Lake Roosevelt Setline Survey: Sharing Waters with Research Teams

A WDFW employee holds a net with several juvenile white sturgeon at Lake Roosevelt.Photo byWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Anglers fishing at Roosevelt Lake should be prepapred to share the waters with research teams conducting a fish survey this month, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians will be holding a setline survey for juvenile white sturgeon on Sep. 30, the WDFW reports. To survey will involve set 600-foot setlines overnight on weekdays, according to the department.

“This survey will give fishery co-managers important information about growth and survival of young fish in the population,” said Chris Donley, Eastern Region fish program manager. “We ask anglers to avoid setline buoys to prevent disturbance of sampling gear.”

The survey, according to the WDFW, will begin in the Rickey Point area and work progressively upstream to the Little Dalles.

Week of Sept. 30, 2024:

• Mon.-Tue.: Rickey Point to Colville River.
• Tue.-Wed.: Colville River to Highway 395 bridge.
• Wed.-Fri.: Singers Bay to Pingston Creek/Nancy Creek.

Week of Oct. 7, 2024:

• Mon.-Tue.: Pingston Creek/Nancy Creek to Marcus Island.
• Tue.-Wed.: Marcus Island to Evans.
• Wed.-Thu.: Evans to North Gorge.
• Thu.-Fri.: North Gorge to Little Dalles.

The annual survey is intended to help the department study local juvenile sturgeon four-years-old and younger, the WDFW reports. It should have minimal impact on local fishing opportunities, according to the department.