Boaters wanting to catch rainbow trout at Swift Reservoir need to fish this weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 2).
The water elevation at Swift Forest Camp boat ramp is at 978 feet. At elevations lower than 975 feet, use of the ramp is difficult, especially for larger boats.
Trout fishing has been quite good at Swift this year. Trollers will want to use 5 ounces of weight and have 80 or more feet of line out.
The lower end of the reservoir tends to fish best in late summer.
After Labor Day, it is very likely the water level at Swift will drop below 975 feet elevation.
Washington outlines emergency rules for CWD
Washington officials have signed off on a suite of emergency rules meant to stem the spread of chronic wasting disease, including mandatory testing in three hunting districts and transport restrictions for dead animals.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the rules a little more than three weeks after the state confirmed its first case of the always-fatal disease in a white-tail deer in north Spokane.
The new rules require CWD testing for any deer or elk killed by hunters or salvaged in game management units 124, 127 and 130, a broad area surrounding the spot where the CWD positive deer was found. They also prohibit the use of bait for hunting in those units.
They also prohibit moving dead animal parts from most of Eastern Washington to other parts of the state, with the exception of deboned meat.
Increased testing is meant to help the agency better understand the outbreak and the transport and bait rules are designed to limit its spread.
The rules are WDFW’s first major step toward dealing with the condition, which affects deer, elk and moose. Though they are temporary, the agency said in a news release that it plans to propose permanent rules for approval by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.
WDFW police launch body camera program
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will be deploying body-worn cameras to all 152 commissioned law enforcement officers beginning in September. The program aims to boost accountability, transparency, and safety in natural resource law enforcement.
The body-worn camera program is being implemented following a comprehensive review and trial period, during which feedback from officers and stakeholders was incorporated to ensure that the technology meets the needs of the agency and the community.
“This program advances our commitment to our core values and our mission to protect our natural resources and the public we serve,” said WDFW Police Chief Steve Bear in a statement. “Deploying body-worn cameras to our officers will help us build trust and relationships with all communities in Washington.”
Workshop on new boating regulations to protect Southern Resident killer whales
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public input at a virtual boater engagement workshop from 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Starting in 2025, vessels will be required to stay a minimum of 1,000 yards away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales in Washington waters.
To ensure that the state’s boaters have the tools and information they need to follow these new regulations, WDFW and the Orca Regulations Communications Advisory (ORCA) Group are hosting a Boater Engagement Workshop to hear directly from vessel operators and the boating public.
Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on initial education, outreach, and/or communication planning related to the 2025 vessel regulations as well as on draft messages and outreach methods to help boaters comply with the upcoming regulations.
Anyone who boats or paddles in the Salish Sea is encouraged to attend, and online registration is required for this event.
