Icicle River Opens For Chinook, Saturday June 24th

Icicle River will open late for spring chinook fishing

Action: Open the Icicle River to salmon fishing.

Effective dates: June 24 through July 31, 2017.

Species affected: Hatchery spring chinook salmon.

Effective Locations: Icicle River (Chelan County).

1. From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth of the river to 500 feet downstream from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
2. From the shoreline markers where Cyo Road intersects the Icicle River at the Sleeping Lady Resort to the Icicle Peshastin Irrigation Footbridge (approximately 750 feet upstream from the Snow Lakes trailhead parking area).

Daily limit: Two hatchery chinook (adult or jack), minimum size 12 inches. (Anglers are reminded that they may retain only one daily limit of salmon regardless of the number of waters they fish in.)

General Rules:

• Retention of hatchery spring chinook is mandatory. Hatchery spring chinook are identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar in its location.

   

• Spring chinook with an intact adipose fin must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

   

• Night closure is in effect.

   

• No gear restrictions, except that the two-pole endorsement does not apply to this fishery.

   

• Release all spring chinook with one or more round 1/4 inch diameter holes punched in the caudal (tail) fin.

   

• Motorized vessels are not allowed on the Icicle River (Chelan County ordinance 7.20.190 Motorboat restrictions).

   

Reason for action: Due to a low estimated run escapement, the river remained closed to spring chinook fishing to ensure meeting broodstock needs at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Broodstock collection goals have now been met, so a sport fishery can be opened for the remaining hatchery spring chinook salmon. An estimated 300 spring chinook, mostly 3-year-old jacks, are available for harvest.

Information contact: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337, Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624 x 224.