WDFW - Ringold, Hanford Reach and Yakima River Fishing Reports

March 2, 2009
An estimated 167 steelhead were caught in the Ringold fishery in February (Hwy 395 to old Hanford town site). Of these, 113 were retained. Catch consisted of 80 Adipose+Right Ventral fin clip, 72 Adipose only clipped, and 15 unclipped steelhead. Overall this season, 3,286 steelhead have been caught and 1,954 retained. Catch, harvest, and angler effort have been higher in the 2008-09 fishery than in the previous four years.

WDFW staff sampled 27% of the total angler effort in February ( 155 anglers interviewed). Overall effort was estimated at 2,168 angler hours. Bank anglers averaged one steelhead for each 20 hours of fishing in February. Boat anglers faired a bit better at 10 hours per steelhead.

The fishery will be open for both bank and boat through the month of March. On April 1 through April 15, this fishery is restricted to the eastern shoreline adjacent to the Ringold Springs Fish Hatchery and is restricted to bank fishing only (see Washington Sportfishing Rules for more details).

Catch typically picks up in March and April. In 2008, bank anglers averaged one steelhead for every three hours of fishing.