2015-16 Sportfishing Regulations 2015-16 Proposals – (Public Hearing) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Summary Sheet .................................................................................................... 1 of 217 2015-16 Sport Fishing Rule Change Proposals with Summarized Public Testimony ............................................................................................................. 3 of 217 CR-102 ............................................................................................................... 27 of 217 Attachment A (purpose of the proposal and its anticipated effects, including any changes in existing rules and reasons supporting proposal) ....................... 29 of 217 WAC 220-56-510 Game fish possession limits and size limits ........................... 31 of 217 WAC 220-56-105 River mouth definitions ........................................................... 34 of 217 WAC 220-55-220 Two-pole endorsement .......................................................... 37 of 217 WAC 220-56-210 Fly fishing ............................................................................... 41 of 217 WAC 220-56-282 Sturgeon—Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts.............. 42 of 217 WAC 220-310-175 Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—General rules ... 44 of 217 WAC 220-310-185 Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Southwest ........ 45 of 217 WAC 220-310-195 Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Eastside ........... 67 of 217 WAC 220-310-200 Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia ........ 116 of 217 Columbia Basin Stream Strategy Tables Table Codes ..................................................................................................... 125 of 217 Region 1 North (Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties) ...................... 127 of 217 Region 1 Middle (Adams, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties) ............................................................................... 135 of 217 Region 1 Proposed Mandatory Retention of Hatchery Steelhead .............. 139 of 217 Region 1 South (Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties) ...................................................................................... 141 of 217 Region 2 Okanogan County Methow River ............................................... 151 of 217 Region 2 Okanogan County Okanogan River ............................................ 155 of 217 Region 2 Adams, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties ............................ 159 of 217 Region 2 Columbia River Mainstem ............................................................ 171 of 217 Region 3 Winter Whitefish Seasons Before and After Stream Strategy ...... 173 of 217 Region 3 Stream Strategy ........................................................................... 175 of 217 Region 5 Klickitat and Skamania counties .................................................. 183 of 217 Region 5 Columbia River Mainstem ............................................................ 189 of 217 Region 5 Proposed Mandatory Retention of Hatchery Steelhead ............... 193 of 217 Region 5 Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties .................................................................................. 195 of 217 12-03-14 Summary Meeting dates: Dec 12-13, Commission Meeting Agenda item: Sportfishing Regulations 2015-16—(Briefing/Public Hearing) Presenter(s): Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager, Fish Program Chris Donley, Inland Fish Program Manager, Fish Program Jeff Korth, Region 2 Program Manager, Fish Program John Easterbrooks, Region 3 Program Manager, Fish Program John Weinheimer for Cindy Le Fleur, Region 5 Program Manager, Fish Program Background summary: In April 2014 the Commission approved a three year rotating rule cycle where staff and public propose conservation and significant recreation rules that pertain to waters within the Columbia Basin the first year (2014), freshwaters of the Puget Sound and Coastal regions the second year (2015), and marine finfish, forage fish, and shellfish the third year (2016). The public was asked to submit rule proposals for the Columbia Basin during the month of May for the upcoming 2015-2016 sportfishing season(s). Proposals were posted online from August 12 through December 1 to receive written public comment. Policy issue(s) you are bringing to the Commission for consideration: Establish rules and regulations for the upcoming 2015-16 sportfishing season(s) to ensure conservation of the fish and shellfish resource, and provide sustainable recreational fishing opportunities. Public involvement process used and what you learned: A public news release, online notice through the department website, and an email to the regulation change email list in May notified people about the ability to submit rule proposals online. (Members of the public who were unable to submit proposals online were provided paper copies.) A public news release, online notice through our website, and an email to our regulation change email list in mid-August notified people of the opportunity to comment on sportfishing regulation proposals. Further, an email was sent to each member of the public that submitted a proposal to notify them of the status of their proposal and the ability to comment online. Department staff provided explanations for proposals that we recommend for further consideration and for proposals that were not recommend for further consideration. The end date for submitting written comments was December 1, 2014. Members of the public who were unable to view or comment online were provided paper copies of the recommended proposals and a form for comments. The comment forms were entered online by WDFW staff. In addition, public meetings (one per Columbia Basin region) were held to discuss the proposals and proposal process. One presentation was given to an advisor group. This meeting is the public hearing for the 2015-16 proposals. Action requested: NA-Briefing and Public Hearing Draft motion language: NA 1 of 217 Justification for Commission action: This action is justified under RCW 77.12.047. Communications Plan: The public (including people that submitted proposals) and our advisor groups were notified about the proposal submittal and proposal comment periods by e-mail, press release, and our website. The proposal comment period additionally included Columbia Basin regional public meetings. The department website provided instructions, associated documents, a timeline, and the ability to submit and comment on proposals. (Members of the public who were unable to view or comment on proposals online were provided paper copies.) Form revised 12/5/12 2 of 217 2015-2016 SPORT FISHING RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS December 3, 2014 3 of 217 TABLE OF CONTENTS SPORTFISHING RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS ..................................................................................................... 1 NOT REGION SPECIFIC/ BASIN WIDE ................................................................................................................... 1 # 1. TECHNICAL CHANGES........................................................................................................................................... 1 # 2. REMOVE INTERNAL COMBUSTION MOTORS PROHIBITION ON SMALL STREAMS.............................................. 2 # 3. BLACK FRIDAY TROUT OPENER ........................................................................................................................... 5 # 4. TENKARA FLY FISHING GEAR ............................................................................................................................... 5 # 5. STREAM STRATEGY FOR THE COLUMBIA BASIN ................................................................................................ 6 # 6. STATEWIDE GENERAL WALLEYE RULES............................................................................................................ 8 # 7. MODIFY SOME YEAR ROUND LAKES TO A MARCH 1 OPENER ............................................................................ 8 REGION 1...................................................................................................................................................................... 10 # 8. SNAKE RIVER STURGEON................................................................................................................................... 10 # 9. SPRING AND BLUE LAKES YEAR ROUND SEASON............................................................................................... 10 REGION 2...................................................................................................................................................................... 11 # 10. EXTEND FISHING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER ........................................................ 11 # 11. EASTERN BROOK TROUT LIMIT REMOVED...................................................................................................... 11 # 12. UPPER AND LOWER GREEN LAKES SEASON ADJUSTMENT............................................................................. 12 # 13. MOLSON LAKE DAILY LIMIT REDUCED FROM 5 TO 2 FISH............................................................................. 12 # 14. IMPLEMENT YEAR-ROUND SEASON AND STATEWIDE GENERAL RULES FOR SELECTED LAKES TO MANAGE FOR MIXED SPECIES POPULATIONS..........................................................................................................................