Washington Legislature Cuts Local Hatchery Funding Impacting Recreational Fishing Opportunities

Clark County residents are facing significant changes to local recreational fishing opportunities following budget cuts to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). During a recent council meeting, officials highlighted that the state legislature's decision to reduce WDFW's budget has led to the elimination of critical hatchery programs in the region.

One of the most impactful cuts involves the complete closure of the steelhead hatchery on the Washougal River, which will result in no smolts being released. This means that local anglers will lose all winter fishing opportunities for steelhead, a popular target for recreational fishing in the area. Additionally, another hatchery further upstream, primarily focused on salmon, will see substantial reductions in its operations. The release of summer-run steelhead smolts will drop from 75,000 to just 25,000, severely limiting fishing prospects on the Washougal.

The council noted that these cuts are particularly concerning given that the East Fork Lewis River is already closed to fishing due to impacts on wild fish stocks. Historically, local hatcheries were established to offset these losses, making the recent cuts even more troubling for the community.

In response to these developments, council members expressed the need to elevate this issue during upcoming legislative meetings, aiming to advocate for the restoration of funding to support local hatcheries. The implications of these cuts extend beyond recreational fishing, affecting local economies that rely on fishing-related activities. As discussions continue, the council remains focused on finding solutions to mitigate the impact of these budget reductions on the community.