Northwest Fishing Reports

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

September 19, 2017

Contact: Craig Burley, 360-902-2784
Steve Thiesfeld, 360-902-2662

WDFW proposes simplified freshwater fishing
regulations, seeks public comment

OLYMPIA – State fishery managers are seeking public comment on a proposed package of simplified recreational fishing regulations for freshwater species, such as steelhead, trout and warmwater fish.

As part of that effort, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled six workshops to discuss the proposed changes with the public.

To review and comment on the proposed rules, visit WDFW's webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/. Comments will be accepted through Nov. 30. For a hard copy of the proposed rules, please call 360-902-2700.

Since last summer, state fishery managers have been working to simplify Washington's fishing regulations for freshwater species, including steelhead, trout, warmwater fish, sturgeon, shad and carp, said WDFW Director Jim Unsworth.

"For years, we've heard from people about how our regulations are complex – even for some of the most seasoned anglers – and act as a barrier to people trying to take up the sport," Unsworth said. "So we've been developing a set of regulations that will be easier for all anglers to understand."

This is the first year of a three-year effort to simplify sportfishing regulations throughout the state. Next year, fishery managers are scheduled to work on salmon fisheries in marine and freshwater, while fisheries for shellfish and other marine fish will be addressed in 2019.

"We're excited about this effort and look forward to discussing our first year of proposals at upcoming meetings with the public," Burley said. "This is a great opportunity for anglers and others to help us make our recreational fishing regulations more user-friendly."

The public workshops are scheduled for:

Spokane: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 26, Center Place, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.
Ephrata: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 27, Grant County Public Works, 124 Enterprise St. SE, Ephrata.
Selah: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 28, Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. Selah.
Mill Creek: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 3, WDFW Region 4 headquarters, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek.
Ridgefield: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 4, WDFW Region 5 headquarters, 5525 S. 11th St., Ridgefield.
Montesano: 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 5, Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main St., Montesano.
Changes proposed this year would apply to freshwater throughout the state, with some exceptions. Some of the changes include:

Standardizing the statewide season for rivers, streams and beaver ponds to the Saturday before Memorial Day through Oct. 31.
Eliminating mandatory steelhead retention in most waters.
Reducing the complexity of regulations – such as daily limits, size limits and seasons – in lakes and ponds.
Standardizing regulations in rivers and streams for bass, channel catfish, and walleye. Under the proposal there would be no daily limit or minimum size for those fish.

I think this is one of those, "be careful what you wish for," moments. I can easily see the State taking away fisheries and universally limiting seasons in an effort to quell the request for simplified regulations.

G-Man wrote:I think this is one of those, "be careful what you wish for," moments. I can easily see the State taking away fisheries and universally limiting seasons in an effort to quell the request for simplified regulations.

Not sure I would be able to connect the dots on that one...geebers.

I run into fishermen all the time that have been relocated from out of state, and those who are here as non residents visiting family.

There seems to be one constant -

Where they hail from, the fishing regs are pretty basic and not too complicated for anyone. In a nutshell..simple.

Possibly someone within the WDFW decided to actually take a look at how other states are run in terms of rules / regs, and had an epiphany.

One can always hope.

onmygame

They say "some of the changes", but dont list them all? WTF???

99.99% of people are not going to go drive miles to a stupid seminar somewhere or they will be working or something. Why dont they just publish the proposed changes and be done with it??????????????????

aaaarrrgggghhh!!!!!

G-Man wrote:I think this is one of those, "be careful what you wish for," moments. I can easily see the State taking away fisheries and universally limiting seasons in an effort to quell the request for simplified regulations.

I can see this happening too. I think it's the only real way to simplify the regs. The conservation needs, commercial & treaty harvest are the primary drivers of the complex regs on the rivers and salt (lake regs are already pretty straightforward). So unless there's a change in minimum escapement numbers, one of the user groups will have to reduce time on the water. The dept has a mandate to provide commercial harvest and I don't see the co-managers giving up time, it'll more than likely the recs getting reduced. I hope I'm way wrong but I really don't see any other way to "simplify" the regs.

Maybe I interpreted this differently.
I saw the statement of 'simplifying' the regs, as just clearing up the ridiculous verbiage that is used. So many people just can't understand what the basic statements mean.
I'm kinda exhausted here, and I can't think of one at the moment, but sometimes it is stuff to do with river salmon fishing... (you can have X amount of Coho, and/or X amount of other species salmon, but never a Jack, and a combined limit of yadah-yadah... )
Obviously I'm making this up...

It's kinda a fact though that too many anglers don't even seem to read the regs, and ask the most basic questions in online forums, but there are DEF passages that are MURKY at best.

State fishery managers are seeking public comment on a proposed package of simplified recreational fishing regulations for freshwater species, such as steelhead, trout and warmwater fish.

Changes proposed would apply to freshwater throughout the state, with some exceptions.

This is the first year of a three-year effort to simplify sport fishing regulations throughout the state.

Year 1 (2017): Simplify sport fishing regulations for freshwater species (steelhead, trout, warmwater fish, sturgeon, shad and carp). Rules effective July 1, 2018.

Year 2 (2018): Simplify sport fishing regulations for salmon fisheries in marine and fresh waters. Rules effective July 1, 2019.

