Meeting Set To Discuss Management Options For Fall Fisheries On Kalama, Washougal Rivers

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will host a public meeting July 30 to discuss salmon-management policies on the Kalama and Washougal rivers.

The meeting is scheduled 6-8 p.m. at WDFW’s Region 5 Office, 2108 Grand Blvd., in Vancouver.

Cindy LeFleur, WDFW regional fish manager, said fishery managers want to talk with anglers and others who attend the meeting about ways to implement hatchery reform actions designed to support the recovery of wild salmon and steelhead returning to both rivers.

A refurbished handling facility recently installed near the Modrow Bridge on the Kalama River will play a significant role in that effort, LeFleur said.

“The improved handling facility will provide fishery managers with much more control over which fish are allowed to move upstream,” she said. “We’d like to discuss various options for what that might mean for managing fall chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead and the fisheries they support on the Kalama River.”

Another topic for discussion will be the recent change in the fishing boundary below the weir on the Washougal River.

“Starting this year, fishing will be closed within 1,000 feet downstream of the hatchery weir to help protect fish that hold in that area prior to migrating upstream,” LeFleur said. “If people have questions about that or other management decisions on these rivers, we’ll be there to answer them.”