Share Issue On Sturgeon Gets Stickier

Indian fishermen have netted almost 5,000 white sturgeon in Grays Harbor this year, a move that might further complicate efforts to reach a sturgeon sharing agreement between Columbia River sportsmen and gillnetters.

Almost all sturgeon between Puget Sound and the mid-Oregon coast are believed to be produced in the lower Columbia River between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam.

Sturgeon wander freely between the Columbia River estuary and Bonneville. Some head into the ocean and are captured in Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, Tillamook Bay and Puget Sound.

As salmon runs have dwindled, sport fishing for Columbia River sturgeon has ballooned. Sturgeon are, by far, the most-sought species in the lower Columbia, supporting almost 200,000 fishing trips a year.

Sturgeon also are prized by Columbia River commercial fishermen, whose seasons have been almost eliminated in order to avoid catching endangered Snake River salmon.

Currently, about 50,000 sturgeon are allowed to be harvested on the lower Columbia each year. Washington and Oregon have adopted increasingly strict regulations to prevent overharvest of the large, slow-growing fish.

Sportsmen catch about 85 percent of the allowed harvest. Columbia River commercial fishing interests want their share increased to 25 percent.

Sturgeon sharing between sport and commercial fishermen is expected to be one of the first difficult Columbia River issues to face the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission since the panel’s authority was expanded by voter approval of Referendum 45 last year.

Relations between lower Columbia sport and commercial fishermen over sturgeon have been contentious the past two years. Tribal harvest from the same population of fish, yet outside of the Columbia River, could make matters even more complex.

Wallowa stretch now Scenic River

Ten miles of the Wallowa River in the Blue Mountains have been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, with a classification of recreational, the National Park Service reported from Seattle.

“As the result of the designation,” Rory Westberg, superintendent of the Columbia Cascades System Support Office said, “the use and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural, cultural and recreational resources of the Wallowa will be ensured.”

The stream provides excellent trout fishing.

Fishing dock planned

The Fish and Wildlife Service will build a public fishing dock at Potter’s Pond on the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge this fall, Lisa Langelier, refuge manager, reported.

Improvements at the 15-acre lake will include the 30-foot-long fishing dock, a new restroom, gravel parking and boat launch areas.

Langelier said installation of the dock’s support poles will require a gradual drawdown of the pond’s water level. Waterfowl that are using the lake now are expected to move to Bayley Lake just below Potter’s Pond.

Comment invited at Sandpoint

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be holding an open house on 1996-97 waterfowl season from 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Federal Building in Sandpoint. Written and oral comments will be considered by the department in setting final regulations.

The tentative proposal is for a 93-day duck season (Oct. 5-Jan. 5). The fall flight forecast is up 8 percent over last year. The higher duck numbers would allow an increase to seven ducks a year, including no more than one hen mallard, two pintails, two redheds and one canvasback.

Canada goose populations also are at high levels. The proposed season for geese in northern Idaho would run Sept 28-Jan. 5 with four geese allowed daily, the same as last year.

, DataTimes