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September 15, 2004

Regulation changes for Lakes scheduled for rehabilitation

Action: Rule changes for game fish on lakes scheduled for
rehabilitation

Effective dates: Effective immediately

Species affected: All game species

Location: Ferry Co. Ellen Lake, Okanogan Co. Fish Lake, Silvernail
Lake, Rat Lake Grant Co. Upper Hampton Lake, Lower Hampton Lake, Hen
Lake, Pillar Lake, Snipe Lake, Cattail Lake, Shoveler Lake, Gadwall
Lake, Lemna Lake, Poacher Lake, Hourglass Lake, Sago Lake, Widgeon
Lake, North Potholes Reserve Ponds, Stevens Co. Rocky Lake

Other Information:

Ellen Lake (Ferry Co.):
Effective immediately through October 4, 2004 open to fishing for game
fish. Daily limits for game fish: None. Daily size limits for game
fish: None. October 5, 2004, closed to fishing for the remainder of the
season.

Fish Lake (Okanogan Co.):
Effective immediately through October 4, 2004, open to fishing for game
fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size limit for game
fish: None. October 5, 2004, closed to fishing for the remainder of
the season.

Silvernail Lake (Okanogan Co.):
Effective immediately through October 17, 2004, open to all anglers to
fishing for game fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size
limit for game fish: None. October 18, 2004 through December 31,
2004 - closed to fishing.

Rat Lake (Okanogan County):
Effective immediately until March 31, 2005, open to fishing for game
fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size limit for game
fish: None. Special Rules: Catch and release and selective gear
rules are suspended. April 1, 2005 through May 31. 2005 - closed to
fishing.

Upper and Lower Hamptons, Hen, Pillar, Snipe, Cattail, Shoveler,
Gadwall, Lemna, Poacher, Hourglass, Sago and Widgeon lakes (Grant
County):
Effective immediately through September 30, 2004, open to fishing for
game fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size limit for
game fish: None.

North Potholes Reserve Ponds (Grant County):
Effective immediately through September 30, 2004, open to fishing for
game fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size limit for
game fish: None. October 1, 2004 Closed to fishing for the remainder
of the season.

Rocky Lake (Stevens Co.):
Effective immediately through October 4, 2004, open to fishing for game
fish. Daily limit for game fish: None. Daily size limit for game fish:
None. Catch and release, and selective gear rules do not apply.
Effective October 5, 2004, closed to fishing for the remainder of the
season.

Reason for action: These lakes are scheduled for rehabilitation
utilizing rotenone.

Information contacts: John Easterbrooks, regional fish manager, (509)
575-2740; Jeff Korth, fish and wildlife biologist, (509) 754-4624; Curt
Vail, fish and wildlife biologist, (509) 456-4082

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the WDFW
"Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons
and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change.

Call the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360)
902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules or check the WDFW webpage at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm for details on fishing
seasons and regulations. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call
(360) 796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
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NEWS RELEASE

WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091

Internet Address: http://wdfw.wa.gov

Sept. 15, 2004
Contacts: Jeff Korth, (509) 754-4624, Ext. 3939;
Curt Vail, (509) 456-4082; Bob Jateff, (509) 826-7341

Fishing regulations eased on several eastern Washington lakes set for
rehabilitation

OLYMPIA - Several eastern Washington lakes will have catch limits and
other fishing regulations waived before closing to allow the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to treat them with rotenone.
The treatment will eliminate undesirable fish species and help restore
declining trout populations.

The lakes are infested with illegally or inadvertently introduced fish
species that are predators or compete with trout for space and food.
Treatment of the lakes with rotenone, a natural chemical from a plant
root, kills fish and allows for trout re-stocking at a later date.

All lakes to be treated for "rehabilitation" are listed below by
county, with rule changes effective immediately.

Grant County:
North Potholes Reserve Ponds: No size/daily limit; closed Oct. 1
through the end of the season (normally closes Oct. 15); rehab
treatment Oct. 1.

Upper and Lower Hamptons, Hen, Pillar, Snipe, Cattail, Shoveler,
Gadwall, Lemna, Poacher, Hourglass, Sago and Widgeon lakes on the
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge: No size/daily limit through Sept.
30; rehab treatment Oct. 11.

Okanogan County:
Fish Lake: No size/daily limit through Oct. 4; Closed Oct. 5 (normally
closes Oct. 31); rehab treatment Oct. 6-7.

Silvernail Lake: No size/daily limit and juvenile-only restriction
waived through Oct.17; rehab treatment late October. Closed Oct. 18
through Dec. 31 (normally open year-round for juveniles only).

Rat Lake: No selective gear rules, no size/daily limit through March
31, 2005; closed April 1 - May 31, 2005 (normally open Dec. 1 - March
31 under statewide rules and April 1 - Nov. 30 under catch-and-release
and selective gear rules); rehab treatment Spring 2005.

Ferry County:
Ellen Lake: No size/daily limit through Oct. 4; closed Oct. 5 through
the end of the season (normally closes Oct. 31); rehab treatment Oct.
5.

Stevens County:
Rocky Lake: No size/daily limit and no selective gear rules through
Oct. 4; closed October 5 through the end of the season (normally closes
Oct. 31); rehab treatment Oct. 5.