Action: Adopt a minimum size limit of 7 inches and a maximum size limit of 14 inches total length for retention of kokanee in Cle Elum Lake and Cooper Lake.

Effective Date: July 3, 2013 until further notice.

Species Affected: Kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon; Oncorhynchus nerka)

Locations: Cle Elum Lake (Reservoir) and Cooper Lake in Kittitas County

Reason for Action: The Yakama Nation and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife continue to reintroduce anadromous (sea-going) sockeye salmon in the upper Cle Elum Basin, an effort began in 2009. Few, if any, anadromous adult sockeye will be smaller than 16 inches and few landlocked kokanee are greater than 12 inches.

Therefore a 14-inch maximum size limit will allow kokanee fisheries in both lakes to proceed without inadvertently harvesting adult sockeye dedicated to the reintroduction effort and needed for natural spawning in the fall. The 7-inch minimum size for retention will protect juvenile anadromous sockeye rearing in the two lakes from being inadvertently harvested before they smoltify and migrate to the ocean.

Other Information: The daily limit in Lake Cle Elum remains the same (16 kokanee), see Page 87 in the 2013-14 sport fishing rules pamphlet. The daily limit for all trout (including kokanee) remains five fish in Cooper Lake.

Information Contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330