So let's suppose that I want to fish for Steelhead specifically, but I am absolutely positively going to realease every fish I catch, no matter what. Do I still need to buy the Hatchery Harvest Tag??

You would still need a Salmon/Steelhead tag to be legal at targeting steelhead; even if you release them, they have to recorded.

The Hatchery Harvest Tag in an additional tag that you need if you wish to harvest more than the original tag's limit.

Check the regs for further details

Good question.

I want to rebel against the system and would like to know what the fine is for catch & release fishing without a license.

Isn't that called POACHING??

While you're correct that a harvest tag is required if you target salmon/steelhead, I can find no rule that requires recording fish that are released. Can you provide your source for that?

Here's a good one I asked the folks at ODF&W and they didn't have a very good answer.

The ODF&W dump adult hatchery fish in coastal lakes. These lakes are located near steelhead rivers. I asked the folks at the local ODF&W office what I'm supposed to do if I catch a steelhead from a lake and am stopped by the OSP on the way home.
They notice the steelhead.

I didn't tag it because there is no location for a lake and technically, in a lake it is considered a trout. How do they know I didn't catch the steelhead from one of the steelhead rivers and failed to tag it?

The answer from the ODF&W? "I guess you hope the officer believes you."

What? Hope he believes me is the answer???

Obviously, there is a problem with the system when it comes to the adult steelhead the ODF&W dumps in the lakes. An angler who catches and keeps one doesn't even need a steelhead tag but how is an OSP officer supposed to know you didn't catch it from a nearby river instead of the lake?

The ODF&W needs to somehow mark the excess adult hatchery steelhead that they dump in the coastal lakes.

No. Below is the definition of Poaching. Basically, I have to either be tresspassing, taking (killing) and keeping fish or both.

Poach(ing):
1. To trespass on (another's property) for fishing or hunting.
2. To take (fish or game) illegally.

In other words, no harm, no foul.

Basically, I think the hatchery machine is bogus, and I don't want to support it. I have no interest in anything they produce, so I feel it's unfair that I should have to pay for it. Especially, since I already have an Angling License.

Um, no. That's not it at all.

Well then, enlighten me.

I know that the penalty for poaching, which involves killing your quarry, can be quite severe: big fine, confiscation of everything used to commit the act (tackle, boat, vehicle) and even the possibility of jail time.

If you're going to intentionally angle for steelhead, then you are steelhead fishing--no gray area here. This is true weather you catch something or not or keep it or not. If you choose to do this without a tag, then you are intentionally fishing without a license and there is a pentalty if you get caught.

What I don't know is what the penalty for fishing without a license might be.

If you don't want to support the hatchery machine you should realize it's funded by the general fund. Thus, your purchases of Gasoline to travel to said Hatchery Steelhead River and Keystone to enjoy your time there contibute more tax dollars the to hatchery machine than a tag purchase.

Sucks, doesn't it?

KillerDave,

if you do not buy a salmon/steelhead tag and you fish for those species, then you are poaching in my book regardless if it is catch and release. Everyone who pays taxes, pays for pelletheads whether they fish or not as it does come from funding out of the general fund. If you take one of those steelhead out of the lakes, ODFW always told me to simply put down the closest river that has a number. There are plenty of trib and small streams that hold anadromous fish that don't have numbers to mark down so you just put down the closest one or the mainstem one.

LiveWater, what if you don't have a tag and caught and kept one of the excess hatchery rainbow in the lake? You don't need a tag to fish for trout in a lake and the steelhead are considered trout when they dump them in.

The officer will have to take your word for it that you caught it in the lake so you don't need a tag.

The ODF&W plan won't work.

Gotta agree it makes no sense to treat any lake fish as a salmon or steelhead. Does that mean you would need a tag to fish for kokanee which are a landlocked salmon, or the Atlantics in Hosmer? How about the lake near me where they have planted chinook to predate on the tui chub?

It's just counterintuitive to consider lake fish anadromous. Of course what matters is what the man with ticket book in his hand tells you. Who the hell wants to fight it out in court?

As for C & R steelhead fishing without a tag, does that apply to trout too? I haven't killed a trout in years, so maybe I just won't buy a fishing license from now on!

I just think it's stupid that I have to buy two licenses just to fish the same piece of water. Especially, when I haven't killed a fish in years.

Besides, how do they determine what you are targeting?