FF2,

I agree that closing Lake Cushman (and other lakes) to fishing is an over-reaction. However, the extant land-locked Chinook population in the lake was included in the ESA-listed Puget Sound ESU. That was before specific genetic information was known about this group of fish. Now that we know that they represent some kind of genetic purgatory, it would be appropriate to remove them from the listed ESU. But since that is yet to occur, they are ESA-listed fish. From that standpoint I can see why WDFW doesn't take the risk of leaving the lake open when they are closing others where ESA fish are present.

Sg