Spring chinook sport seasons below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River

February 21, 2008

February 21, 2008

Spring chinook sport seasons below
Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River

Action: Close the Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the I-5 Bridge for salmon, steelhead, and shad angling effective February 25. Reopen the Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam beginning in March.

Dates/Location:

1. Buoy 10 upstream to Hayden Island west powerlines (located about 2.4 miles below the I-5 Bridge and 2.6 miles above the mouth of the Willamette River) from March 24 through April 4, 2008.

2. Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam from March 16 through April 30, 2008.

3. Beginning March 24 through April 30, the area from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam will be CLOSED TO ALL FISHING on Tuesdays (from one hour after official sunset on Mondays through one hour before official sunrise on Wednesdays).

Species affected: All species, including chinook, steelhead, shad, and other food and game fish.

Daily Limits: Salmon - 6 fish of which only one may be an adult. Only adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) salmon may be retained. Release all wild chinook, wild coho, sockeye and chum. Minimum size 12 inches. Trout 2 fish. All wild steelhead and wild cutthroat must be released. Minimum size 12 inches. Shad - No daily limit or minimum size limit for shad.

Other Information: Upstream from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line it is unlawful to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released, except when fishing from vessels which are a minimum of 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration. The fishery may close earlier if Endangered Species Act (ESA) impacts are reached earlier than anticipated.

Reason for action: The Willamette spring chinook run size forecast is very low, allowing for only limited fishing in the Columbia River below the mouth of the Willamette River. In contrast, the upriver spring chinook forecast is very strong and allows for recreational opportunity in the Columbia above the mouth of the Willamette River. The extended time and area is expected to allow for harvest of hatchery chinook while minimizing impacts to Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species.

Additional information: The 2008 spring chinook season is designed to allow for recreational fishing opportunity in the Columbia River while remaining within the limits set under ESA guidelines. The seasons are very specific and anglers will need to be aware of all the restrictions put in place in order to protect ESA listed salmonids. Seasons may change in season as the fishery progresses and anglers are advised to check hotlines or contact regional offices for season updates prior to angling.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.