Section 220-56-118. Fish handling rules—Removal from water.

In order to protect fish that are required to be released:

(1) It is unlawful to totally or partially remove oversize sturgeon from the water.

(2) It is unlawful to totally or partially remove six-gill shark from the water.

(3) In all freshwater areas, except the Columbia River downstream from a line between Rocky Point and Tongue Point, it is unlawful to totally remove salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden or bull trout from the water if it is unlawful to retain those salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden or bull trout or if the angler subsequently releases the salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden or bull trout.

(4) In Marine Areas 5 through 13, it is unlawful to bring wild salmon or a species of salmon aboard a vessel if it is unlawful to retain that salmon. For purposes of this subsection, "aboard" means inside the gunnel of a vessel.

(5) In Marine Area 2-2 east of the Buoy 13 line, salmon required to be released may not be totally removed from the water, except anglers fishing from vessels thirty feet or longer as shown on their state registration or Coast Guard documentation are exempt from this subsection.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-05-085 (Order 06-23), § 220-56-118, filed 2/14/06, effective 5/1/06; WSR 05-17-007 (Order 05-168), § 220-56-118, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; WSR 05-05-035 (Order 05-15), § 220-56-118, filed 2/10/05, effective 5/1/05; WSR 04-07-009 (Order 04-39), § 220-56-118, filed 3/4/04, effective 5/1/04.]

RCW 77.12.047. WSR 06-05-085 (Order 06-23), § 220-56-118, filed 2/14/06, effective 5/1/06; WSR 05-17-007 (Order 05-168), § 220-56-118, filed 8/3/05, effective 9/3/05; WSR 05-05-035 (Order 05-15), § 220-56-118, filed 2/10/05, effective 5/1/05; WSR 04-07-009 (Order 04-39), § 220-56-118, filed 3/4/04, effective 5/1/04.