June 3, 2016
Actions: Closes sockeye salmon to retention
Effective date: June 16 through Aug. 15, 2016
Species affected: Sockeye salmon
Area 1: Columbia River from Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge at Richland near Columbia Point (CRC 534)
Daily Limit: Daily limit of three (3) salmon, of which no more than one (1) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
Area 2: Columbia River from the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam (CRC 535 and 536)
Daily Limit: Daily limit of four (4) salmon, of which no more than two (2) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
Other information: Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and must have a current Washington fishing license, as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE). Anglers may fish with two poles with the Two-Pole Endorsement, except for sturgeon.
Reason for action: The pre-season forecast for upper Columbia River sockeye salmon is only for about 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth. This run abundance is insufficient to support sockeye harvest in the upper Columbia River and meet spawning escapement goals in the Wenatchee and Okanogan basins. Achieving a successful sockeye spawn in 2016 is extremely important following the massive mortality and poor spawning escapement of upper Columbia sockeye caused by the drought and high water temperatures in 2015.
These changes were proposed and discussed during the North of Falcon salmon season rule-setting public process and will be adopted by permanent rule later this summer and be published in the 2016-17 sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330.
Effective date: June 16 through Aug. 15, 2016
Species affected: Sockeye salmon
Area 1: Columbia River from Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge at Richland near Columbia Point (CRC 534)
Daily Limit: Daily limit of three (3) salmon, of which no more than one (1) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
Area 2: Columbia River from the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam (CRC 535 and 536)
Daily Limit: Daily limit of four (4) salmon, of which no more than two (2) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
Other information: Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and must have a current Washington fishing license, as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE). Anglers may fish with two poles with the Two-Pole Endorsement, except for sturgeon.
Reason for action: The pre-season forecast for upper Columbia River sockeye salmon is only for about 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth. This run abundance is insufficient to support sockeye harvest in the upper Columbia River and meet spawning escapement goals in the Wenatchee and Okanogan basins. Achieving a successful sockeye spawn in 2016 is extremely important following the massive mortality and poor spawning escapement of upper Columbia sockeye caused by the drought and high water temperatures in 2015.
These changes were proposed and discussed during the North of Falcon salmon season rule-setting public process and will be adopted by permanent rule later this summer and be published in the 2016-17 sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330.