Archive for December, 2010

As of Friday, Dec. 24 at 9 p. m.

All median flow comparisons are for the Dec. 24 history at each gauge. Individual hatchery steelhead reports are through Thursday, Dec. 23 unless noted.

NOOKSACK/SAMISH RIVERS

SPORT FISHERY: For the Nooksack and Samish permanent regulations, see pages 33-35 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. 

Alert: The emergency sport fishing closure order applying to the North Fork Nooksack from Mosquito Lake Road upstream to 1,000 feet above Kendall Creek Hatchery outlet has been lifted.

It’s again legal to fish for and retain trout and other gamefish, including hatchery-origin winter-run steelhead, under the permanent regulations in that section of river.

The temporary closure imposed Dec. 1 on the five-mile stretch of the North Fork below Kendall Creek Hatchery was intended to protect potential spawning adult steelhead homing on the facility.

The fish production facility has received enough fish to make its 175,000 egg-take goal for the Nooksack hacthery steelhead program.   

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Maritime Heritage Center (Whatcom Creek hatchery winter-run steelhead): 12 adults as of Dec. 15. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
• Kendall Creek Hatchery (Nooksack hatchery winter-run steelhead): 98 adults up from 54 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 24 adults.

FLOW – NF Nooksack River Deadhorse Gage

• Recent: 870 c.f.s., sawtooth raise, now 369 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Dec. 25 to steady through Monday, Dec 27.

FLOW – South Fork Nooksack River Saxon Gage

• Recent: 563 c.f.s., slight raise, now 32 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
• Forecast: slight raise through Saturday, Dec. 25 to steady through Monday, Dec 27.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

• Recent: 3,070 c.f.s., slight drop, now 460 c.f.s. below median flow for date. Water temperature 42.44 degrees Fahrenheit   
• Forecast: steady raise to 7,200 c.f.s. through Monday, Dec 26.

FLOW – Samish River Burlington Gage

• Recent: 293 c.f.s., steady drop, now 83 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
• No Forecast

SKAGIT RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: For the Skagit’s permanent regulations, see pages 35-37 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit winter steelhead): 169 adults up from 142 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 70 adults including eight Baker and 62 Marblemount adults.

FLOW – Skagit River Marblemount Gage

• Recent: 4,260 c.f.s., dropping, now 1,100 c.f.s. below median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.
• Forecast: slight drop through Monday, Dec. 27.

FLOW – Cascade River Marblemount Gage

• Recent: 710 c.f.s., steady drop, now at median flow value for date.
• Forecast: slight raise through Monday, Dec. 27.

FLOW – Sauk River Sauk Gage

• Recent: 3,110 c.f.s., slight raise, now 350 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
• Forecast: raise to 4,700 c.f.s. by Monday, Dec. 27.

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 37-38 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The South Fork Stillagaumish above Granite Falls is open under an emergency order for catch and release and selective gear rules.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish summer steelhead): 41 adults up from 39 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 27 summer steelhead.
• Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish winter steelhead):  123 adults up from 106 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 10 winter steelhead.

FLOW – North Fork Stillaguamish River Arlington Gage

• Recent: 2,280 c.f.s., steady, now 700 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: slight through Saturday, Dec. 25 to steady, then step raise Monday evening, Dec. 27.

SNOHOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 38-40 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for Snohomish system opportunities.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish summer steelhead): 483 adults as of Nov. 19. Same week total in 2009 – 506 summer steelhead.
• Wallace River Hatchery (Snohomish hatchery summer steelhead): 526 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 485 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
• Reiter Ponds (Skykomish summer steelhead): 282 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 655 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
• Tokul Creek (Snohomish hatchery winter steelhead): 355 adults up from 240 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 63 adult hatchery winter steelhead.

FLOW – Skykomish River Gold Bar Gage

• Recent: 2,610 c.f.s., slight raise, now 200 c.f.s. below median flow for date.
• Forecast: raise through Saturday, Dec. 25 then raise from Sunday evening, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 27.

ELWHA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Elwha Hatchery (unknown origin winter steelhead): 1 adult. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Elwha River McDonald Bridge Gage

• Recent: 3,250 c.f.s., sharp step raise, now 1,700 c.f.s. above median flow for date under power generation fluctuation.
• Forecast: dropping from Saturday, Dec. 25 to steady Monday, Dec. 27.

SOOES RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Makah National Fish Hatchery (Sooes winter steelhead): 632 adults up from 504 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 99.

