WDFW Commission Meeting This Week On Land 4 Deals, Native Trout Harvest, Coastal Steelhead

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its regular meeting in Wenatchee Sept. 25 to 27, 2025. 

The three-day meeting begins with an in-person retreat session on Thursday and Friday, followed by a hybrid public meeting on Saturday.  The retreat portion of the meeting will not be available for online viewers, but the public is may observe the Commission’s discussions in-person. Members of the public may attend in person in Wenatchee or participate virtually on Saturday, Sept. 27.

On Saturday, the Commission will begin with a public input opportunity and hear reports from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind and WDFW’s North Central (Region 2) Director Brock Hoenes.

The Commission will consider four proposed land transactions across Washington, including a proposed transfer in Pend Oreille County to expand the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area; two acquisitions in Okanogan County, one to create a new unit of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area and the other to expand the Methow Unit of the Methow Wildlife Area; and the first phase of a project in Douglas County to expand the Big Bend Wildlife Area.

The Commission will also review a draft Resident Native Trout Harvest Policy, designed to guide staff in developing fishing regulations for native trout populations. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Coastal Steelhead rule making, with proposed changes aimed at better aligning recreational fishing opportunities with conservation needs and reducing the reliance on emergency rules. This review may also include adjustments to statewide game-fish regulations. The meeting will conclude with a meeting debrief and future meeting planning.

The meeting will be held in Wenatchee, and it will be streamed online Saturday. The session will also be recorded and made available on the Commission webpage. The full meeting agenda and details about attending virtually will be available soon on the Commission webpage.