Fish and Wildlife approves new angling rules

Thirty-seven changes to the state’s sportfishing rules were approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission during a meeting February 2-3.

The new fishing rules will be incorporated into the "2007-08 Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet, which will be available statewide in early May.

Rule proposals approved by the commission include:

• Defining a boundary for regulatory purposes between the Snake and Columbia rivers at their confluence in Pasco.

• The reopening of the Lewis River power canal from the fishing pier to the access road at Swift Dam to fishing from the last Saturday in April through October 31.

• Prohibiting green sturgeon retention statewide.

• Limiting anglers on the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream to the Hamilton Boat Launch to one sturgeon per day.

• Closing Murray Creek in Pierce County to fishing.

The commission did not adopt proposals to expand a catch-and-release steelhead fishery in the Skagit River, and another to prohibit the use of lead sinkers weighing a half-ounce or less at Ferry and Swan lakes in Ferry County and Pierre and Bonaparte lakes in Okanogan County.

The commission approved a measure that will allow more flexibility for hunters with a disability to hunt near the roadway, and adopted a North of Falcon policy, which provides direction to fishery managers in defining annual non-treaty salmon fishing seasons in Washington.