September 24, 2008
Action: The Snake River will open for fall Chinook fishing.
Locations: From the Railroad Bridge crossing the Snake River about a half mile downstream of the mouth of the Tucannon River upstream to the no fishing zone below Little Goose Dam, plus from the safety zone boundary above the dam up to the boat launch approximately 1 mile upstream of Little Goose Dam (along the south shore).
Dates: Sept. 25 through Oct.15, 2008
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Reason for action: There are sufficient numbers of upriver bright fall Chinook, and wild Snake River fall Chinook, to expand the Mainstem Columbia and Snake River fall Chinook fisheries, and allowable ESA impacts. Therefore, a limited fall Chinook fishery for marked hatchery Chinook is available within allowable limits for potential impacts upon wild fish, to open this Snake River fishery. This is the first fall Chinook fishery for adult salmon retention in decades in the Snake River and it will be used as a test fishery for planning for potential future fall chinook fisheries.
Other Information: Fishing open seven days per week. Night closure is in effect within the identified boundaries of this limited fishery. The salmon daily limit will be 1 marked hatchery (adipose clipped) adult fall Chinook (24 inches or greater), plus two marked hatchery (adipose clipped) jacks under 24 inches, with a minimum size of 10 inches. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon once an adult hatchery salmon has been retained. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook or steelhead with unclipped adipose fins must be immediately released unharmed. In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for chinook or steelhead in the Snake River. Anglers cannot remove any Chinook or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit. Anglers should be sure to identify their catch because unmarked returning Chinook salmon, coho salmon and unmarked steelhead are in the Snake River during this fishery. Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2008 / 2009 fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc. Angler catch rates will be monitored closely and Snake River salmon fisheries may be closed prior to October 15 based upon on-going harvest quota evaluations.
Locations: From the Railroad Bridge crossing the Snake River about a half mile downstream of the mouth of the Tucannon River upstream to the no fishing zone below Little Goose Dam, plus from the safety zone boundary above the dam up to the boat launch approximately 1 mile upstream of Little Goose Dam (along the south shore).
Dates: Sept. 25 through Oct.15, 2008
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Reason for action: There are sufficient numbers of upriver bright fall Chinook, and wild Snake River fall Chinook, to expand the Mainstem Columbia and Snake River fall Chinook fisheries, and allowable ESA impacts. Therefore, a limited fall Chinook fishery for marked hatchery Chinook is available within allowable limits for potential impacts upon wild fish, to open this Snake River fishery. This is the first fall Chinook fishery for adult salmon retention in decades in the Snake River and it will be used as a test fishery for planning for potential future fall chinook fisheries.
Other Information: Fishing open seven days per week. Night closure is in effect within the identified boundaries of this limited fishery. The salmon daily limit will be 1 marked hatchery (adipose clipped) adult fall Chinook (24 inches or greater), plus two marked hatchery (adipose clipped) jacks under 24 inches, with a minimum size of 10 inches. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon once an adult hatchery salmon has been retained. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook or steelhead with unclipped adipose fins must be immediately released unharmed. In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for chinook or steelhead in the Snake River. Anglers cannot remove any Chinook or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit. Anglers should be sure to identify their catch because unmarked returning Chinook salmon, coho salmon and unmarked steelhead are in the Snake River during this fishery. Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2008 / 2009 fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc. Angler catch rates will be monitored closely and Snake River salmon fisheries may be closed prior to October 15 based upon on-going harvest quota evaluations.