Northwest Fishing Reports

When using flies or other artifical bait that is not swallowed (mouth hook), does catch & release count as part of the limit? I tried searching the forums and didnt come up with any on this topic and just need to refresh my memory. Specifically concerning trout daily limits.

Using the regs, this is my thinking:

daily limit is what someone can legally keep. - I am not keeping the fish, so this would not apply.

under bait rules I found "...or where lures or flies are used voluntarily, Game Fish may be caught and released until the daily limit is retained. If any fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so."

so as long as A) Im not using bait, B) there is no special rules for that body of water stating otherwise, C) and the fish hasnt swallowed the hook or had been caught in the gill or eye or tongue, then catch & release is permissible until the daily limit is retained. (or I add in, if it isnt bleeding profusely which to me normally means a gill injury)

Correct? This is how I have fished in the past. I know to some this should be a no brainer, but my brain is second guessing itself right now and it has been a couple years since Ive fished.

Sounds like you've got it. Bait = it counts towards your daily limit whether you retain or release.... Artificial lure = catch and release all day...
There are exceptions though... if you're fishing a selective gear fishery, scent on an artificial lure either A) isn't allowed or B)the fish you do catch count towards your daily limit ..... unless!!!! there is additional listed info in the reg for the body of water you are fishing.
examples: Rufus Woods and the current reg on the Wenatchee River(read the regs and that thread and the links I provided for details)
Question: If you haven't fished in a couple years because you can't afford the license, you better get out there this weekend! June 7th and 8th is the free fishing weekend! Get out there! Get the line wet! http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/free/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; OK, not a question.. just go fishing! No excuses!

Here's where we beat this pretty hard a few months ago:
http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/vi ... =2&t=19857" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My advice is to ALWAYS read the Special Rules section for whatever body of water you plan to fish FIRST.

Then, and only then, will you know if there are any additional restrictions for catch and release fishing like at Rufus Woods, which requires no bait and single barbless hooks. If nothing is stated in the Special Rules section, statewide rules apply.

Yeah i always check the regs before heading out even if i checked ek the night before. Hit williams today and limited out with an hour once we figured out which powerbait to use.

The two years w/o fishing was one year i was too busy. Last year every time i had the kids it was raining it seemed or they didnt want to go. This year is the year i cant afford it

Way to go! That's an awesome lake! Congrats! What's the plan for tomorrow? It's another free fishing day, take advantage of it till ya can pick up that license. Best of luck!

MarkFromSea wrote:Way to go! That's an awesome lake! Congrats! What's the plan for tomorrow? It's another free fishing day, take advantage of it till ya can pick up that license. Best of luck!

No clue. No gas money. No boat