Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) is considering amendments to the current recreational fishing seasons and rules for Lake Roosevelt sturgeon.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The weak year-classes of wild-caught-larval (WCL) white sturgeon produced between 2011-2016 (year-classes of concern) that were reared and released as part of the conservation aquaculture program in Lake Roosevelt will begin entering the existing sturgeon harvest slot (53 to 63 inches fork length) in 2025. This group of sturgeon is present in low abundance but has high conservation value. At the same time, there is a need to maintain a harvest sturgeon fishery in Lake Roosevelt to remove over-represented year-classes of hatchery sturgeon produced from 2001-2010. WDFW must undertake multiple rule changes over the next several years for the Lake Roosevelt sturgeon fishery to maintain the harvest of target year-classes of sturgeon while managing the fishery to minimize harvest impacts to WCL year-classes of concern.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: WDFW is the sole authority regulating the Lake Roosevelt recreational sturgeon fishery. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians regulate tribal sturgeon fisheries in Lake Roosevelt.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting WDFW Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 4320, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 855-925-2801, project code 11114, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email lk_roosevelt_sturgeon_slot@publicinput.com, website https://publicinput.com/lk_roosevelt_sturgeon_slot.

Additional comments: Assistance for additional accessibility and persons with disabilities contact Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov.