Washington seeks comment on tighter trout and kokanee rules for Rufus Woods Lake and Lake Roosevelt

Two big Columbia River reservoirs in northeast Washington could see new harvest rules. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said Nov. 4 it is taking public comment on proposals for Rufus Woods Lake and Lake Roosevelt.

At Rufus Woods Lake, anglers would only be allowed to keep trout with a clipped adipose fin. WDFW says the change is meant to protect native redband trout and bring state rules in line with those of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

At Lake Roosevelt, the daily kokanee limit would drop from six fish (no more than two with an intact adipose fin) to two. The agency notes that no clipped hatchery kokanee have been released into the lake in about a decade. The proposals came from petitions filed in July, and WDFW Director Kelly Susewind approved moving them forward.

Comments are open through Dec. 7. People can comment online, by email at 2026rwlrpetitioncr102@publicinput.com, or by phone at 1-855-925-2801 using project code 8798. A virtual public hearing on Zoom is scheduled for Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m., and speakers need to register in advance.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Nov. 4, 2026).