DUROBOAT15

If you believe that you can legally keep a wild steelhead (no clipped adipose fin) from June 1 thru March 31 on the Cowlitz, you better start saving your money to pay your fines!

Apparently you are misreading the regs on page 62. The Cowlitz has been wild release for well over 5 years on steelhead. You are (or may be) confusing "trout" with steelhead, because the dams still receive plans of "trout". The rules may sound a little ambiguous, but that will not win you anything in court!

If you read what is stated on page 15 of the regs, you will see that under "statewide Definitions"; Wild steelhead, chinook, coho, or cutthroat may not be kept; only hatchery designated species may be kelp. Hatchery fish are identified by missing adipose or ventral fins and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin."

It's what listed on page 15 that counts!

Good luck if you think you can beat it in the courts!

Cowlitzfisherman
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Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????