April 22, 2003
Action: A portion of the Snake River will open for spring chinook fishing.
Effective date: April 26, 2003 through May 31, 2003
Hours: Seven (7) days per week. Fishing hours per day are 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset.
Species affected: Hatchery spring chinook
Location: From Texas Rapids boat launch upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat launch approximately one mile upstream of Little Goose Dam on the south bank of the river.
Reason for action: Based on a predicted return of spring chinook to the Snake River, there are sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin fish, within allowable limits for potential impacts to wild fish, to open this selective chinook fishery in the Snake River.
Other Information: The daily limit is one (1) hatchery chinook only. Only hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) spring chinook may be retained. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All chinook with adipose fin intact, and all steelhead, must be immediately released unharmed. Chinook jacks are also included in the one fish daily limit. Minimum size is 12 inches. In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for chinook on the Snake River. For this fishery it shall be unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8 inch (point of hook to shank). Anglers are reminded to check the WDFW "Fishing In Washington" rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc. Angler catch rates will be monitored closely and the Snake River fishery may be closed prior to May 31 if the allowable ESA impacts to wild chinook are expected to be met.
Information contact: John Whalen, regional Fish Program manager, (509) 456-4085, or Glen Mendel, District 3 fish biologist (Dayton), (509) 382-1005
Effective date: April 26, 2003 through May 31, 2003
Hours: Seven (7) days per week. Fishing hours per day are 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset.
Species affected: Hatchery spring chinook
Location: From Texas Rapids boat launch upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat launch approximately one mile upstream of Little Goose Dam on the south bank of the river.
Reason for action: Based on a predicted return of spring chinook to the Snake River, there are sufficient numbers of hatchery-origin fish, within allowable limits for potential impacts to wild fish, to open this selective chinook fishery in the Snake River.
Other Information: The daily limit is one (1) hatchery chinook only. Only hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) spring chinook may be retained. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All chinook with adipose fin intact, and all steelhead, must be immediately released unharmed. Chinook jacks are also included in the one fish daily limit. Minimum size is 12 inches. In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for chinook on the Snake River. For this fishery it shall be unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8 inch (point of hook to shank). Anglers are reminded to check the WDFW "Fishing In Washington" rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc. Angler catch rates will be monitored closely and the Snake River fishery may be closed prior to May 31 if the allowable ESA impacts to wild chinook are expected to be met.
Information contact: John Whalen, regional Fish Program manager, (509) 456-4085, or Glen Mendel, District 3 fish biologist (Dayton), (509) 382-1005