No gage.

QUILLAYUTE RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach information on page 58-59 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers also open for salmon and trout. Salmon closes Tuesday, Nov. 30.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Bogachiel Hatchery (Bogachiel winter steelhead): 815 adults up from 559 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 1,144 adult winter steelhead.
• Sol Duc Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 520 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 381 summer steelhead.
• Bogachiel Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 1,237 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 597 summer steelhead.

No gage.

QUINAULT RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Quinault National Fish Hatchery (Quinault winter steelhead): 4,205 adults as of Dec. 8. Same week total in 2009 – 1,269 adult winter steelhead.

FLOW – Quinault River Lake Quinault Gage

• Recent: 6,940 c.f.s., sharp raise, now 3,520 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• No Forecast.

HUMPTULIPS RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips winter steelhead): 166 adults up from 133 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 80 adult winter steelhead.
• Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips summer steelhead): 50 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 111 adult summer steelhead.

FLOW – Humptulips River Gage

• Recent: 4,830 c.f.s., sharp storm raise, now 2,100 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• No Forecast.

WILLAPA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Forks Creek Hatchery (Willapa winter steelhead): 521 adults up from 423 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 123 adult hatchery and 1 wild winter steelhead.

FLOW – Willapa River Willapa Gage

• Recent: 925 c.f.s., dropping, now 57 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: rolling raise through Monday evening, Dec. 27 then dropping through Wednesday Dec. 29.

COWLITZ RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information starting on page 51 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz hatchery winter steelhead): 1,150 hatchery adults up from 848 fish last week. Same week total in 2009 – 808 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 8,355 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 5,159 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 605 hatchery adult summer steelhead as of Dec. 15. Same week total in 2009 – 1,041 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Cowlitz River Castle Rock Gage

• Recent: 9,880 c.f.s., steep drop, now 1,820 c.f.s. below median flow for date under hydroelectric generation regime.
• Forecast: sharp steady raise through Tuesday, Dec. 28 to 21,000 c.f.s through Wednesday Dec. 29.

KALAMA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery winter steelhead): 291 hatchery and 68 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2549 hatchery and 26 wild winter steelhead.
• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery summer steelhead): 1,440 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,230 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery/wild summer steelhead): 2,045 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,280 hatchery/wild summer steelhead.

No gage.

LEWIS RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery summer steelhead): 9,108 hatchery adults as of Dec. 8. Same week total in 2009 – 6,624 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery winter steelhead): 1,276 hatchery and 10 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,113 hatchery and three wild winter steelhead.

FLOW – Lewis River Ariel Gage

• Recent: 7,560 c.f.s., dropping, now 1,750 c.f.s. above median flow under daily power generation flow fluctuations.   
• No forecast.

WASHOUGAL RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: See page 60 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Skamania Hatchery (Skamania summer steelhead): 4,081 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,625 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Skamania Hatchery (Skamania winter steelhead): 382 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 167 hatchery and 3 wild winter steelhead.

No gage.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Greater Okanogan streams now closed for salmon but there are special openings on sections of the Okanogan, Methow and Similkameen rivers for hatchery steelhead only. Additionally, special steelhead openings are underway on the Wenatchee and Entiat rivers. See page 82 of the 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for the winter whitefish season. The Columbia River is open for steelhead (see pages 77-78 of the regulations pamphlet) above Priest Rapids Dam.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Wells (Wells summer steelhead): 1,339 adults with 1,009 released. Same week total in 2009 – 1,278 summer steelhead with 910 released.

FLOW – Okanogan River Tonasket Gage

• Recent: 1,040 c.f.s. steady, now 10 c.f.s. above median flow for date. Water temperature 35.06 degrees Fahrenheit.   
• Forecast: slight steady drop through Friday, Dec. 31.

FLOW – Methow River Winthrop Gage

• Recent: 303 c.f.s. steady, now 31 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady through Friday, Dec. 31.

FLOW – Methow River Pateros Gage

• Recent: 511 c.f.s. slight drop, now 141 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady through Friday, Dec. 31.

FLOW – Entiat River Ardenvoir Gage

• Recent: 174 c.f.s., steady drop.   
• Forecast: steady drop through Sunday, Dec. 31.

FLOW – Wenatchee River Plain Gage

• Recent: 1,260 c.f.s. steady drop, now 398 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady drop through Friday, Dec. 31.

Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hatchery Program; U.S. Geological Service National Water Information System and Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

As of Sunday, Dec. 19 at 11 a. m.

All median flow comparisons are for the Dec. 19 history at each gauge. Individual hatchery steelhead reports are through Thursday, Dec. 2 unless noted.

NOOKSACK/SAMISH RIVERS

SPORT FISHERY: For the Nooksack and Samish permanent regulations, see pages 33-35 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. 

Alert: North Fork Nooksack is closed to fishing from Mosquito Lake Road upstream to 1,000 feet above Kendall Creek Hatchery outlet for steelhead recruitment to hatchery.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Maritime Heritage Center (Whatcom Creek hatchery winter-run steelhead): 12 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.
• Kendall Creek Hatchery (Nooksack hatchery winter-run steelhead): 54 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1 adult.

FLOW – NF Nooksack River Deadhorse Gage

• Recent: 684 c.f.s., steady drop, now 218 c.f.s. below median flow for date.   
• Forecast: slight drop to steady through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

FLOW – South Fork Nooksack River Saxon Gage

• Recent: 657 c.f.s., slight steady drop, now 51 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: slight drop to steady through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

FLOW – Nooksack River Ferndale Gage

• Recent: 4,170 c.f.s., steady, now 30 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady drop through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

FLOW – Samish River Burlington Gage

• Recent: 458 c.f.s., steady drop, now 174 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• No Forecast

SKAGIT RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: For the Skagit’s permanent regulations, see pages 35-37 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Marblemount Hatchery (Skagit winter steelhead): 142 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 22 adults including two Baker and 20 Marblemount adults.

FLOW – Skagit River Marblemount Gage

• Recent: 6,580 c.f.s., dropping, now 1,340 c.f.s. above median flow for date under daily power generation fluctuations.
• Forecast: steady slight drop through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

FLOW – Cascade River Marblemount Gage

• Recent: 1,030 c.f.s., dropping, now 420 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: steady slight drop through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

FLOW – Sauk River Sauk Gage

• Recent: 4,370 c.f.s., steady drop, now 1,010 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: steady slight drop through Wednesday, Dec. 22. 

STILLAGUAMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 37-38 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. The South Fork Stillagaumish above Granite Falls is open under an emergency order for catch and release and selective gear rules.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish summer steelhead): 39 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 26 summer steelhead.
• Whitehorse Hatchery (NF Stillaguamish winter steelhead):  106 report. Same week total in 2009 – 1 winter steelhead.

FLOW – North Fork Stillaguamish River Arlington Gage

• Recent: 2,800 c.f.s., steady drop, now 700 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: steady slight drop through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

SNOHOMISH RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See pages 38-40 of Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for Snohomish system opportunities.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Sunset Falls Fish Transfer Facility (Skykomish summer steelhead): 483 adults as of Nov. 19. Same week total in 2009 – 506 summer steelhead.
• Wallace River Hatchery (Snohomish hatchery summer steelhead): 526 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 485 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
• Reiter Ponds (Skykomish summer steelhead): 282 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 655 hatchery adult summer steelhead.
• Tokul Creek (Snohomish hatchery winter steelhead): 240 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 8 hatchery adult winter steelhead.

FLOW – Skykomish River Gold Bar Gage

• Recent: 4,050 c.f.s., slight drop, now 1,110 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: slight drop to steady through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

ELWHA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Elwha Hatchery (unknown origin winter steelhead): 1 adults. Same week total in 2009 – no report.

FLOW – Elwha River McDonald Bridge Gage

• Recent: 2,110 c.f.s., steady step drop, now 510 c.f.s. above median flow for date under power generation fluctuation.
• Forecast: steady through Wednesday, Dec. 22.

SOOES RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Makah National Fish Hatchery (Sooes winter steelhead): 504 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 106 no report.

No gage.

QUILLAYUTE RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach information on page 58-59 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet. Hoh, Quinault, Bogachiel, Calawah and Dickey rivers also open for salmon and trout. Salmon closes Tuesday, Nov. 30.  

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Bogachiel Hatchery (Bogachiel winter steelhead): 559 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 415 adult winter steelhead.
• Sol Duc Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 520 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 381 summer steelhead.
• Bogachiel Hatchery (Quillayute summer steelhead): 1,116 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 597 summer steelhead.

No gage.

QUINAULT RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Quinault National Fish Hatchery (Quinault winter steelhead): 4,204 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,269 adult winter steelhead.

