Idaho Fish And Game To Propose Changes To Protect B-Run Steelhead

Idaho steelhead anglers who fish for the ocean-going trout this fall may need to carry a tape measure.

Idaho Fish and Game commissioners meeting in Boise this week will propose changes to the 1995 regulations to require a maximum limit of 30 inches for steelhead caught on the Snake River. The commissioners will suggest a catch-and-release season on the Clearwater.

Those steps are meant to protect the lean B-run of steelhead headed up the Columbia and Snake rivers to the Clearwater River.

A normal fishing season would result in insufficient numbers of fish returning to the Dworshak hatchery, Idaho Fish and Game Department officials say.

For years, anglers have been required to release all wild steelhead whose adipose fins have not been removed.

But under the proposed 30-inch size limit, anglers would be required to release even some hatchery steelhead caught in the Snake River below the mouth of the Salmon River.

The A-run steelhead, which spawn in the Snake and Salmon rivers, generally are less than 30 inches long. The return of the A-run has been healthy, with up to 75,000 fish expected to eventually reach Idaho.

Predictions are for 9,675 of the larger B-run fish to cross Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston this fall.

“In my mind, it seems pretty clear cut that this is the correct course of action to take.” said Idaho Fish and Game Commission chairman Keith Carlson.

Carlson said he is unsure what Oregon and Washington will do. Unless those states change their regulations, anglers downstream will be allowed to keep B-run steelhead while Idaho fishermen cannot.

Nez Perce permit required

If you fish the Clearwater River within or bordering the exterior boundaries of the 1863 Nez Perce Indian Reservation, you will need a $10 Nez Perce permit, said Merle V. Powaukee of the tribe’s fisheries resource management department.

Permits are available at the following places:

Jay’s Gone Fishin’, Clarkston; Marsh’s Trading Post and Tri-State Outfitters, Lewiston; Nez Perce Express 11, Hatwai; Tribal Fisheries, Valley Foods and Wheeler’s Smoke Shop, Lapwai; Thunderbird Smoke Shop, Culdesac; Tribal Fisheries, Riverside Smoke Shop, Orofino Smoke Shop and Bonaparte’s Smoke Shop, Orofino; Nez Perce Express 1, Kamiah, and Smokin’ John’s, Kooskia.

Ski volunteers needed

Cross-country skiers are looking for volunteers to help clear trails at Mount Spokane Saturday before the snow flies.

Inland Empire Nordic Club members will meet at Selkirk Lodge at 9 a.m. and provide a lunch to all workers. Bring work gloves, water, chain saws, buck saws, loppers, clippers or shovels.

Info: Jim Downing, 448-5094.

Lake rehabilitation

About 50 Fish and Wildlife Department officials and employees are treating Badger and Williams lakes with rotenone today and Thursday to kill unwanted species.

The department is using 90,000 pounds of rotenone to kill tench, smallmouth bass, speckled dace and a small number of trout in Williams and smallmouth bass, dace and some trout in Badger.

District fishery biologist Bob Peck, who is supervising the rehabilitation of the two lakes, said that the department is spending about $123,300 on the program.

Bucket biologists are responsible for releasing the non-trout species into the two lakes.

Small trout will be released into the lakes after the toxicity vanishes.

Wetland tribute

A 40-acre wetland in the Columbia Basin that was improved for wildlife through private and public cooperation will be dedicated Saturday at 10 a.m.

The wetland, just southeast of George in Grant County, had been overgrown with bulrushes and the aquatic weed called purple loosestrife. The area was of little value to waterfowl and other wildlife.

Last spring, the private conservation group Ducks Unlimited targeted the wetland for improvement work under their Matching Aid to Restore State’s Habitat program and contributed about $25,000. Work was coordinated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.