The Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam to 400 feet below Wells Dam will open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead one hour before sunrise Nov. 6, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
     The stretch will be open until further notice, say department officials.
     Anglers have a two-fish daily limit, a 20-inch minimum size and selective gear rules except that bait, scent and motorized vessels are allowed, according to the department’s announcement. A night closures are in effect
     All other game fish gear rules do not apply during steelhead season, the announcement continued.
     “Anglers are strongly encouraged to retain the first two adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead caught,” according to the announcement. “It is unlawful for anglers to continue to fish once the daily limit of steelhead has been retained.”
     Those fishing also must release any steelhead with an anchor (floy) tag attached and, for all waters, any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately and may not be totally removed from the water before release, said department officials.
     The fishery is designed to reduce the proportion of hatchery-origin steelhead on spawning grounds, minimizing impact to wild steelhead and thus increasing natural production, according to the announcement.
     Anglers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. The "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet contains additional details on fishing seasons and regulations, note department officials.
     Fishing rules are subject to change; anglers are advised to check the department’s fishing hotline, (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules, for the latest rule information, according to the announcement.