FLOW – Quinault River Lake Quinault Gage

• Recent: 4,140 c.f.s., steady drop, now 810 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• No Forecast. 

HUMPTULIPS RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips winter steelhead): 133 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 80 adult winter steelhead.
• Humptulips Hatchery (Humptulips summer steelhead): 50 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 111 adult summer steelhead.

FLOW – Humptulips River Gage

• Recent: 2,650 c.f.s., steady to slight daily raises, now 960 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• No Forecast.

WILLAPA RIVER

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Forks Creek Hatchery (Willapa winter steelhead): 423 adults. Same week total in 2009 – 123 adult hatchery and 1 wild winter steelhead.

FLOW – Willapa River Willapa Gage

• Recent: 1,540 c.f.s., steady, now 725 c.f.s. above median flow for date.
• Forecast: steady to Thursday, Dec. 23 then rolling raise Friday Dec. 24. 

COWLITZ RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information starting on page 51 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz hatchery winter steelhead): 848 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 669 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 8,818 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 5,158 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Cowlitz Trout Hatchery (Cowlitz summer steelhead): 605 hatchery adult summer steelhead. Same week total in 2009 – 1,041 hatchery summer steelhead.

FLOW – Cowlitz River Castle Rock Gage

• Recent: 14,400 c.f.s., slight drop, now 1,200 c.f.s. above median flow for date under hydroelectric generation regime.
• Forecast: steady to Thursday, Dec. 23 then slight rolling raise Friday Dec. 24. 

KALAMA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery winter steelhead): 130 hatchery and 17 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 69 hatchery winter steelhead.
• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery summer steelhead): 1,440 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 1,230 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Kalama Falls Hatchery (Kalama hatchery/wild summer steelhead): 2,040 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,268 hatchery/wild summer steelhead.

No gage.

LEWIS RIVER SYSTEM

SPORT FISHERIES: See reach closure information on page 55 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery summer steelhead): 9,108 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 6,624 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Merwin Dam FCF (Lewis hatchery winter steelhead): 435 hatchery and 5 wild adults. Same week total in 2009 – 141 hatchery and two wild winter steelhead.

FLOW – Lewis River Ariel Gage

• Recent: 5,780 c.f.s., flat steady, now 1,600 c.f.s. below median flow under daily power generation flow fluctuations.   
• No forecast.

WASHOUGAL RIVER

SPORT FISHERY: See page 60 of 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Skamania Hatchery (Skamania summer steelhead): 4,078 hatchery adults. Same week total in 2009 – 2,529 hatchery summer steelhead.
• Skamania Hatchery (Skamania winter steelhead): 154 adults as of Dec. 6. Same week total in 2009 – 135 hatchery and 3 wild winter steelhead.

No gage.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

SPORT FISHERIES: Greater Okanogan streams now closed for salmon but there are special openings on sections of the Okanogan, Methow and Similkameen rivers for hatchery steelhead only. Additionally, special steelhead openings are underway on the Wenatchee and Entiat rivers. See page 82 of the 2010 Fishing in Washington regulations pamphlet for the winter whitefish season. The Columbia River is open for steelhead (see pages 77-78 of the regulations pamphlet) above Priest Rapids Dam.

FACILITY (Stock/Species)

• Wells (Wells summer steelhead): 1,339 adults with 1,009 released. Same week total in 2009 – 1,278 summer steelhead with 910 released.

FLOW – Okanogan River Tonasket Gage

• Recent: 1,110 c.f.s. dropping, now 60 c.f.s. above median flow for date. Water temperature 32.9 degrees Fahrenheit.   
• Forecast: slight steady drop through Sunday, Dec. 26.

FLOW – Methow River Winthrop Gage

• Recent: 314 c.f.s. steady, now 34 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady through Sunday, Dec. 26.

FLOW – Methow River Pateros Gage

• Recent: 540 c.f.s. steady, now 145 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: steady through Sunday, Dec. 26.

FLOW – Entiat River Ardenvoir Gage

• Recent: 196 c.f.s., slight drop.   
• Forecast: steady drop through Sunday, Dec. 26.

FLOW – Wenatchee River Plain Gage

• Recent: 1,800 c.f.s. steady, now 825 c.f.s. above median flow for date.   
• Forecast: slight steady drop through Sunday, Dec. 26. 

Sources: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Hatchery Program; U.S. Geological Service National Water Information System and Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.