June 13, 2017
June 13, 2017
Middle Yakima River to open for hatchery spring chinook fishing
Action: Opens 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 16, 2017, until further notice.
Reason for action: Yakama Nation and WDFW fishery managers are still forecasting a harvestable return of 2,000 or more adult Cle Elum hatchery spring chinook to the Yakima River even though the run is extremely late this year.
Other information:
Daily limit of two (2) hatchery chinook. Minimum size: 12 inches. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild salmon (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
Terminal Gear: Up to two (2), single-point, barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less. Use of bait is allowed.
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.
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.
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.
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 is allowed only from the I-82 bridge at Union Gap to the east-bound I-82 bridge (upstream) at Selah Gap. Boats with an internal combustion motor 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: John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima) or Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima).
Middle Yakima River to open for hatchery spring chinook fishing
Action: Opens 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 16, 2017, until further notice.
Reason for action: Yakama Nation and WDFW fishery managers are still forecasting a harvestable return of 2,000 or more adult Cle Elum hatchery spring chinook to the Yakima River even though the run is extremely late this year.
Other information:
Daily limit of two (2) hatchery chinook. Minimum size: 12 inches. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild salmon (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
Terminal Gear: Up to two (2), single-point, barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less. Use of bait is allowed.
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.
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.
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.
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 is allowed only from the I-82 bridge at Union Gap to the east-bound I-82 bridge (upstream) at Selah Gap. Boats with an internal combustion motor 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: John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima) or Eric Anderson, District 8 Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9301 (Yakima).