Staff from the Colville Tribal Fish Hatchery have released 50,000 triploid rainbow trout into Rufus Woods Lake between February and March, a press release from the Colville Tribes Fish & Wildlife Department stated. The fish average two pounds each, and some are fitted with tags.

Rufus Woods Lake is the length of the Columbia River from the Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam.

Anglers who catch the tagged fish are encouraged to contact Colville Tribal Fish & Wildlife at (509)-634-2113, to report information related to the catch to assist biologist in managing annual fish releases.

All non-tribal-members who are fishing by boat on the boundary waters of the reservation or from the shore of Rufus Woods at the Designated Fishing Area (DFA) must have either a valid Colville Indian Reservation Fishing Permit or a valid fishing license issued by the State of Washington. Non-members fishing from the reservation shoreline outside of the DFA must have a tribal permit.

At this time, there is only one DFA on Rufus Woods which is located downstream of the Pacific Aquaculture Fish Farm net pens. Colville tribal members must possess a Colville tribal identification card that serves as a permit to fish. Anglers who purchase tribal permits help support the continued success of this fishery.

Pictured below are Erica Moses, Fisheries Tech, at the Rufus Woods release, and the Rufus Woods Net Pens