Regulations Question

[Mike Carey]

absolutely, it's a good discussion, especially for those newer to fishing in Washington and trying to figure out our complex fisheries regs. We all can use the help...

To be clear on my statement, I am speculating when I talk about what a WDFW officer would presume when I mentioned lake Washington as an example.

My statements are based on my interpretation of what I'm reading in the regs. I could be totally wrong and end up with a ticket, but I don't think so. I usually release any trout I catch when kokanee fishing, unless it's a quality fish. I can honestly say, I've never had a problem cross-catching rainbows when going after kokanee, but that's another conversation.

[hewesfisher]

I do understand that it is a bit of a judgment call. the reason I raised this question was that a few weeks ago I went to lake Chelan to target KoKanee, and ended up with 1 nice one at 18", then I went on to catch and release several trout while still targeting Kokanee at various depths. And last weekend I was out there again and the same thing happened, although I did not get any Kokanee. another member posted a report and he caught 1 Kokanee and 2 nice Trout. It just seemed to me that this is worth clarification. I understand if I am plunking with Powerbait, and end up catching over my limit of Trout, and if WDFW came to me and asked what was going on, an I told them that I was trying to catch Kokanee, and these pesky trout keep biting, that I would probably receive a citation. I try not to be in violation of the rules, and always check the special rules, and emergency rules for areas I am fishing. It is complicated, and I think this Kokanee/trout thing is Lake Chelan is a bit of a gray area, and worth being aware of.

Lake Roosevelt has the same exclusion for kokanee as Chelan. I view the rules for Roosevelt this way, the 5 rainbow AND 6 kokanee daily limit is a combined limit, therefore, I can catch 11 TROUT within the limitations set forth in the Special Rules Section. Once I catch, and/or release, 11 Trout while using bait, I am through for the day. Now, if I am specifically targeting rainbow, and I usually do, I stop after 5 rainbow, BUT, if I want to change gear and tactics to chase kokanee while using bait, I'm completely within the rules to do so. The key phrase in the Special Rules Section for Lake Roosevelt is:

KOKANEE Year-round No min. size. Daily limit 6. No more than 2 with intact adipose fins.
All Other TROUT Year-round No min. size. Daily limit 5. Up to 2 over 20" may be retained. KOKANEE not included in TROUT daily limit.

Now, if you're sitting on the bank plunking powerbait for trout in a lake where kokanee are not included in the trout limit and continue fishing after catching 5 other TROUT, well, it's obvious you are not using techniques or tactics to target kokanee.