Year 3 (2019): Simplify sport fishing regulations for marine fish and shellfish in Washington coastal and Puget Sound waters. Rules effective July 1, 2020.

Consider regulations that address critical conservation needs on an annual basis.

Go to this page - http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/

Click on "COMMENT ON POLICY PROPOSALS" to see the list.

I think this is overdue, the regs are a burden for both sides, WDFW in addition to users of the resource.

hewesfisher wrote:,,,,,,,,

Go to this page - http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/

Click on "COMMENT ON POLICY PROPOSALS" to see the list.

I think this is overdue, the regs are a burden for both sides, WDFW in addition to users of the resource.

Ah! Thanks!

However, the guy who wrote that page was also the guy who wrote the original regs. Some of that stuff also makes no sense at all.....

Here is a direct link to the new proposals.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/ ... licies.php

I'm no literary giant but feel comfortable navigating through the complex regulation format we've had the past several years for the freshwater species we chase.

While the proposals may not cover every scenario, I really feel anything to reduce size of the current book they call a pamphlet has to be an improvement.

I haven't had time to review all the proposals, some I won't bother with as I'm not interested in those, but I will make the time to review and comment on those that affect us, waters we fish, and methods we use.

I like "user input" options even if my input isn't implemented.

A couple of those rule changes are very bad. Allowing C&R on trout while using bait, that's gonna kill off a lot trout for no reason. And the allowing both a trout & a steelhead limit in moving water is probably worst. Since spawning trout can create offspring that go to the salt and steelhead can also spawn with trout, this in my opinion is horrible for even the most casual glance for wild steelhead stocks.

I do like the Brook trout limit removal idea and the standardization of the stream gamefish season. The panfish size limit removal might work (overall I like the idea) since most panfish can and will breed themselves into stunted populations.

Kind of a mixed bag overall though, without a whole lot of "simplification" because the complex regs are primarily dealing with salmon. Those regs don't seem to be involved unfortunately.

This is a Wdfw attempt to simplify there own job. They think they know more than the past biological studies that were modeled specifically for each lake. Does nothing to clear things up for the angler, unless the goal is to get less people to look at the regulations.

I do like the removal of anti fishing laws, mandatory Steelhead retention and counting all trout towards limit regardless if you are fishing for them or not.
The chum being thrown in any body of water goes WAY too far and is unnecessary.
At the very least there should be a minimum acreage, so people don't throw garbage in ponds to attract fish.

Reading these changes and thinking about the wording on some of the emergency rules changes recently, I think WDFW is finally starting to realize, and maybe feel guilty, for the way they have mis-managed our fisheries almost into oblivion. It feels like they are trying to make up for it, or hide it, or distract us from it, by giving us more "opportunities" so maybe we wont notice how bad it really is.

Larry3215 wrote:Reading these changes and thinking about the wording on some of the emergency rules changes recently, I think WDFW is finally starting to realize, and maybe feel guilty, for the way they have mis-managed our fisheries almost into oblivion. It feels like they are trying to make up for it, or hide it, or distract us from it, by giving us more "opportunities" so maybe we wont notice how bad it really is.

They should feel guilty but I doubt they will. They've been on a one way highway of ruination for at least the last 15 years. Sold off all the bait fish in PS and mismanaged the hatcheries in so many ways I can't even count. If there's no fish to manage, it makes it pretty easy to manage and it makes it a lot easier to stay inside the budget.

I did like the suggested changes, I'm pretty sure they were just copied them straight off the web site. Simplifying is great but over simplifying will take a lot of fishing opportunities from all of us. I'll be really surprised if they do it (anything) right.......

And let me add this in case anyone is interested. I also put this in the Salt Water forum.
From: WDFW Public Affairs <do.not.reply@dfw.wa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2017 9:04 AM
To: Matt Moore
Subject: WDFW News Release: WDFW seeks volunteers for Puget Sound sportfishing advisory group
 
WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
October 4, 2017
Contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808
WDFW seeks volunteers for Puget Sound sportfishing advisory group
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking volunteers to serve on its Puget Sound sportfishing advisory group.
People interested in serving on the advisory group have through Oct. 31 to apply.
About 10 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the advisory group for 2018 and 2019. Those selected will provide guidance to WDFW on issues affecting recreational fisheries in Puget Sound for salmon, rockfish and other marine fish species.
The advisory group meets five or six times a year, with most meetings scheduled February through April during the annual salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon. Members also are expected to communicate fishery information and policy decisions to sportfishing groups in their areas, said Ryan Lothrop, a WDFW fishery manager.
"Advisors are an important link between the department and the sportfishing community," Lothrop said. "We're looking for people who have first-hand knowledge of marine and freshwater recreational fisheries and the ability to communicate their ideas to fishery managers and fellow anglers."
Appointments become effective in January 2018. Advisors do not receive direct compensation for their work.
Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group, and current members of the advisory group may be reappointed. Any group or individual also can nominate a candidate.
Letters of interest or nominations must include the following information:
Name, address, telephone number and email address of the person to be considered.
Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.
Effectiveness in communication.
Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.
Applications must be received by Oct. 31, and may be submitted at PugetSoundRecFishingGroup@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Ryan Lothrop, P.O. Box 43150, Olympia WA, 98504-3150. For more information, contact Lothrop at (360) 902-2808.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reason ... quest.html.

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