News Release

Remember Lake Roosevelt NRA Rules During June 15 Sturgeon Fishery Opening

Date: June 9, 2020
Contact: Denise Bausch, 509-754-7830

Coulee Dam, WA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently announced a harvest fishery for white sturgeon, starting June 15 until further notice, in Lake Roosevelt from Grand Coulee Dam to China Bend Boat Ramp, including the Spokane River from Highway 25 Bridge upstream to 400 feet below Little Falls Dam, Colville River upstream to Meyers Falls, and the Kettle River upstream to Barstow Bridge. (See the rule change at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=2506.)

The daily limit is one sturgeon and the annual limit is two sturgeon. Only sturgeon between 50 and 63 inches fork length (from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail) can be retained. WDFW regulations require anglers to bring retained whole sturgeon to shore prior to cleaning to allow checks for compliance with the slot size limit rule.

As a reminder, Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 2.14(a)(7) prohibits disposing of fish remains on land or in waters within 200 feet of boat docks or swimming beaches, or within developed areas. Sturgeon carcasses can be disposed in deep water more than 200 feet from shore facilities.

In addition to state licensing requirements for charter boats and fishing guides (see https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/commercial/fishing-charter-guide-requirements), anyone interested in providing fishing guide services within the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area must have a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA). CUA applications take a minimum of 30 days to process; details are available at: https://www.nps.gov/laro/getinvolved/dobusinesswithus.htm.

While the Washington State Stay at Home order has lapsed and four of the five counties (Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties) surrounding Lake Roosevelt have entered Phase 2 of the Washington State Safe Restart plan (https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-safe-start-proclamation-county-approach-re-opening), Washington State, while modified, remains in Phase 1. At this time, the National Park Service reminds everyone that campgrounds, restrooms, fish cleaning stations, and other facilities at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will remain closed until further notice. For more information on how you can prepare for your visit to Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, check our Recreate Responsibly page (https://www.nps.gov/laro/planyourvisit/recreate-responsibly.htm).

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/laro and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.