May 4, 2020
Action: Open a spring Chinook salmon fishing on the Snake River as described below.
Location A: Open Tuesdays and Fridays beginning May 5, 2020 until further notice.
Location B: Open Wednesday and Saturday beginning May 6, 2020 until further notice.
Daily Limit 4 hatchery (adipose clipped) Chinook of which only one may be an adult. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained.
Effective date: May 5, 2020 until further notice
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location:
A) Below Little Goose Dam: Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as “the Wall” in front of the juvenile collection facility);
B) Clarkston: Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream about 3.5 miles to the Washington state line (from the east levee of the Greenbelt boat launch in Clarkston northwest across the Snake River to the WA/ID boundary waters marker on the Whitman County shore).
Reason for action: The 2020 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver spring Chinook salmon is sufficiently abundant to allow for harvest opportunity on the Snake River based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3620. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act coverage for this fishery.
Additional information: The minimum size of any retained Chinook salmon is 12 inches. Jacks are less than 24 inches long. The adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that can be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, and all bull trout and steelhead must be immediately released unharmed.
Anglers fishing for Chinook salmon must use barbless hooks. A night closure is in effect while fishing for salmon. Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit.
WDFW will monitor this fishery and the returns of spring Chinook throughout the season and may close the fishery at any time due to harvest levels, ESA impacts, in-season run adjustments, or a combination of these things. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for spring Chinook in the Snake River.
Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2019/2020 Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including safety closures, CLOSED WATERS, etc.
WDFW reminds anglers to follow the Responsible Outdoor Recreation Guidelines, and to review the Frequently Asked Questions on Reopening State Lands, Fishing and Hunting.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist (509) 382-1005
Location A: Open Tuesdays and Fridays beginning May 5, 2020 until further notice.
Location B: Open Wednesday and Saturday beginning May 6, 2020 until further notice.
Daily Limit 4 hatchery (adipose clipped) Chinook of which only one may be an adult. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained.
Effective date: May 5, 2020 until further notice
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location:
A) Below Little Goose Dam: Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as “the Wall” in front of the juvenile collection facility);
B) Clarkston: Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream about 3.5 miles to the Washington state line (from the east levee of the Greenbelt boat launch in Clarkston northwest across the Snake River to the WA/ID boundary waters marker on the Whitman County shore).
Reason for action: The 2020 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver spring Chinook salmon is sufficiently abundant to allow for harvest opportunity on the Snake River based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3620. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act coverage for this fishery.
Additional information: The minimum size of any retained Chinook salmon is 12 inches. Jacks are less than 24 inches long. The adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that can be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, and all bull trout and steelhead must be immediately released unharmed.
Anglers fishing for Chinook salmon must use barbless hooks. A night closure is in effect while fishing for salmon. Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit.
WDFW will monitor this fishery and the returns of spring Chinook throughout the season and may close the fishery at any time due to harvest levels, ESA impacts, in-season run adjustments, or a combination of these things. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for spring Chinook in the Snake River.
Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2019/2020 Fishing in Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including safety closures, CLOSED WATERS, etc.
WDFW reminds anglers to follow the Responsible Outdoor Recreation Guidelines, and to review the Frequently Asked Questions on Reopening State Lands, Fishing and Hunting.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist (509) 382-1005