Local News

Fishing opens on Salmon Creek

Aug 04, 2014

Action: Opens Salmon Creek to fishing.

Effective dates: Aug. 2 through Oct. 31, 2014.

Species affected: Smallmouth bass, brook trout, adipose-clipped rainbow trout.

Location: Salmon Creek from the Okanogan Irrigation District diversion (7.2 km upstream of the mouth) to Conconully Reservoir Dam.

Reason for action: Salmon Creek has been designated as a recovery stream for steelhead listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Sufficient water has been procured for Salmon Creek to attract spawning steelhead adults. However, non-native species such as smallmouth bass and eastern brook trout along with residual juvenile hatchery steelhead have increased competition and predation making recovery efforts more difficult.

Daily limits: Smallmouth bass and eastern brook trout - no minimum size, daily limit 10 each. Adipose-clipped rainbow trout - minimum size 10 inches, daily limit 10. All other trout and salmon species must be released. Selective gear rules are in effect.

Other information: For rainbow trout, only fish with a clipped adipose fin and a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin can be retained.

Information contact: Ryan Fortier, District 6 Fish Biologist in Twisp, (509) 997-0316; or Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager in Ephrata, (509) 754-4624.