Fishing closed for hatchery steelhead

Fishing for hatchery winter steelhead closed Jan. 16 in four areas,

the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced.

The closure was imposed because relatively few hatchery fish have

returned to WDFW hatcheries at Tokul Creek, Reiter Ponds

and Marblemount, creating a shortage of eggs for future fish rearing.

The closed areas are:

• The Snoqualmie River from Snoqualmie Falls downstream to

Plum Access boat launch ramp, approximately one-quarter mile

downstream from the mouth of Tokul Creek.

• Tokul Creek from the mouth to the posted cable boundary

marker, approximately 700 feet upstream.

• The Skykomish River from 1,500 feet upstream to 1,000 feet

downstream from Reiter Ponds outlet.

• The Cascade River from its mouth to the Rockport-Cascade

Road Bridge.

The areas are expected to reopen for hatchery steelhead fishing

on March 1, or earlier if egg-take needs are met.

Fishers are reminded to check the WDFW fishing hotline at (360)

796-3215 for information on emergency rule changes.

Eastside banquet to help

Ducks Unlimited

The Snoqualmie Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will hold its

2000 fundraising banquet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the

Embassy Suites Eastgate in Bellevue.

Last year 288 Eastside residents attended the event and

contributed over $65,000 to help conserve and enhance wildlife habitat in

Washington and throughout North America.

“The Pacific Northwest is one of the fastest growing parts of the

country and we’re losing a lot of prime wildlife habitat,” said Ted

Burris, Snoqualmie Valley chapter chairman.

In three years DU’s Pacific Northwest Initiative has completed or

is working on 111 projects in Western Washington, covering 40,000

acres. Over $13 million has been raised by DU members in Washington

during this time to help fund the initiative. In the Puget Sound region, DU is

expanding its successful Barley for Birds program and is working on wetland

restorations on both public and private lands.

Several projects were completed in the Skagit and Snohomish River

valleys and several more are planned. Restorations in the Samish Flats

and Lake Terrell state wildlife areas are also part of the initiative.

The cost for the banquet is $75 for individuals and $105 per couple,

and includes dinner, drinks and membership in Ducks Unlimited. For

tickets and information on the Snoqualmie Valley Ducks Unlimited banquet,

call (206) 344-1166.