HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is implementing changes in Kalama River steelhead management to limit hatchery fish upriver. John Weinheimer, fish biologist with the WDFW, said, "With summer-run steelhead starting to move into the Kalama fishery, managers are taking action to curtail the number of hatchery steelhead that reach upriver spawning grounds this summer. Studies have shown hatchery fish make up half to three-quarters of all summer steelhead found upriver from the Kalama Falls Hatchery." In mid-May, WDFW raised the catch limit to three hatchery steelhead a day to help reduce the number of hatchery fish moving upriver. Other measures planned or already in effect include: " Effective July 1, requiring anglers to retain all hatchery steelhead they catch and stop fishing for steelhead once they reach their three-fish limit. " Suspending the department's practice of transporting hatchery steelhead above Kalama Falls, while encouraging anglers to catch hatchery fish that move above the barrier on their own. " Suspending the practice of recycling hatchery summer steelhead collected at the Kalama Falls Hatchery downstream to give anglers another chance at catching them. Weinheimer said the main reason so many hatchery fish are reaching the upper river “is that the fish barrier at Kalama Falls is failing to stop them. In recent years, large numbers of fish have been observed jumping over the aging concrete structure supposed to channel those fish back to the hatchery. The problem is exacerbated by recycling that gives the steelhead multiple opportunities to the clear the barrier:" Studies have shown anglers catch about 20 percent of hatchery steelhead recycled to the lower Kalama; however, the barrier at the hatchery does not always stop remaining fish from moving upriver. The department is seeking funding to improve the fish barrier, but completing the project could take a year or more. Once the number of hatchery fish in the upper river has been reduced, the department can consider resuming the lower river recycling program, but that could take some time. To help restore wild runs, WDFW hatchery and fishery reform policy includes provisions to control the number of hatchery fish on the spawning grounds.
Summer chinook and steelhead on Cowlitz
During June 22-28, 407 summer chinook, 82 jacks, 43 maxi-jacks and 168 summer steelhead retuned to the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. During the same week, 300 spring chinook and 73 jacks were released into the Cispus River above Yellow Jacket Creek. Also, 137 summer steelhead were recycled at the interstate 5 boat launch. Flows continue to be in the low 3,000 cubic feet per second with a visibility of about the feet. Angler pressure has been light throughout the river. Joe Hymer of WDFW reported that during June 22-28, department personnel sampled 1,478 anglers (including 264 boats) with 122 adult and three jack summer chinook, 143 steelhead and 78 sockeye. During June 16-29, 53,197 summer chinook passed over Bonneville Dam. It is the second largest total to date. The record is 70,920 adults in 1957.
Sturgeon slow in Bonneville Pool
Bonneville Pool has been a little slow for sturgeon boat anglers, with a legal kept per every 6.3 rods compared to the one for every 4.6 rods during June 19-21. Bank anglers were also catching a few legals. Despite Bonneville Dam daily shad counts still in the tens of thousands, catches have been poor, with less than a fish per rod. Effort is fast fading. Northern pikeminnow catches in the Columbia and Snake rivers continue to be good for anglers participating in the sport reward fishery. During June 22-28, anglers caught 8,221 pikes. The hottest area was Boyer Park, where 2,142 were caught.
Anglers limiting at Mineral Lake
Mineral Lake boat and banks anglers have been catching limits of trout using power baits and nightcrawlers. The lake was recently planted with 6,250 browns weighing up to five pounds. Early-morning and late-evening has been the best bite periods. Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be contacted at robertb1285@centurylink.net
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment