October 16, 2015
Actions: Liberalize chinook salmon rules for the mainstem Columbia River upstream from Priest Rapids Dam.
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Effective date: Oct. 17 through Nov. 30, 2015
Location: Mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400' below Chief Joseph
Dam.
General rules and daily limits:
Six chinook salmon (adipose present or clipped, no MSF), of which only three may be adult chinook. Release coho salmon.
Minimum size 12 inches.
Selective gear rules, except bait allowed.
Night closure upstream of the powerlines crossing the Columbia River approximately 3/4 mile downstream of Wells Dam.
Reason for actions: Over 60,000 chinook primarily from the Hanford Reach fall chinook hatchery programs have returned above Priest Rapids Dam, including over 25,000 above Rock Island Dam. The intent of the fishery is the removal of excess hatchery fall chinook from the Upper Columbia River Basin. The population is not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Other information: Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that rivers can close at any time due to impacts on natural origin steelhead.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, Ryan Fortier, District 6 (Okanogan) Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, Travis Maitland, District 7 (Chelan) Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337.
Species affected: Chinook salmon.
Effective date: Oct. 17 through Nov. 30, 2015
Location: Mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400' below Chief Joseph
Dam.
General rules and daily limits:
Six chinook salmon (adipose present or clipped, no MSF), of which only three may be adult chinook. Release coho salmon.
Minimum size 12 inches.
Selective gear rules, except bait allowed.
Night closure upstream of the powerlines crossing the Columbia River approximately 3/4 mile downstream of Wells Dam.
Reason for actions: Over 60,000 chinook primarily from the Hanford Reach fall chinook hatchery programs have returned above Priest Rapids Dam, including over 25,000 above Rock Island Dam. The intent of the fishery is the removal of excess hatchery fall chinook from the Upper Columbia River Basin. The population is not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Other information: Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that rivers can close at any time due to impacts on natural origin steelhead.
Information contacts: Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624, Ryan Fortier, District 6 (Okanogan) Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, Travis Maitland, District 7 (Chelan) Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337.