Wind River, Drano Lake launch permits no longer sold on-site

STEVENSON — Daily permits to launch boats at the Wind River and Drano Lake ramps in Skamania County will no longer be sold on-site at the two Columbia Gorge locations.

Instead, anglers and others will need to buy their launch permit off-site. Permits will be sold in 2016 at four locations in Skamania County and one in Klickitat County.

The locations are Home Valley Store in Home Valley, Main Street Convenience, Hegewald Center and the Skamania County Annex in Stevenson and Bridgemart in Bingen.

Main Street Convenience and Bridgemart are open daily, 24 hours a day.

The Skamania County Commissioners also have changed the fee structure slightly for the two ramps, which are very popular during the spring chinook season in April and May. Drano Lake ramp also gets heavy use during the summer and fall.

Skamania County residents can buy an annual pass for $10, a discount from the previous amount. Non-residents pay $75 for an annual pass if bought in January through June, $55 if bought in July, August or September and $35 if purchased in October, November or December.

A one-day pass will cost $5. In 2015, a one-day pass cost $5 for Skamania County residents and $7 for others.

Three-day passes will be sold for $12.50.

New this year will be an annual pass for commercial guide services. That pass will cost $350.