Anglers must release wild adult Chinook in all areas of the Snake River open to salmon

October 3, 2019

Action: Closes retention of wild adult Chinook in areas open to salmon fishing.

Effective date: Oct. 5, 2019

Species affected: Fall Chinook salmon.

Locations and daily limits:

A) Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite dam: Closed, with the exception of Section B below.

B) Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery: From the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River upstream to the Highway 261 bridge (~1.4 miles):

Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) Chinook, no daily limit for any jack Chinook; release all other salmon.

C) Clarkston: Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp:

Open through Oct. 13. Daily limit 6 adult hatchery Chinook, no daily limit for any jack Chinook; release all other salmon.

D) Couse Creek Boat Ramp to the Oregon State Line:

Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult hatchery Chinook, no daily limit for any jack Chinook; release all other salmon.

Reason for action: Impacts to wild fall Chinook are approaching the preseason quota. Closing fisheries to unclipped Chinook retention allows continued fishing opportunity for adipose-clipped fall Chinook. The steelhead fishery in portions of the Snake River that remain open are also expected to remain within allowable incidental mortality impacts.

Additional information:

All steelhead must be immediately released unharmed in locations A-C (steelhead fishing is closed in these areas). In Section D, all unmarked steelhead must be released unharmed (steelhead fishery is open with daily limit of one hatchery fish).

Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after either the steelhead or adult salmon daily limit has been retained.

The Chinook fishery is open seven days per week. Adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin.

Barbless hooks are required when fishing for Chinook or steelhead in the Snake River.

Anglers may not remove any salmon or steelhead from the water if it is not or cannot be retained as part of the daily limit.

Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist 509-382-1005

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.