Clarification Of Fishing Regulations For Skykomish & Wallace Rivers

Clarifies fishing rules on the Skykomish and Wallace rivers

Action: Clarifies fishing regulations on the Skykomish and Wallace rivers. A rule change dated Jan. 14, 2019, provided confusing information on the use of a floating device in those rivers. The prohibition of the use of a floating device applies only to the Wallace River and one section of the Skykomish River.

Regulations are as listed below.

Effective date: Immediately through Feb. 15, 2019.

Species affected: All species.

Locations and rules:
Skykomish River: Rules as described in the 2018-2019 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

• From mouth to mouth of the Wallace River: closed to fishing.
• From the mouth of the Wallace River to the forks: Gamefish open: Dolly varden/bull trout; min. size 20", may be retained as part of trout daily limit. Other trout; min. size 8" except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout min. size 14". Trout daily limit: 2. In the section from 1,000' downstream to 1,500' upstream of Reiter Ponds outlet fishing from any floating device prohibited.

Wallace River:

• From the mouth to 200 feet above the hatchery water intake: Gamefish open: Dolly varden/bull trout; min. size 20", may be retained as part of trout daily limit. Other trout; min. size 8" except cutthroat trout and wild rainbow trout min. size 14"'. Trout daily limit: 2. Other gamefish; statewide min. size/daily limit. Fishing from a floating device prohibited.

Reason for action: The Wallace River and Reiter Ponds hatcheries have now collected enough early winter steelhead broodstock to meet egg take goals. The early winter steelhead release goals are 140,000 smolt from Reiter Ponds and 27,600 smolt from the Wallace Hatchery.

Additional information: Wallace River Hatchery grounds are closed dusk through 7 a.m. daily.

Information contact: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 fish biologist, 425-775-1311 (ext. 107).

Fishers must have a current W