Columbia river spring chinook season reopens below Bonneville Dam

May 16, 2006

May 16, 2006
Columbia River spring Chinook season reopens
below Bonneville Dam

Action: The mainstem Columbia River from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam opens May 17 until further notice.

Effective dates: May 17 until further notice.

Species affected: Chinook and steelhead

Location: The mainstem Columbia River from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam (see Closed Waters in the Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet).

Daily Limits: Salmon - 6 fish of which only 2 may be adults. Only adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) salmon may be retained. Release all chum and sockeye.
Trout - 2 fish. All wild steelhead and cutthroat must be released. The minimum size for both salmon and trout is 12 inches.

Other Information: The fishery will continue until the guideline on ESA-listed spring Chinook is achieved. It is unlawful to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released, except when fishing from vessels which are a minimum of 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration.

Reason for action: The upriver spring Chinook run size has been upgraded to 100,000 fish, compared to the preseason forecast of 88,400 fish, providing for additional opportunity for spring Chinook fishing in this area, under the current ESA guideline. The extended season is expected to allow for harvest of hatchery Chinook while minimizing impacts to ESA listed species.

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. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

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.