CoyoteCrazy
12/9/2011 11:33:00 AMI just moved to Wa from Oregon. I am not quite clear on the rules about what you said about catching the 2 over 14" you had to switch to jigging, but you can keep fishing? Any clarity you could offer to help me out I would appreciated it.
hewesfisher
12/9/2011 4:31:00 PMActually, there is NO requirement to switch to jigs/spinners or quite fishing for the day if you catch and retain 2 over 14". The rules are as follows:
"HOG CANYON LAKE (Spokane Co.) TROUT Dec. 1-Mar. 31 No min. size. Daily limit 5. Up to 2 over 14" may be retained.
Other Game Fish Dec. 1-Mar. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit."
In the state of WA, when fishing with bait (be sure to READ the rules to know what THAT means), all TROUT caught are considered toward your daily limit, whether you choose to keep or release them. If you catch two over 14" and keep them, you can continue fishing with bait as long as you do not catch more than 3 additional trout. If you catch 3 more trout over 14", you must release them, but you are fully in compliance with the rules to continue fishing with bait. HOWEVER, if you catch 3 more over 14", you MUST stop fishing. In any case, you cannot catch and retain or release more than 5 TROUT (or the limit posted for the individual body of water) when fishing with bait, and THAT'S the part that gets people in trouble.
I challenged WDFW enforcement in this exact issue last year, and they confirmed what was written in the regs. Also, be advised the rules say "no more than two OVER 14". Last year, many folks were commenting about having to stop fishing after keeping 2 at 14", NOT TRUE! You can keep a 5 fish limit of 14" TROUT at Hog Canyon and not violate the rules. Just make sure you pay close attention to the bait rule, you catch 5 TROUT, you're finished no matter how many you keep.
I won't get into the ethics of catching and releasing when fishing for TROUT with bait, but the rules permit it and you cannot be cited for doing it.
"HOG CANYON LAKE (Spokane Co.) TROUT Dec. 1-Mar. 31 No min. size. Daily limit 5. Up to 2 over 14" may be retained.
Other Game Fish Dec. 1-Mar. 31 Statewide min. size/daily limit."
In the state of WA, when fishing with bait (be sure to READ the rules to know what THAT means), all TROUT caught are considered toward your daily limit, whether you choose to keep or release them. If you catch two over 14" and keep them, you can continue fishing with bait as long as you do not catch more than 3 additional trout. If you catch 3 more trout over 14", you must release them, but you are fully in compliance with the rules to continue fishing with bait. HOWEVER, if you catch 3 more over 14", you MUST stop fishing. In any case, you cannot catch and retain or release more than 5 TROUT (or the limit posted for the individual body of water) when fishing with bait, and THAT'S the part that gets people in trouble.
I challenged WDFW enforcement in this exact issue last year, and they confirmed what was written in the regs. Also, be advised the rules say "no more than two OVER 14". Last year, many folks were commenting about having to stop fishing after keeping 2 at 14", NOT TRUE! You can keep a 5 fish limit of 14" TROUT at Hog Canyon and not violate the rules. Just make sure you pay close attention to the bait rule, you catch 5 TROUT, you're finished no matter how many you keep.
I won't get into the ethics of catching and releasing when fishing for TROUT with bait, but the rules permit it and you cannot be cited for doing it.
TimtheIII
11/16/2012 9:11:00 PMThank you Hewesfisher! this info is appreciated! Good luck fishing this year.