May 14, 2025
Action: Opens spring Chinook salmon fishing for four days on the Snake River.
Effective dates by location:
- Below Little Goose Dam: Snake River, from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river, upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) upstream to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes both shores and the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility. It also includes the walkway area locally known as “the Wall” in front of the juvenile collection facility):
- Open Tuesday and Friday, May 20 and 23, 2025.
- Below Ice Harbor Dam: Snake River, from the southbound Highway 12 Bridge near Pasco upstream about 7 miles to the fishing restriction boundary below Ice Harbor Dam:
- Open Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and 22, 2025
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Rules:
- Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four hatchery (adipose-clipped) Chinook, including no more than one adult.
- Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
- Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained.
- Barbless hooks required.
- Night closure in effect.
Reason for action: The upriver spring Chinook salmon run has been upgraded, increasing the catch balance in the Snake River to 957 based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3630. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act coverage for this fishery.
Additional information: Based on current harvest rates, the new allocation will allow four more days of fishing (two at Ice Harbor and two at Little Goose).
Adult Chinook are 24 inches or longer. Adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that may be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, all bull trout, and steelhead must be immediately released unharmed.
Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily 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 any combination thereof. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for spring Chinook in the Snake River.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist, 509-382-1005