DAYTON – The Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is enacting rule changes for the Tucannon River steelhead and other gamefish fisheries, along with steelhead fishery changes on some Snake River tributaries.

For the Tucannon River, downstream of the Tucannon Hatchery Bridge, the WDFW is extending the fishery for gamefish, including steelhead, through April 15. The daily limit on hatchery steelhead is increasing from two to three fish. Mandatory hatchery steelhead retention is required. Barbless hooks are required while fishing for steelhead and gamefish. Other species must be released.

The Tucannon River from the Tucannon Hatchery Bridge upstream is closed to fishing from Feb 1 through April 15, 2018.

The WDFW is rescinding emergency rule changes on the Touchet and Walla Walla rivers that limited steelhead retention to two hatchery fish. Beginning Feb. 1, the daily limit for hatchery steelhead in those rivers has in increased to three fish for the following locations: The Touchet River from the confluence of the North and South Fork Touchet Rivers and all tributaries; The Walla Walla River from the mouth to the Oregon State line.

For more information contact Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist, by phone at: (509) 382-1005.