First things first: Let’s get the rules straight

On May 1 – just three days after the opening of Washington’s general trout season – 38 new fishing rules will take effect statewide.

One rule change involving fish landing nets will require some fly fishers to make a trip to the tackle shop. It is an extension of a regulation enacted last year by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to increase survival rates of trout in lakes dominated by catch-and-release fishing.

Read the new state fishing regulations pamphlet carefully for the waters and species you intend to fish. Meanwhile, here are some rule changes of special note to spring anglers in Eastern Washington:

Knotless nets will be required when nets are used on “fly fishing only” waters. This is an expansion of the rule established last year requiring knotless nets at “selective fishery” waters.

Disabled permit holders will be allowed to fish from a boat equipped with an electric motor on all “fly fishing only” lakes where boats are allowed.

Deer Lake (Stevens County) will have a separate daily limit for smallmouth bass of 10 fish, no minimum size, no more than one over 14 inches may be retained. The trout daily limit will change to five fish, no more than two over 30 inches may be kept. Starting in 2008, the season will open March 1.

Okanogan River closed waters will extend below Zosel Dam to the first Highway 97 Bridge downstream of the dam.

Crab Creek’s fishing season in the stretch from Highway 26 to Morgan Lake Road in section 36 has been changed to April 1-Sept. 30, to standardize it with other waters on the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Rules in other sections of Crab Creek are not affected.

Small lead sinkers will be restricted for use on four lakes to help prevent lead poisoning in loons. It will be illegal for anglers to use lead sinkers one-half ounce or less while fishing in Ferry and Swan Lakes (Ferry County), Pierre Lake (Stevens County) and Bonaparte Lake (Okanogan County).

Medical Lake is now off limits to fishing from boats with motors.

Snake River rules have changed at the confluence with the Columbia. Check details in the new regulations pamphlet.