Columbia River - below Bonneville Dam spring chinook sport fishery re-opens

May 22, 2013

May 22, 2013

Columbia River – below Bonneville Dam
spring chinook sport fishery re-opens

Action: Re-opens the season for chinook and steelhead angling on the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam.

Species affected: Spring chinook and steelhead.

Area: The mainstem Columbia River from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam.

Restrictions: BANK ANGLING ONLY FROM BEACON ROCK UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM. Closed to fishing for salmonids from boats between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam. The Beacon Rock boundary is defined as a line projected from the deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse 1) through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock.

Effective date: Saturday May 25 through Saturday June 15, 2013.

Daily bag limit: Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than two may be adult chinook or steelhead, and no more than one may be an adult chinook. Release all sockeye, wild chinook and wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.

Additional rules: Effective immediately through June 15, 2013: For the mainstem Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Oregon/Washington border, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.

Effective immediately through June 15, 2013: Deep River (Wahkiakum Co.): the hatchery adult chinook daily limit will be the same as the adjacent mainstem Columbia River during those days when the mainstem Columbia River is open for adult chinook retention. When the adjacent mainstem Columbia River is closed for adult chinook retention, the salmon daily limit will revert to permanent rules for Deep River.

Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of hatchery salmon remain available based on the forecasts, associated management agreements, and harvest estimates to date.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

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.