If you thought steelhead regulations weren’t difficult to decipher already, low-forecasted returns have the state Department of Fish and Wildlife considering river-specific rules for coastal winter-run steelhead fisheries.
That was part of the takeaway of Tuesday’s third virtual town hall on coastal steelhead. The other? Many conservation-minded anglers and others feel its more than time for a season-long shutdown of recreational fishing, especially with Fish and Wildlife warning of ongoing issues in the Pacific Ocean.
The financial impact of a complete steelhead shutdown on the West End economy, especially one that could last an extended time, is enough to make one’s stomach queasy.
The Hoh and Quillayute river systems had the highest escapement and spawning goals as part of the 2020-21 return of 25,723 wild steelhead to coastal rivers. That number was described as the lowest return on record, as the Chehalis, Willapa, Humptulips, upper Quinault and Queets-Clearwater all finished well below their escapement goals.
Fish and Wildlife biologist James Losee walked the virtual attendees through an analysis of potential hybrid options.
Returning to the status quo of 2019-20’s winter steelhead fishery won’t happen on any river, but especially not on the Hoh or Quillayute river systems, as those more productive rivers are likely to draw more anglers.
Adopting last year’s regulations with limits on boat fishing, bait and gear would provide for seasons on the Hoh, Quillayute rivers and Willapa.
There’s also potential options for fishing from a boat on a reduced number of days, from select waters and for reduced hours (like a 6 a.m. to noon boat availability).
The Bogachiel Hatchery is forecasting a return of 4,169 early-season hatchery steelhead, so targeting that run with some special boat angling rules for a certain period seems like a worthy plan, while also protecting the later run of wild winter steelhead.
The harsh outcome of an Endangered Species Act listing also is something that no one really wants to see slapped on these coastal rivers — especially considering the 2007 listing of numerous Puget Sound steelhead rivers has yet to turn the tide in any positive direction for the species on that side of the water.
Ahead are a series of meetings with tribal co-managers and a Nov. 17 briefing in front of the state Fish and Wildlife Commission. A fourth town hall is planned later in November to share details from the tribal meeting, and a formal announcement on steelhead seasons will come in early December.
Razor clam digs
A new round of approved razor clam digs features nine straight days of digging leading up to Thanksgiving Eve.
• Tuesday: 4:58 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Wednesday: 5:28 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Friday, Nov. 19: 6:37 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Saturday, Nov. 20: 7:10 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Sunday, Nov. 21: 7:44 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Monday, Nov. 22: 8:21 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Tuesday, Nov. 23: 9 p.m. +0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Wednesday, Nov. 24 9:43 p.m.; +0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
All open beaches have increased limits through the end of 2021, with diggers allowed to keep 20 clams instead of the usual 15.
