June 6, 2016
fishing
Action: Open the middle section of the Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: From the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNSF railroad bridge approximately 600 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8)
Dates: June 9 through June 30, 2016
Reason for action: Yakama Nation (YN) and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a total return of 4,610 adult spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2016 (3,100 wild and 1,510 hatchery fish), representing 55% of the recent 10-year (2006-2015) average adult return of 8,320 spring chinook. Consequently, the daily limit has been reduced from two to one hatchery fish and the season length has been shortened.
Other information:
Daily limit of one hatchery chinook. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild chinook (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
For the duration of this salmon fishery, the upper "closed water" boundary line is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam to provide additional opportunity to harvest hatchery chinook.
During the salmon fishery, the "Selective Gear Rules" prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended, but only in the river section open to salmon fishing.
Terminal gear is restricted to two, single-point, barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.
Night closure in effect.
Fishing for steelhead remains closed. All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20" in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
A Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery except for "Free Fishing Weekend", June 11-12 (recording salmon catch on a free Catch Record Card is required on Free Fishing Weekend).
The use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery provided the participating angler has purchased a "Two-Pole Endorsement" (in addition to the freshwater fishing license and Columbia River salmon/steelhead endorsement).
Fishing from boats equipped with an internal combustion motor (ICM) is allowed only from the I-82 bridge at Union Gap to the east-bound (upstream) I-82 bridge at Selah Gap. Boats with an ICM may be used for transportation only upstream of the Selah Gap bridge.
Closed to fishing for all species 400 feet upstream from the upstream side of the Yakima Ave. /Terrace Heights Rd. bridge in Yakima, including the area adjacent and downstream of the Roza Wasteway No. 2 fish barrier rack next to Morton & Sons Inc.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Action: Open the middle section of the Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: From the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap (river mile 107.1) to the BNSF railroad bridge approximately 600 feet downstream of Roza Dam (river mile 127.8)
Dates: June 9 through June 30, 2016
Reason for action: Yakama Nation (YN) and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a total return of 4,610 adult spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2016 (3,100 wild and 1,510 hatchery fish), representing 55% of the recent 10-year (2006-2015) average adult return of 8,320 spring chinook. Consequently, the daily limit has been reduced from two to one hatchery fish and the season length has been shortened.
Other information:
Daily limit of one hatchery chinook. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild chinook (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
For the duration of this salmon fishery, the upper "closed water" boundary line is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam to provide additional opportunity to harvest hatchery chinook.
During the salmon fishery, the "Selective Gear Rules" prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended, but only in the river section open to salmon fishing.
Terminal gear is restricted to two, single-point, barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.
Night closure in effect.
Fishing for steelhead remains closed. All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20" in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
A Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery except for "Free Fishing Weekend", June 11-12 (recording salmon catch on a free Catch Record Card is required on Free Fishing Weekend).
The use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery provided the participating angler has purchased a "Two-Pole Endorsement" (in addition to the freshwater fishing license and Columbia River salmon/steelhead endorsement).
Fishing from boats equipped with an internal combustion motor (ICM) is allowed only from the I-82 bridge at Union Gap to the east-bound (upstream) I-82 bridge at Selah Gap. Boats with an ICM may be used for transportation only upstream of the Selah Gap bridge.
Closed to fishing for all species 400 feet upstream from the upstream side of the Yakima Ave. /Terrace Heights Rd. bridge in Yakima, including the area adjacent and downstream of the Roza Wasteway No. 2 fish barrier rack next to Morton & Sons Inc.
Information contacts: Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).