WDFW Fishing Rule Change Limits Daily Trout Catch, Including Kokanee
OutdoorHub 07.11.13
Actions:
- Eliminates the 16 kokanee daily limit.
- Implements the statewide daily catch limit for TROUT, including kokanee, to five fish.
Effective date: 12:01a.m. July 13, 2013.
Species affected: All trout, including kokanee.
Locations: Cle Elum Lake (Reservoir) in Kittitas County.
Reason for action: The Yakama Nation and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are continuing the reintroduction of anadromous (sea-going) sockeye salmon in the upper Cle Elum basin. Eliminating the 16 kokanee daily limit and implementing the statewide daily catch limit for TROUT of 5 fish, including kokanee, is necessary to protect juvenile sockeye needed for this reintroduction effort. This is expected to reduce harvest of juvenile sockeye while increasing the catch of trout, including non-native lake trout (mackinaw), eastern brook trout and brown trout.
Other information: The 7″ minimum and 14″ maximum size for kokanee retention remains in effect. The 12″ minimum size for other trout species also remains unchanged.