Field reports: Limits increasing for Roosevelt trout

FISHING – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Friday to eventually increase the daily catch limit of hatchery-marked rainbow trout from five to 10 a day at Lake Roosevelt.

Wild redband trout with intact adipose fins would have to be released, except one wild fish over 18 inches long could be kept.

Changes in seasons around the mouths of some spawning areas are planned.

The exact date the rule will be enacted hasn’t been determined.

The new rule was proposed by the Colville and Spokane tribes as a way to increase survival of the isolated native redbands upstream from Grand Coulee Dam while increasing fishing opportunity for anglers.

The redbands are unique, found nowhere else, with genetics worth preserving, say fish managers from the tribes and state.

Mule Deer Summit

to spotlight research

HUNTING – The Okanogan Trails chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation is coordinating a free, public Mule Deer Summit, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on March 12 at the Elks Lodge, 110 Ash St. in Omak.

Presentations include:

• Deer biology-ecology, professional research, by Woody Myers, Washington Fish and Wildlife Department ungulate researcher, with Sara Hansen, agency deer specialist.
• Okanogan mule deer habitat after the fires, by Jeff Heinlen, department biologist.
• Deer kill research on Highway 97, by Kelly McAllister, state Department of Transportation.
• Fawn mortality in Okanogan County, by Carolyn Shores, University of Washington.

Disabled hunters apply for permits by April 1

HUNTING – April 1 is the deadline to apply for one of 25 disabled-hunter vehicle-access permits to access otherwise gated areas on Inland Empire Paper Company lands. Permits will be distributed in a lottery drawing.

Applications are available through the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, (509) 328-6429, or on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, wdfw.wa.gov/ accessibility.

Fly Fishers’ annual event

funds volunteer projects

FISHING – The Spokane Fly Fishers are offering more than 100 new and used items at their annual fundraising raffle to benefit fish conservation and angler programs. The event is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy.

The event has funded regional projects such as purchasing aerators to prevent fish kills, rehabbing local streams, improving access at Amber Lake, plantings stabilizing vegetation along riverbanks and clean-up projects.

Other club programs this week include:

• Rehabilitating rare Philippine eagles, by Joe and Cordi Atkinson, 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d’Alene, for Coeur d’Alene Audubon.
• Forestry for the birds, by Mike Munts, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Riverview Retirement Center, for Spokane Audubon.