Posted by: bushbear
Hoh River Press Release - 12/28/05 12:10 AM
Fishing Rule Change
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
December 23, 2005
Hoh River system winter steelhead rules change
Action: Fishing rules will change on three sections of the Hoh River.
1) The area from the mouth upstream to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch changes to wild steelhead release and selective gear rules March 1, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
Effective dates: March 1 through April 15, 2006.
Species affected: Winter Steelhead and other game fish.
Location and Regulations:
1) Hoh River from the mouth upstream to DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch – wild steelhead release and selective gear rules, March 1 through March 31, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
Reasons for action: Lower than normal numbers of wild steelhead are expected to return to the Hoh River system this year. In response to fewer fish returning the wild steelhead retention season will be shortened and replaced by a wild steelhead-release season. In addition, the overall sport fishing season will be shortened. The rule changes will reduce impacts on the wild run of steelhead.
Other information: During the wild steelhead release season in the area below the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch, anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead with a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Two (2) fish daily limit, 14-inch minimum size. A complete description of selective gear rules, can be found on page 22 of the 2005-2006 “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet. For information about current fishing regulations in Olympic National Park, please visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and click on “Fishing Regs”.
Information contacts: Mike Gross, District 16 Fish Biologist, 360-249-1210; Bill Freymond, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-1225.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the current WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet or the Fishing section of the WDFW webpage at wdfw.wa.gov for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500; press 2 for recreational rules; call the Shellfish Rule Change hotline, (360) 796-3215, or toll free 1 (866) 880-5431
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
December 23, 2005
Hoh River system winter steelhead rules change
Action: Fishing rules will change on three sections of the Hoh River.
1) The area from the mouth upstream to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Oxbow Campground boat launch changes to wild steelhead release and selective gear rules March 1, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close April 1, 2006.
Effective dates: March 1 through April 15, 2006.
Species affected: Winter Steelhead and other game fish.
Location and Regulations:
1) Hoh River from the mouth upstream to DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch – wild steelhead release and selective gear rules, March 1 through March 31, 2006.
2) The Hoh River from the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
3) South Fork Hoh River will close to all fishing April 1, 2006.
Reasons for action: Lower than normal numbers of wild steelhead are expected to return to the Hoh River system this year. In response to fewer fish returning the wild steelhead retention season will be shortened and replaced by a wild steelhead-release season. In addition, the overall sport fishing season will be shortened. The rule changes will reduce impacts on the wild run of steelhead.
Other information: During the wild steelhead release season in the area below the DNR Oxbow Campground boat launch, anglers are permitted to harvest hatchery steelhead with a missing adipose or ventral fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Two (2) fish daily limit, 14-inch minimum size. A complete description of selective gear rules, can be found on page 22 of the 2005-2006 “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet. For information about current fishing regulations in Olympic National Park, please visit the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm and click on “Fishing Regs”.
Information contacts: Mike Gross, District 16 Fish Biologist, 360-249-1210; Bill Freymond, Region 6 Fish Program Manager, (360) 249-1225.
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the current WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet or the Fishing section of the WDFW webpage at wdfw.wa.gov for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500; press 2 for recreational rules; call the Shellfish Rule Change hotline, (360) 796-3215, or toll free 1 (866) 880-5431
