Due to drought, Washington state bans or limits fishing on over 30 rivers

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Drought conditions are prompting state officials to prohibit or limit fishing on more than 30 rivers statewide to help protect fish.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says the closures and restrictions are effective Saturday, until further notice.

Washington's record low snowpack this winter means there hasn't been much snowmelt to replenish streams and rivers this summer when migrating salmon and other fish need it most. Fish may get stranded by low river flows or harmed by warm stream temperatures.

Several rivers across the state will be closed to fishing. They include sections of the Kettle, Wenatchee, Teanaway and Skykomish River.

Fishing on some rivers will also be limited to between midnight and 2 p.m. to avoid stressing fish during the hotter times of the day.

The agency says it will post detailed information here on closures and restrictions on its website Friday.

Fishing closures and restrictions are listed by region below. Today’s action does not include any rivers in Region 6 (South Sound/Olympic Peninsula). However, earlier this summer, the department closed fishing on a section of the Sol Duc River to protect returning chinook during drought conditions.

 

Region 1 – Eastern Washington

 

Closed to fishing:


     

    Hoot-owl restrictions:


       

      Region 2 – North Central Washington

       

      Closed to fishing:


         

        Region 3 – South Central Washington

         

        Closed to fishing:


           

          Hoot-owl restrictions:


             

            Region 4 – North Puget Sound

             

            Closed to fishing:


               

              Hoot-owl restrictions:


                 

                Region 5 – Southwest Washington

                 

                Closed to fishing:


                   

                  Hoot-owl restrictions:


                     

                    WDFW has also closed fishing for spring chinook on the Grande Ronde River in eastern Washington due to low river flows.

                     

                    For more information about drought’s impact on fish and wildlife, visit WDFW’s drought webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/drought/.