Thought this might produce an interesting discussion for the New Year.

There is growing support for state-wide wild steelhead release (WSR), even at run sizes that traditionally supported harvest of wild steelhead. In the past WSR was a management tool that was used to provide access to hatchery fish when wild runs were below escapement goals. The current push for state-wide WSR seems to be advocating mandatory CnR of wild steelhead regardless of the run size. While this is a fair enough idea there remains some questions under which conditions such management should applied.

The first is should the use of mandatory wild steelhead CnR be limited by the wild fish run size? Which of the following best fits your ideas of when we should be allowed to target wild steelhead?

1) fishing at any run size
2) fishing only on runs at least 80% of MSY.
3) fishing only on runs at MSY.
4) fishing only on runs at least 80% of carrying capacity.
5) fishing only on runs at carrying capacity.

(I used the MSY escapement choice as that is what is used by the State and Federal Courts and carry capacity as a commonly proposed alternative to MSY as an escapement objective. Currently WDFW allows wild fish CnR fish at runs at 80% of the escapement goal).

How long into the spring (spawning season) should the wild steelhead CnR fishing be allowed?

1) Fishing only until the end of the hatchery run.
2) Fishing should end prior to the peak of the wild fish spawning.
3) Fishing all spring.

I would also be interested in how you support your choices.

May the New Year bring you willing fish and good times!

Tight lines
Smalma