Action: Areas of the upper Columbia, Methow, Okanogan, and Wenatchee rivers will open to recreational fishing targeting adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead. The daily limit is two fish, 20-inch minimum size. Rules affecting other species in these areas are changed to be consistent with steelhead rule requirements

The following is an abbreviated version of the current rule change.  Only information relevant to the Wenatchee River is listed here.  For the complete article, go to https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/erules/erule.jsp?id=564.

Effective Dates on the Wenatchee River: Oct. 22, 2007 through March 31, 2008, from its mouth upstream to the Icicle Road Bridge at the west end of Leavenworth.

Wenatchee River boundaries: from its mouth upstream to the Icicle Road Bridge at the west end of Leavenworth. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. Release any steelhead with anchor (floy) tag attached. Whitefish gear rules do not apply.

Other information: For all waters any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately and may not be totally removed from the water before release.

Reason for action: The wild run returning to areas above Priest Rapids Dam is large enough to meet minimum spawning requirements. The recreational fishery will reduce the proportion of hatchery-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds, thereby minimizing impact to wild steelhead spawning in upper Columbia River tributaries. This will increase the proportion of wild steelhead on the spawning grounds and improve natural production.

Information contacts: Art Viola, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337, Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 826-7341, Joseph Miller, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624.