Northwest Fishing Reports

Was talking to someone the other day and they mentioned that they heard that if you are fishing at Rufus woods by the camping location at the second set of pens from Grand Coulee Dam, then you don't need Indian reservation license. And it only specifically at the campground.

It was my understanding that any shore fishing on the "other" side of the river required Reservation License.

Only if you don't posses a valid WA fishing license. The State paid the Tribe big bucks for a reciprocal agreement so it's no longer necessary.

I have a WA Fishing License, as well as have the option to fish with two poles. So you DON'T need a Reservation license to fish there at the camp ground ONLY next to the pens? Can you provide little more info or link please. Thanks!

Fishing Regs for Rufus Woods

• License Requirement - In waters of Rufus Woods Lake or within the Colville Tribal "Designated" Fishing Areas, either a tribal permit or state license shall be acceptable. A state license is still required when fishing
from the Douglas County shoreline.
• Kokanee - are now included as part of daily (2) TROUT limit.
• All Species - Chumming is not permitted
Effective Date: May 1, 2009 until further notice.
Species affected: All species.
Location: Rufus Woods Lake (Douglas/Okanogan County)
Reason for action: Standardize regulations on boundary waters (Lake Rufus Woods) for cooperative enforcement per agreement with the Colville Tribe.
IMPORTANT ANGLER NOTES: When fishing with bait or scent, all TROUT are counted as part of the daily limit, whether kept or released. (See statewide rules for TROUT, Page 31 of pamphlet). Anglers are encouraged to use artificial lures or flies with single barbless hooks if intending to release fish and to release uninjured fish only. Fish hooked in the gills or tongue will generally die after release.The aforementioned “Colville Tribal Designated Colville Areas" will be determined in the near future. Please call the WDFW Region 2 office for updates, (509) 754-4624.
Information contacts: Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624.

They don't seem to have the agreement posted WDF&G site anymore. They must be emarrassed about the amount money We give the tribe. Enough about that.
My buddy fishes there at least once a month and chats with the Tribal officers while fishing. I know he only has a state license and as far as I know he's only been asked to show it once (not to many Tribal Officers.).

Anyway better to be safe than sorry, follow the directions given in the regs. You do have a copy don't you? Here's a clip from the regs. Jump on the phone.

RUFUS WOODS LAKE (Douglas/Okanogan Co.)
CLOSED WATERS - from Grand Coulee Dam downstream to SR155 Bridge.
Please call the Region 2 office (509) 754-4624 for license requirements and rules for TROUT (including
KOKANEE) and chumming on Rufus Woods Lake.
Other Game Fish Year-round Statewide min. size/daily limit.
STURGEON CLOSED

THX D!!!

So its true! Thanks for your help guys. I haven't fished there since last summer, so have not read the regs for it. Any idea on the amount that was spent?

All I found was this link; http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure ... 44314.html

I'm pretty sure is was just shy five mill.

The State recently started to sell a license which allows an individual to fish with two poles.
Does the two pole license allow using two poles when fishing Rufus Woods?

ndn wrote:The State recently started to sell a license which allows an individual to fish with two poles.
Does the two pole license allow using two poles when fishing Rufus Woods?

The colvile reservation has offered a 2nd pole permit for at least a few years now. I have only been fishing Rufus for 2 years now, but the 2nd pole permit has always been an option.

gpc wrote:The Colville reservation has offered a 2nd pole permit for at least a few years now. I have only been fishing Rufus for 2 years now, but the 2nd pole permit has always been an option.

Only if you're fishing on tribal land with a tribal permit. If you fish Rufus Woods anywhere other than tribal land you’ll need to purchase a Washington State fishing license and the two rod endorsement.
Read Below:

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

August 10, 2009

Contact: Jim Uehara, (360) 902-2738

Two-pole fishing option starts Aug. 15 on most state lakes

OLYMPIA - Recreational anglers will soon have the option of using two poles while fishing in most Washington lakes under a new law passed by the state Legislature.

Effective Aug. 15, the two-pole endorsement option will apply to the majority of the 8,000 fishing lakes, ponds and reservoirs in Washington state. Endorsements will be available Aug. 13 from authorized license dealers, listed at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm , or from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/.

Anglers wishing to take advantage of the new opportunity will be required to pay a $20 fee ($5 for resident seniors) for the endorsement, which is in addition to the recreational fishing license issued by WDFW. A surcharge and transaction fee will also apply.

Revenue generated from the new fees will go toward hatchery fish production.

Because approximately 145 lakes and ponds will be excluded from the two-pole endorsement program, anglers should check the regulations carefully before they go fishing, said Phil Anderson, WDFW interim director. The list of excluded lakes and ponds is available online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/twopole/. Saltwater fisheries and fisheries on rivers and streams will also be excluded.

"Our department priority is to protect and conserve Washington’s fish populations, while providing fishing opportunities for anglers," Anderson said. "The new legislation will help us achieve both by improving prospects for catching hatchery trout and warm-water fish in the state’s lakes, while excluding areas where populations are more vulnerable," Anderson said.

Excluded waters are those with conservation issues, such as waters containing threatened or endangered species, or lakes designated for specific management objectives, such as juvenile-only fishing lakes.

Anderson said the department will also evaluate additional areas and situations where two-pole fishing may be allowed in the future. He encouraged the public to provide comments on the new law during WDFW’s 2010-11 sportfishing rule-making process in early September.

When the new endorsement option goes into effect Aug. 15, all fishing regulations, such as size, species and daily limits, will still apply.

"Having a second pole may help anglers catch their daily limit of fish faster, but the limit and other regulations will remain the same," Anderson said.

For more information, visit WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/ or call WDFW’s licensing department at (360) 902-2464.