Icicle River to reopen for spring chinook fishing
FISHING -- Wow, we barely got the notice out that the Icicle River was closing to spring chinook fishing before fish managers changed their mind. Here's the notice just posted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:
Actions: Anglers will again be able to fish for and retain adipose-fin-clipped adult and jack spring chinook salmon on the Icicle River (Chelan Co.).
Effective dates: June 20, 2013 through July 31, 2013.
Daily limit: Daily limit two adipose-fin-clipped spring chinook (adult or jack), minimum size 12 inches.
Species affected: Spring chinook salmon.
Location: Icicle River, from the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth to 500 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
Reason for action: The river was closed temporarily to ensure meeting broodstock needs. Conditions over the past few days favored fish passage, and the remaining 400 adults needed for broodstock were obtained. There are still 500-1,000 spring chinook forecast, mostly 3 year old jacks, available for harvest.
Other Information: Night closure will be in effect. The regulation allowing two-pole angling on the Columbia River is not in effect on the Icicle River. The Columbia River barbless hook requirement does not apply to the Icicle River.
