For the week, an estimated 774 chinook (723 adults and 51 jacks) were harvested in the Hanford Reach . A total of 227 boats were sampled, (37% of the total). Effort was down from the previous week and catch rates improved a bit. Anglers averaged 1 fish for every 11.3 pole hours.

In 2005, 907 chinook were retained during the same week. The Columbia River from the wooden powerline towers (old Hanford townsite) upstream to Priest Rapids Dam closed to fishing for salmon on Oct 22. The river downstream of the powerlines will remain open for fall chinook through December 31.

Fall chinook counts through McNary Dam are roughly 1/3 lower than 2005 (2006: 100,789, 2005: 145,465). The total estimated harvest in the Reach for 2006 is 4,350 chinook.

2006 Hanford Reach Fall Chinook Fishery
Day
Date
Estimated
Total boats
Number of boats sampled
Sample
Rate
Observed harvest
Total harvest
Observed Catch
Total Catch
Adults
Jacks
Adults
Jacks
Hatchery
Wild
Unknown
Hatchery
Wild
Unknown
Mon 10/16
76
11
12
1
Tue 10/17
51
18
33
0
Wed 10/18
65
31
39
1
Thu 10/19
74
16
33
3
Fri 10/20
96
42
49
10
Sat 10/21
124
50
51
1
Sun 10/22
123
59
52
3
 Weekly Totals
610
227
37.23%
269
19
723
51
0
0
0
0
0
0
Season Totals
6,333
1,714
27.1%
1123
112
3,946
403
5
14
8
24
59
45