Response from WDFW
I sent an email to WDFW regarding the upper Columbia steelhead closure and this is their response.
Any thoughts?
Thank you for your e-mail correspondence to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Fish Program, regarding the Methow River steelhead fishery. Our biologist and Manager on the Eastside, Heather Bartlett, has prepared the following response for you:
We do appreciate your frustration at the earlier than expected closure. You obviously are an avid steelhead angler that did brave the less than 20 degree fahrenheit weather to fish in early December. However, let us reassure you that during the first three weeks of fishing, or essentially up to the near spring run-off event that occurred in the area around Veteran's Day, we encountered 57 people fishing at Miller's Hole near Pateros alone. Some of these people were recording 36 plus fish per day through catch and release. We would agree that angler effort drops substantially once people have trouble keeping their guide on the pole free of ice, but then most of the impacts were reached within the first 20 days of fishing. To put the generalities in context, based upon the wild fish return number this year, the fishery was allowed to negatively impact 15 wild fish. We closed the fishery when we were at 14 wild fish. If we exceeded the 15 fish impact level, we would jeopardize future fisheries.
You are correct, we did have near a record run of upper Columbia River summer steelhead. Except, most (greater than 90%) were hatchery fish. The fishery is predicated on the need to remove hatchery steelhead, to aid in recovery. However, the triggers to open the fishery are based upon wild fish abundance at Priest Rapids Dam in September, and total run size. Unfortunately, we had a horrible return of wild fish.
Most (about 60%) of the wild (or naturally produced steelhead juveniles) migrate seaward after 2 years in the freshwater to spend two winters in salt water. Looking back, that meant the dominate age class for wild fish for this winter migrated seaward in 2001. As you may remember, the region was experiencing drought and California was seeking additional power, so minimal spring/summer spill occurred at the dams. This meant we had poor survival for seaward migrating fish, but especially steelhead. Poor juvenile migration for the dominate age class (>60%), correlates to poor adult return in 2 years.
The permit WDFW recently secured from NOAA Fisheries for our artificial production programs included recreational fishery opportunity in abundant return years. However, the fishery had to manage impacts to wild fish to be equal to or less than 2% in the Methow River. So, as you would expect, when the wild fish return is poor, then the 2% impact level is reached sooner than if the wild fish return were good.
We have two creel technicians dedicated 40 hours/week to the Methow River and Wells Pool (Columbia River) during the steelhead fishery. Their data, for the Methow River during the past month, would suggest as many as 15-20 anglers on weekends, and 5-10 anglers on weekdays.
We would be more than happy to discuss additional items you mentioned in your email. Please feel free to give the District Biologist Kirk Truscott a call at 509-664-1227, the Regional Fish Manager Joe Foster a call at 509-754-4624, or myself at call at 509-826-7341.
Sincerely,
Heather Bartlett
Eastern Washington Fish Program
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
PO Box 753
Omak, WA 98841
(509) 826-7341
(509) 429-3643 cell
(509) 826-7340 fax
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