Steelhead populations

AN ACT Relating to enhancing steelhead populations with wild 1
broodstock conservation programs; adding a new section to chapter 2
77.105 RCW; and creating a new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that steelhead trout 5
are one of the anadromous fish populations in Washington state that 6
are struggling from weak returns, habitat reduction, and predator 7
pressure. The legislature further finds that salmon and steelhead 8
hatchery production and capacity are being reduced. The legislature 9
further finds that on the other side of the Columbia river, steelhead 10
fisheries in Oregon are stabilizing and ocean returns are increasing 11
in part due to wild broodstock conservation programs. Therefore, the 12
legislature finds that the department of fish and wildlife shall 13
pursue similar programs in Washington to stabilize steelhead 14
populations, implement the goals set forth in chapter 77.110 RCW, and 15
manage steelhead trout in a way to encourage and increase recovery of 16
the steelhead population.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 77.105 18
RCW to read as follows: 19
S-4018.1
SENATE BILL 6241
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Braun, Boehnke, Dozier, Hasegawa, Wagoner, and Wellman
Read first time 01/20/26. Referred to Committee on Agriculture &
Natural Resources.
p. 1 SB 6241
(1) In every WRIA as defined in RCW 90.82.020 with a native 1
steelhead population, the department must implement a steelhead wild 2
broodstock conservation program in which volunteers deliver live 3
broodstock to a hatchery or rearing facility. The department then 4
shall rear the wild fish for release at the appropriate time.5
(2) The wild broodstock conservation program shall derive 6
broodstock from the wild population in each WRIA. The program shall 7
identify effective population size targets and other strategies to 8
reduce risk of inbreeding depression, genetic drift, and 9
domestication for broodstocks. 10
(3) The department shall conduct rule making to develop hatchery 11
management plans that utilize wild broodstock to sustain wild 12
populations in each WRIA that contains a native population of 13
steelhead trout. The department shall implement rules to:14
(a) Establish fish health requirements; 15
(b) Require wild broodstock for the conservation program;16
(c) Establish effective population size targets;17
(d) Identify strategies to reduce risk of inbreeding depression, 18
genetic drift, and domestication; 19
(e) Establish methods to minimize stress and maximize survival of 20
fish to spawning; and 21
(f) Establish policies for disposition of kelts to encourage 22
iteroparity, spawning protocols, incubation protocols, rearing 23
protocols, release protocols, and predator control.24
(4) The wild broodstock conservation program must have clear 25
management objectives, including species conservation, watershed 26
health, and fisheries supply. 27
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p. 2 SB 6241