulations, anglers may retain only one daily limit of salmon, regardless of how many waters they fish.
All wild chinook must immediately be released back into the water unharmed.
Jeff Korth, regional WDFW fishery manager, said this year's fishery was made possible under a new permit issued by NOAA-Fisheries that allows the department to conduct mark-selective fisheries to reduce the number of hatchery fish on the spawning grounds.
Korth noted Fish and Wildlife will closely monitor the fishery and enforce fishing rules to ensure protection of wild chinook, bull trout and any steelhead that may be incidentally caught and released.
In addition to the selective rules in effect for the fishery, anglers are required to: Retain any legal hatchery spring chinook they catch until they reach their daily limit, then stop fishing for spring chinook. Release any spring chinook with one or more round holes punched in the tail fin. These fish are vital to ongoing studies in the upper Wenatchee River Basin.
Also: Observe selective gear rules in effect on the Wenatchee River wherever chinook seasons are open. No gear restrictions are in effect on the Icicle River and anglers may use bait on both rivers. Heed the prohibition of internal combustion motorized vessels and observe night closures on the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers.
To participate in this fishery, anglers must possess a valid 2014-15 fishing license and a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement.
Because the fishery is open until further notice, anglers should check Fish and Wildlife's Fishing Rule Change website (wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations) before heading out.
Assist game management at upcoming meetings
Hunters and other members of the public will have an opportunity to help shape the state's game management plan for 2015-21 at a series of public open house meetings scheduled by Fish and Wildlife this month.
The public can also comment on key aspects of the six-year plan via an on-line survey, available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/gmpobjectives, from June 12 through July 18.
The meetings are scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m. on the following dates and locations: June 17 - Wenatchee, Red Lion Inn Wenatchee, 1225 N. Wenatchee Ave.; June 18 - Kennewick, Red Lion Inn Kennewick, N. 1101 Columbia Center Blvd.; June 19 - Spokane, Double Tree by Hilton Spokane City Center, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court; June 24 - Vancouver, Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Dr.
Also, June 25 - Lynnwood, Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 1%th St. S.W. and June 26 - Olympia, Red Lion Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. S.W.
Once adopted, the plan will be used by Fish and Wildlife to guide development of hunting seasons and other management policies in future years.
Key issues in the draft plan include hunter recruitment and retention, hunter access to timberlands and possible new rules requiring the use of nontoxic shot. Fish and Wildlife will also consider new proposals for managing predator/prey relationships and developing a plan to manage wolves after they are no longer classified as an endangered species.
Final recommendations will be presented to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for a public hearing in August and adoption in September.
Brewster King Salmon Derby
Yes, this is two months ahead of time, but we want to make sure you have this on your calendar. Aug. 1, 2 and 3 is the Brewster King Salmon Derby this year.
This year: Cash awarded to the top 10 in the Adult Division and the top five in the Youth Division. Adult Winner will receive $1500, with the youth prize for 9 through 14-year-olds of $600 and ages 8 and under receiving $100.
Here are some of the last year's stats: 265 paid entries with 28 being 17 and under; 102 King salmon weighed in and six Sockeye weighed (51 on Friday, 38 on Sat. & 13 on Sun). There was approximately an eight to one release ratio with wild kings having to be released.
More than $30,000 in cash and prizes were given away. 120 boats on the water Sat. morning and the winning king was weighed in on Sat.
From Don Kraege, Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Section Manager:
A message to past goose handers:
We have been getting several inquiries regarding the status of Canada goose banding by Fish and Wildlife in 2014, which typically occurs in June.
During the past seven years we have banded almost 5,000 geese in eastern Washington, a very successful program. This would not have been possible without the support of our many volunteers.
Unfortunately, due to several vacancies of staff positions involved with this effort in the past, as well as commitments of other staff on various projects, we are scaling back the dates and locations of banding operations this year.
Plans are still being developed, but if you are still interested in participating in our limited banding efforts over the next few weeks please let me know and I'll route your name to the appropriate district biologists. Thanks for your support of the Canada goose banding program.
Contact Don Kraege at 360-902-2522.
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