Chinook retention reopens on Columbia River; bag limit increased for hatchery coho

September 27, 2007

September 27, 2007

Chinook retention reopens on Columbia River;
bag limit increased for hatchery coho

Action: Retention of chinook salmon will be allowed on the Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hood River Bridge. Below Bonneville Dam the daily bag limit will include up to four adult adipose fin-clipped coho.

Effective date: Sept. 29 through Dec. 31

Species affected: Chinook salmon, adipose fin-clipped coho

Location: Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hood River Bridge, except Camas Slough will remain closed for chinook retention until further notice).

Reason for action: The upriver bright fall chinook run size has been upgraded to 118,500 fish. This upgrade in run size allows for chinook retention throughout the Columbia River downstream of the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco. Lower River fall chinook have generally moved out of the mainstem Columbia River at this time and will not be vulnerable to mainstem fisheries. The tributaries below Bonneville Dam including Camas Slough remain closed for chinook retention. The increased coho bag limit will allow additional harvest of hatchery coho and help reduce surplus to lower Columbia River hatcheries.

Other Information: The area from the Hood River Bridge upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco was reopened for chinook retention on Sept. 22. The daily limit below Bonneville Dam is six salmon of which no more than four can be adults and only one can be an adult chinook. The daily limit above Bonneville Dam is six salmon of which no more than two can be adults. All sockeye and wild steelhead must be released. Release wild coho downstream from the Hood River Bridge. Release chum from McNary Dam downstream.

Information contact: WDFW Region 5 office in Vancouver, (360) 696-6211

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.