Dave Graybill: The Fishin' Magician

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the expansion of steelhead fishing on the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers. On the Wenatchee River anglers may now fish from the Icicle Road Bridge to 400 feet below Tumwater Dam. This stretch of the Wenatchee is a favorite of many anglers, who have fond memories of fishing here in the past. I expect good participation in this part of the river.

In addition steelhead fishing is allowed in the 400 foot section below Dryden Dam. On the Icicle River, steelhead fishing is now open from the mouth to 500 feet downstream from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam. These waters have been opened to allow for steelhead fishing as there are too many hatchery, or adipose fin clipped, fish in the system. Removing hatchery fish from the rivers increases the number of wild fish that will reach the spawning beds.

Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit remains the same, at two fish, and that all hatchery fish must be kept. Wild fish must be immediately released without removing them from the water. There are no changes in the existing seasons on other rivers in the region. Please read the official news release for all the details.