Columbia River spring chinook seasons set upstream of I-5

March 14, 2005

March 14, 2005

Columbia River spring chinook
seasons set upstream of I-5

I-5 to Rooster Rock and Bonneville, Dalles & John Day Pools

Actions:

Area 1. The mainstem Columbia River from I-5 to Rooster Rock (approximately 10 miles upstream of Camas) - open 7 days per week beginning March 16.

Area 2. The mainstem Columbia River from the Tower Island power lines in Bonneville Pool upstream to McNary Dam (see Closed Waters in Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet) open 7 days per week beginning March 16.

Area 3. The mainstem Columbia River from the Buoy 10 line upstream to I-5 continues open 7 days per week.

Daily limit for Areas 1-3 (listed above): The daily limit for salmon is 6 fish of which only 2 may be adults and only adipose fin-clipped (with a healed scar) chinook may be retained. The daily limit for trout is 2 fish and all wild steelhead must be released. Wild cutthroat must also be released in areas below Bonneville Dam (Areas 1 & 3 above). Minimum size 12 inches in length for both salmon and trout.

Rooster Rock to Bonneville Dam

Action: Area 4. The mainstem Columbia River from Rooster Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam (see Closed Waters listed in Sportfishing Rules Pamphlet) - open Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only beginning Sunday, March 20.

Daily limit for Area 4 (listed above): Special daily limit of only 1 adult hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead. A total of 6 salmon may be kept of which no more than one may be an adult and only adipose fin-clipped (with a healed scar) chinook may be retained. The daily limit for trout is 2 fish but only one may be a steelhead and all wild steelhead and wild cutthroat must be released. Minimum size 12 inches in length for both salmon and trout.

Effective dates: March 16 through May 15 or until guidelines are achieved, whichever comes first.
Reason for action: The states of Washington and Oregon have developed a fishing plan for the Columbia River spring chinook season with the hope of extending the season for as long as possible, while remaining within the ESA guidelines for wild fish. Seasons have been structured to have minimal impact on the wild fish while providing opportunity for harvest of the abundant hatchery stocks. Fishing will be modified or halted once the guideline is projected to be reached.

Other information for Areas 1-4 (listed above): Effective March 16 through May 15, 2005, in those waters of the Columbia River from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream, that are open under the above seasons, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length to totally remove salmon or steelhead from the water if it is unlawful to retain those salmon and steelhead. Shad may also be retained. There is no daily limit for shad.

Information contact: Cindy LeFleur, (360) 906-6708

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.