June 29, 2023
Action: Closes adult summer Chinook retention in the Hanford Reach.
Species affected: Salmon
Locations, dates, and rules:
- From Columbia Point (1/3 mile downstream of I-182 Bridge at Richland) to I-182 Bridge at Richland:
Immediately through June 30, 2023: Salmon: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult salmon. Release all salmon other than jack Chinook, hatchery adult Chinook, and sockeye. Anglers can use two poles when fishing for salmon with the Two-Pole Endorsement. Night closure in effect for salmon.
Open only to bank fishing with hand-casted lines from shore on the west (Richland) side of the river when fishing for salmon. Closed to angling for salmon from a vessel and to salmon fishing from shore on the east (Pasco) side of the river.
July 1 through July 15, 2023: Salmon: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 sockeye. Release all salmon other than jack Chinook and sockeye. Anglers can use two poles when fishing for salmon with the Two-Pole Endorsement. Night closure in effect for salmon.
Open only to bank fishing with hand-casted lines from shore on the west (Richland) side of the river when fishing for salmon. Closed to angling for salmon from a vessel and to salmon fishing from shore on the east (Pasco) side of the river.
- From Interstate-182 Bridge at Richland upstream to 650 feet below Priest Rapids Dam:
Immediately through June 30, 2023: Salmon: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adult salmon. Release all salmon other than jack Chinook, hatchery adult Chinook, and sockeye. Anglers can use two poles when fishing for salmon with the Two-Pole Endorsement. Night closure in effect for salmon.
July 1 through August 15, 2023: Salmon: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 sockeye. Release all salmon other than jack Chinook and sockeye. Anglers can use two poles when fishing for salmon with the Two-Pole Endorsement. Night closure in effect for salmon.
Reason for action: The 2023 summer Chinook return is tracking less than the preseason forecast of 85,400 to the Columbia River mouth. The summer Chinook return is expected to be downgraded by the Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee. Given the reduced abundance, fisheries downstream of Priest Rapids Dam will have achieved the area-specific summer Chinook allocation.
Additional information: Barbless hooks are not required when fishing for salmon in this area of the Columbia River. All sockeye 12” or greater in length and Chinook 24” or greater in length are classified as adult.
With the exception of the “bank fishing only” area listed above, all waters from Hwy. 395 Bridge to I-182 Bridge are closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead during the summer salmon fishery.
Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211; Region 3: (509) 575-2740