FISHING -- New sportfishing rules have been adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for the mainstem Columbia River, its tributaries and lakes within the basin.

Meeting last weekend in Tumwater the commission approved 31 rules that cover fishing seasons, daily catch limits and other regulations. Changes include:

• Implementing additional conservation measures in the Columbia River Basin, such as fishing closures at numerous small natal streams and selective gear rules in some waters, to provide greater protection for wild salmon and steelhead
• Prohibiting the retention of sturgeon on the Snake River and its tributaries. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing would be maintained.
• Adjusting size and daily catch limits for kokanee in Cle Elum Lake, while removing daily limits for eastern brook, brown, and lake trout.

The commission did not adopt a proposal that would have changed most year-round lakes to March-opening seasons.

Summaries of the changes will be available on the agency's website by late January.

The commission also elected Brad Smith chair and Larry Carpenter vice-chair through December 2015. Smith has served on the commission since June 2009 and as vice-chair since 2013. Carpenter has served on the commission since December 2011.