Bounty Program Extended For Catching Pikeminnows

The hottest action for anglers cashing in on the bounty for northern pikeminnows has been in the Lewiston Greenbelt area of the Snake River and the Vernita stretch of the Columbia River.

The bounty program, which rewards anglers with $3-$5 for each squawfish they turn in to check stations along the rivers, was scheduled to end Monday. However, the Oregon and Washington fisheries departments have extended the reward program through Oct. 15.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department reports that the 103 anglers who registered for the squawfish reward program in the Greenbelt caught 1,104 pikeminnows last week, while the 54 registered anglers at Vernita caught 1,171.

Many check stations will operate under reduced hours during the three-week extension. However, with so much activity at Lewiston and Vernita, the check-in hours will continue to be noon to 8 p.m., officials said.

Anglers must self-register at the check stations before going fishing.

The reward system pays from $3 to $5 dollars for each pikeminnow returned to the check stations.

Info: (800) 858-9015.

Road and trail guides available

Hunters using off-highway vehicles on Clearwater National Forest lands can pick up a free copy of the 2000 travel guide to find out what roads and trails are restricted or closed this time of year.

The guide provides details that can’t be displayed on the small-scale forest map.

The travel guide includes maps of several road and trail systems recommended for travel with motorcycles and OHVs. In addition, it includes maps of restricted travel areas and requirements for travel in these areas.

Info: (208) 476-4541.

Information gatherers

Beginning Oct. 1, national forest visitors may see Forest Service employees wearing bright orange vests in developed recreation sites and along forest roads.

They will be standing near a signs indicating they are taking a voluntary recreation-use survey.

The Forest Service is gathering information that will be useful in managing recreation as well as to local community tourism planning, according to officials at the Clearwater National Forest.

The survey takes 5-10 minutes. All information is confidential, officials said.

Ringold steelheading opens

A 32-mile section of the Columbia River from the U.S. Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers is being opened for steelhead fishing Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

Wild steelhead must be released, but a daily limit of two hatchery steelhead with missing adipose or ventral fins may be retained.

About 3,000 Wells stock hatchery steelhead released from Ringold Springs rearing ponds are expected to return to this section of the Columbia River. Most of the fish will be concentrated in the Ringold area.

Based on the 10-year average, 88 percent of Upper Columbia steelhead pass Priest Rapids Dam before Oct. 1. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that little harm will be inflicted in endangered steelhead stocks because more than half of those that pass the dam after Sept. 30 will be upstream of the open fishing area by Oct. 1.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Fees reduced

Off-season camping fees at all Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area fee campgrounds will be reduced to $5 per site from Oct. 1 through April 30, 2001.

Due to winter weather, some services, such as water systems, may not be operational in every campground. Seasonal boatlaunch permits, valid through the end of the year, will be reduced to $20 on Oct. 1.