Release all marked fish in Priest Rapids pool
FISHING -- Because of a study that involves chemically anesthetizing fish, anglers must release all marked fish on the Columbia River reservoir behind Priest Rapids Dam from April 1-May 31.
Species affected by the emergency rule include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and northern pikeminnow
The Washington Fish and Wildlife announced the closure on Friday.
Read on for details.
Action: Temporarily close retention of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and northern pikeminnow with circular (hole) punches in their dorsal fin.
Effective date: April 1 through May 31, 2011.
Species affected: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and northern pikeminnow.
Location: Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to Wanapum Dam.
Reason for action: Grant County Public Utility District, with assistance from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will implant acoustic tags into selected game fish species to learn more about movement patterns within the Priest Rapids Pool. Game fish must be anesthetized in order to implant acoustic tags. The Food and Drug Administration stipulates that anesthetized fish must have a 21-day withdrawal period before fish can be consumed.
Other information: Informational signs including pictures of game fish with hole punched dorsal fins will be displayed at all accustomed public access sites on the Priest Rapids Pool. If anglers harvest any of the acoustic tagged game fish after May 31 and would like to return the tags, please contact Keith Garner at Grant PUD (509-754-5088, ext. 2654) or Rod O’Connor at Blue Leaf Environmental (509-210-7424).
