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AL THOMAS: It won’t be cheap to fish in Multnomah Channel in 2010

The Columbian
Published: December 17, 2009, 12:00am

Washington anglers fishing for spring chinook salmon in the Multnomah Channel of the Willamette River will need Oregon’s new Aquatic Invasives Species Permit at a cost of $22.

So, add the new $22 fee for non-residents to the $106.26 non-resident fishing license fee and $26.50 angling harvest tag and you get a total of $154.75 for Washington anglers who boat into Oregon.

Or, as Troutdale, Ore., guide Jack Glass said recently on his radio show: Oregon’s not particularly putting out the welcome sign to Washington anglers.

Randy Henry of the Oregon State Marine Board said Washington boaters will not need the Oregon permit in the concurrent waters of the Columbia River, but once they cross in waters managed solely by Oregon, the fee will apply.

Washington boaters pay a $2 aquatic invasives species prevent fee and a $1 freshwater aquatic algae control fee when they renew their registration annually.

Henry said Oregon lawmakers told the Marine Board to follow Idaho’s lead, which started in April the Idaho Invasives Species Fund program and charges non-resident boaters $20.

“Our Legislature specifically added the non-resident requirement,’’ Henry said.

Ashley Massey of the Oregon State Marine Board said initially the state will focus on education about the permit.

“We’re gearing up law enforcement now,’’ Massey said. “It’ll be about education at first; giving warnings, not citations.’’

Some Clark County anglers launch boats at Ridgefield Marina or at ramps on the lower Lewis River and make the short trip to Multnomah Channel at St. Helens, Ore.

Multnomah Channel is the portion of the Willamette River that flows on the west side of Sauvie Island.

It is possible the Willamette River will be open for spring chinook fishing at times in 2010 when the lower Columbia River is closed.

Oregon lawmakers in 2009 passed House Bill 2220.

It requires boaters in Oregon to pay an automatic $5 surcharge as part of their annual registration.

Non-Oregon residents need to buy an annual permit for $22 through Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife license vendors or the agency’s Web site.

Operators of non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, sailboats and drift boats need to buy and carry a $7 permit. The permits for non-motorized craft are transferable to other non-motorized vessels.

The money will be used to implement a new program involving voluntary boat inspections, decontamination of infected boats and education to stop the spread of unwanted species.

Species such as quagga and zebra mussels are spreading west, depleting native fish and waterfowl populations and costing millions in maintenance of water and power facilities.

Craig Lynch of Ridgefield is one of those Clark County anglers who some years fish for spring salmon in Multnomah Channel.

“It looks like Washington boaters will pay an extra $22 while Oregon boaters will pay zero (to enter Washington),’’ Lynch said.

Allen Thomas covers hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and other outdoor recreation topics for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4555 or al.thomas@columbian.com.

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