Mexican Fish Report

Action: Rescinds the Sept. 4, 2021 fishing rule change that closed all angling in the northwest corner of the lake. Returns all waters of Drano Lake to rules published in the 2021-2022 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. Fishing for or retaining steelhead remains closed through Oct. 31, 2021 under permanent rules.

Effective date: Oct. 9, 2021

Species affected: All species.

Location: In the waters downstream of markers on point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 Bridge.

Reason for action: The northwest corner of Drano Lake was closed to all angling in early September to reinforce an existing permanent regulation that closed fishing for retention of steelhead to minimize sport fishery impacts on ESA-listed steelhead. Water temperature in the adjacent mainstem Columbia River has continued to decrease. It is now below the threshold that caused steelhead to enter Drano Lake for refuge and delay their migration up the Columbia earlier in the summer. Even as Chinook catch rates rise, recent creel surveys have not recorded any steelhead encounters. Additionally, catch data from prior years indicate steelhead encounters are proportionately very low in October. Returning Drano Lake to permanent rule will provide additional opportunity for anglers to harvest salmon, while managing steelhead impacts within allowable limits.

Additional information: Anglers are reminded that fishing for and retention of steelhead remains closed throughout Drano Lake. Please refer to the 2021-2022 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional angling rules specific to Drano Lake.

Information contact: Matthew Gardner, District Fish Biologist, 360-906-6746