Three tributaries of Columbia River designated wild steelhead gene banks

In what is a major victory for wild steelhead, and a decision that is sure to make many a pro-hatchery talking head explode, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife yesterday designated three tributaries of the lower Columbia River as "wild steelhead gene banks," where it will no longer release steelhead raised in fish hatcheries.

Starting this year, WDFW will no longer plant hatchery steelhead in the East Fork Lewis River or the North Fork Toutle/Green River. The Wind River, which has not been stocked with steelhead since 1997, will also be off-limits to any future releases.

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There was even better news if you care about wild fish....

Jim Scott, assistant director of WDFW's Fish Program noted that WDFW plans to create more wild steelhead gene banks throughout the state in the years ahead.

"During the next six months, we will be focusing on establishing wild steelhead gene banks for Puget Sound and lower Columbia tributaries below the Cowlitz River," Scott said. "As with the plan announced today, our goal will be to continue to make those fish available for area fisheries where doing so is consistent with our steelhead conservation goals."