News: Rule Change steelhead WDFW

September 28, 2018 
Anglers limited to one hatchery steelhead in the lower Hanford Reach

Action: Reduces the daily limit to one hatchery steelhead when the fishery opens Oct. 1. Anglers must release all steelhead other than hatchery steelhead marked by both an adipose and right ventral fin clip.

Effective date: Oct. 1 until further notice.

Species affected: Steelhead.

Location: Columbia River, from Highway 395 Bridge (Kennewick/Pasco) upstream to the wooden powerline towers at the old Hanford townsite.

Reason for action: The run-size has been reduced to 92,800 A/B Index steelhead from the pre-season forecast of 182,400 fish. Reducing the daily limit to one Ringold Springs- origin hatchery steelhead (those marked by both an adipose and right ventral fin clip), will help to ensure hatchery broodstock collection goals are met while still allowing anglers steelhead fishing opportunity.

Additional information: Steelhead released from Ringold Springs Hatchery have both a clipped adipose fin and a clipped right ventral fin. This unique mark (clips) allows these steelhead to be differentiated from upper Columbia River and Snake River steelhead and allows these steelhead to be selectively harvested.