October 9, 2024
Action: Opens retention of hatchery steelhead and coho.
Species affected: Hatchery steelhead and coho.
Effective dates: One hour before official sunrise on Oct. 16, 2024, until further notice.
Location: From the Beebe Bridge (Highway 97) to the Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster.
Rules:
- Daily limit two hatchery steelhead or two coho, or one of each. Release all other salmon and wild steelhead.
- Mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead.
- Steelhead minimum size is 20 inches and coho minimum size is 12 inches.
- Selective gear rules in effect, except bait allowed.
- Night closure in effect.
- Steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately, unharmed, and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
Reason for action: Hatchery steelhead returning to select areas of the Upper Columbia River are in excess of spawning escapement and broodstock needs. This conservation fishery will help remove excess hatchery steelhead while increasing the proportion of wild steelhead on the spawning grounds. Returns of coho to the Upper Columbia River are sufficient to allow recreational angler harvest in-kind with steelhead retention.
Additional information: This conservation fishery will be monitored closely and could potentially close at any time if allowable impact rates to wild steelhead are met. Anglers are advised to check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website routinely for updates. Anglers can also subscribe to the Fishing Rule Changes email list to receive updates.
Learn more about this conservation fishery at the new WDFW blog: Steelhead fishing returns to Upper Columbia after nearly a decade.
Information contact: Region 2, 509-754-4624 or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov.