Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

January 27, 2004


Snohomish basin rivers reopen
to fishing this weekend

Action: Re-open to all game fish fishing, including steelhead in sections of the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, and Wallace rivers and Tokul Creek.

Effective date: January 31, 2004

Species affected: All gamefish, including steelhead

Location:

Mainstem Skykomish River from 1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet downstream of the Reiter Ponds outlet.
Mainstem Snoqualmie River from the Plum Access boat launch (located approximately one-quarter mile downstream of the mouth of Tokul Creek) to Snoqualmie Falls.
Tokul Creek from its mouth to the posted cable boundary marker (approximately 700 feet upstream of the mouth).
Upper Wallace River from the railroad trestle (downstream of the Highway 2 Bridge) upstream to the mouth of Onley Creek.
Cascade River - Remains Closed from the mouth upstream to the Rockport Cascade road bridge.
Reason for action: These WDFW hatchery facilities have trapped adequate numbers of hatchery winter-run steelhead to meet egg take requirements.

Other information: Wild steelhead release remains in effect. Hatchery steelhead are identified by a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. The Cascade River (mouth upstream to Rockport Cascade Road Bridge) will remain closed to allow the Marblemount Hatchery to continue collecting hatchery winter steelhead adults to fulfill broodstock requirements. If the egg take goal is met before late February, the Cascade River will reopen to recreational fishing.

Information contact: Chad Jackson, District Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311, ext. 113