Rule changes aplenty

The 2010-2011 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet will list numerous modifications to seasons or regulations, most of which take effect May 1.

Changes affecting Inland Northwest anglers include:

Lake Roosevelt’s kokanee daily limit will change from two fish to six, no more than two with intact adipose fins.

Hatchery fish are now being fin-clipped so they can be distinguished and impacts on wild fish can be minimized.

Rufus Woods Lake – Either a state permit or a tribal permit will suffice when fishing from the water or within Designated Fishing Areas, which are marked as such on the Colville Reservation shoreline. A Washington state license is still required when fishing from the Douglas County shoreline.

The daily limit for trout and/or kokanee is two. Any trout caught using bait must be included as part of the daily limit. Only uninjured fish caught using artificial lures or flies with single barbless hooks may be released.

Sherman Creek in Ferry County will change to the standard stream season, opening the first Saturday in June through Oct. 31.

Crayfish rules will require fishermen to know the difference between native Pacifastacus crawfish and non-native northern and redclaw crayfish.

Limits on catch, sex and size will apply to native crawfish while there will be no limits on the non-native intruders.

Note: All non-native crayfish must be dead before removing them from the riparian zone and must be kept in a separate container from native crayfish.

Sturgeon seasons will be more limited in the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Steelhead fishing will be closed in a stretch of Mill Creek (Walla Walla County).

The two-pole option will be allowed in most waters, including Lake Roosevelt, but a long list of exceptions will be detailed in the pamphlet.

Buoyant lures will be easier to use without conflicting with snagging rules because of rule modifications.

New fee: Anglers 15 and older are required to have a Columbia River Salmon-Steelhead Endorsement with their fishing license while fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia and tributaries to be listed in the new pamphlet.