Lower Icicle, Columbia From PRD To Wells Opening For Coho

THE FOLLOWING ARE EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICES FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Icicle River to open for coho salmon retention

Action: Opens retention of coho salmon.

Effective date: One hour before official sunrise on Sept. 18 through one hour after official sunset on Nov. 30, 2021.

Species affected: Coho salmon.

Locations: Icicle River:

1. From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth of the river to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.

2. From the shoreline markers where Cyo Road intersects the Icicle River at the Sleeping Lady Resort to the Icicle Peshastin Irrigation Footbridge (approximately 750 feet upstream from the Snow Lakes trailhead parking area).

Rule: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 4 coho. Release salmon other than coho. Fishing with bait is prohibited. Night closure in effect.

Reason for action: Expected returns of coho to the Icicle River are sufficient to provide for sport angler harvest. 

Additional information:

1. Barbed hooks allowed.
2. Anglers may not use the two-pole endorsement in this fishery.
3. Motorized vessels are not allowed on the Icicle River (Chelan County ordinance 7.20.190 motorboat restrictions).
4. WDFW will be monitoring the fishery closely and may close the season early if necessary due to excessive incidental catch-and-release impacts to ESA-listed summer steelhead. For emergency rule updates, please visit fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.  

Upper Columbia River salmon fishery update

Action: Opens retention of coho.

Species affected: Salmon.

Effective dates, locations and rules:

1. Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: Sept. 18 through Oct. 15, 2021. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult Chinook and up to four (4) may be coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release sockeye.

2. Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam: Sept. 18 through Oct. 15, 2021. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to four (4) may be coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.

Reason for action: Returns of upper Columbia River-bound coho salmon are sufficient to meet conservation objectives and to provide for sport angler harvest.  

Additional information: WDFW will be monitoring the fishery closely and may close the season early if necessary due to excessive incidental catch-and-release impacts to ESA-listed summer steelhead. For emergency rule updates, please visit fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.