Meeting set Thursday regarding Kalama salmon management

A public meeting to discuss salmon management policies for the Kalama and Washougal rivers will begin at 6 p.m. July 30 at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2108 Grand Blvd.

State officials want to talk with anglers and other about ways to implement hatchery reforms to support recovery of wild salmon and steelhead returning to both rivers.

A refurbished fish-handling facility installed recently near Modrow Bridge on the Kalama River will play a significant role, said Cindy LeFleur, regional fish program manager.

The new handling facility will give fishery managers much more control over which fish are allowed to move upstream.

LeFleur said the session will discuss various options for managing fall chinook, coho and steelhead in the Kalama.

Another topic will be the recent change in the fishing boundary downstream of the weir on the Washougal River.

Starting the year fishing will be closed within 1,000 feet downstream of the hatchery weir to protect fish that hold in the area before migrating upstream.