Enhancing steelhead populations with wild broodstock conservation programs.

SB 6241 requires Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement wild broodstock conservation programs in watersheds with native steelhead populations. It mandates using wild steelhead (collected by volunteers) for hatchery breeding to boost recovery, with specific rules to prevent genetic issues like inbreeding and ensure fish health. The law sets population targets, requires conservation-focused hatchery management plans, and establishes protocols for fish handling, spawning, and predator control. This directly affects steelhead trout recovery efforts across Washington’s watersheds and the state’s fish management practices.