WDFW seeks opinions on fishing regulations

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for public comments on two proposals concerning anglers that fish the Columbia River. The WDFW is looking to make the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) fee permanent, and are offering an expanded version of the two-pole endorsement for warm water species fishing in the Columbia and Snake rivers. The CRSSE is required for any anglers who target salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries. The two-pole endorsement allows anglers to target walleye, bass, catfish, and other warm water species in sections of the Columbia River with two poles. According to the WDFW CRSSE webpage, the endorsement fee was enacted to “facilitate continued and, to the maximum extent possible, improved recreational salmon and steelhead selective fishing opportunities on the Columbia River and its tributaries by supplementing the resources available to the department to carry out scientific monitoring and evaluation, data collection, permitting, reporting, enforcement, and other activities necessary to provide such opportunities.” However, the fee was initially sold on the premise that it would be used to help facilitate moving commercial gillnetting of salmon off the mainstem Columbia River, into an off-channel area. It was part of an agreement between recreational salmon anglers and commercial salmon fishers worked out by former Oregon Governor John Kitzaber in 2009. The core elements of the arrangement were: Mainstem Phase-Out: The policy directed the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to move nontribal commercial gillnets out of the mainstem Columbia River. Off-Channel Transition: Commercial gillnetters were transitioned into designated off-channel areas, such as Youngs Bay near Astoria, where hatchery production was boosted to compensate for lost mainstem access. Recreational Priority: Mainstem harvest allocations were shifted toward sport fishermen to boost recreational fishing opportunities and regional economic benefits. Funding and Fees: Backed by legislative action (including Senate Bill 830 in 2013), the state introduced recreational license surcharges (up to $9.75 per year or $1 a day) to raise roughly $1 million annually for hatchery enhancements and program costs. Alternative Gear: The agreement allowed for the testing and use of alternative selective commercial fishing gear, such as seine nets, in the mainstem under specific conditions. The CRSSE expired in July 2019, after the legislature used general fund resources to backfill for the lost $1.2M in revenue generated by the endorsement every year. The legislature then reinstated CRSSE, passing House Bill 2003 to offset general fund state reductions amid the state’s budget shortfall. The bill took effect Jan. 1, 2026, but it includes an ending date of Jan. 1, 2028. However, Buddy Dupell, a fishing guide who often fishes the Columbia River, said the fee is no longer being used for its initial purpose, to move gillnets of the mainstem Columbia. He also believes that even if the public comments skew heavily against the fee, they will make it permanent. “I think it’s a rip-off,” said Dupell, “but I think that is the way they will go. We are seeing more gillnets on the river now than ever before.” The public may submit comments online at https://publicinput.com/u53270 or via email to Legaffairs@dfw.wa.gov Two-pole proposal The WDFW is also now accepting public comments on a proposed fishing rule change for game fish in the Snake and Columbia rivers. The proposed amendment would allow two-pole fishing for walleye, bass, channel catfish, northern pikeminnow, and other introduced warm water species year-round. In July, the WDFW received a petition to allow two-pole fishing for game fish in the Snake River. It was approved with modifications that included the Columbia River from the Washington/Oregon border upstream to Chief Joseph Dam. The expansion is part of an effort to reduce predation on out-migrating salmon and steelhead within the Columbia watershed. According to the news release: “Specifically, this rule project will allow anglers targeting walleye, bass, channel catfish, northern pikeminnow, and hatchery steelhead (Snake River only) to more efficiently harvest those species.” Toward the effort of reducing predation on young salmon, “The proposed amendments increase recreational opportunity in the Washington portions of the Columbia and Snake rivers and may increase angler exploitation of warm water piscine predators.” As for the practical aspects of the proposal, Dupell said it is not something guides are likely to utilize. “Most of the time I have five or six fishermen in the boat with me, and there is no way to put out two poles for everyone,” Dupell said. “But it will be beneficial for guys out there fishing for themselves.” Dupell does question whether the effort to reduce predation will actually help struggling salmon runs in the Columbia River basin. “They are trying to get rid of the walleye and bass because they eat the young salmon,” he offered, “but they have been doing that pikeminnow program for years, and we aren’t seeing more salmon.” “We can get rid of the bass and walleye, but the salmon will still not come in,” he added. He pointed to the many other reasons salmon are struggling, such as heavy commercial fishing within the Columbia, degradation of salmon habitat in the basin, and the effects of the hydropower system. More information about the altering of the rule is available on the WDFW website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/development/2026-two-pole-endorsement-snake-and-columbia-rivers The public may offer comments on the rule through Dec. 7. Comments may be submitted here: https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/ 20262polepetitioncr102 Comments can also be offered by telephone at 1-855-925-2801, project code 11057. Comments can also be emailed to 20262polepetitioncr102@publicinput.com WDFW will host a virtual public hearing via Zoom from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7, to present information about the proposed rule change and hear feedback and suggestions. Pre-registration is required. Guided trips Buddy Dupell, Columbia River Fishing Adventures: 503-490-3099, https://columbiariverfishingadventures.com/fishing/buddy-dupell/

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