FISHING RULE CHANGE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

February 13, 2004

Action: The North Fork Stillaguamish River will close to all fishing March 1, 2004. The closure includes the March through May catch-and-release season.

Effective date: March 1 through May 31, 2004

Species affected: Steelhead and all other game fish.

Location: North Fork Stillaguamish River from its mouth upstream to the Swede Heaven Bridge

Reason for action: The forecast for Stillaguamish River wild winter steelhead returning this winter (2003/2004) is only 35 percent of the spawner escapement goal. Due to the low run size forecast this year every effort is being taken to minimize impacts on the wild run of steelhead. This closure includes catch-and-release fishing because of concerns over potential i