Icicle River Opens For Spring Chinook

Icicle River opens for hatchery chinook fishing

Action: Opens Icicle River for hatchery chinook salmon.

Effective dates: May 16, 2016, until further notice.

Species affected: Hatchery spring chinook salmon.

Locations: Icicle River (Chelan County).

1) From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.

2) From the closure signs located upstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery where Cyo Road would intersect the Icicle River at the Sleeping Lady Resort (RM 4.0) to the Icicle Peshastin Irrigation District footbridge approx. 750' upstream of the Snow Lakes trailhead parking area (RM 5.7).

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

GENERAL RULES: Mandatory retention of hatchery spring chinook. Hatchery spring chinook are identified by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar in its location.

Adipose present spring chinook must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

Night closure is in effect.

No gear restriction except 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: In-season run analysis has predicted that about 3,000 salmon are currently enroute to the Icicle River. Although upper Columbia River spring chinook have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the salmon returning to the Icicle River are a non-endemic stock returning to Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, and are not listed under the ESA. About 1,600 salmon are needed to meet hatchery broodstock requirements. The 2016 return ensures that the hatchery will meet its escapement needs; the remaining fish will be available for harvest.

Other Information: Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that the river can close at any time if hatchery broodstock requirements are not being met.

Anglers are required to possess a Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement as part of their valid fishing license. Revenue from the endorsement supports salmon or steelhead seasons on many rivers in the Columbia River system, including enforcing fishery regulations and monitoring the upper Columbia River spring chinook fisheries. The endorsement has generated more than $1 million annually for WDFW to maintain and increase fishing opportunities throughout the Columbia River basin.

Check the fishing hotline at 360-902-2500 or the webpage at https: //fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/. Information contact: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337, Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624 ext. 224.