Meetings set for March 26-28 on salmon fisheries in sections of Columbia and Snake rivers

OLYMPIA - Anglers have three opportunities in March to meet with state fishery managers to talk about salmon fisheries in the mid- and upper Columbia River and lower Snake River before this year's seasons are set.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled three public meetings to discuss pre-season salmon forecasts and upcoming spring, summer, and fall fishing seasons - particularly those proposed for salmon upstream from McNary Dam.

Those meetings are as scheduled:

• East Wenatchee: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 26, Douglas County PUD, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee.
• Kennewick: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 27, Kennewick Irrigation District, 2015 S. Ely St., Kennewick.
• Clarkston: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 28, Walla Walla Community College, Clarkston Campus Room 104, 1470 Bridge St., Clarkston.

These meetings are part of the salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon, which involves representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries. Additional public meetings have been scheduled through early April to discuss regional fisheries.

Final salmon fishing seasons are scheduled to be adopted at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting April 11-15 in Rohnert Park, Calif.

A meeting schedule, salmon forecasts and information about the salmon season-setting process for Puget Sound, the Columbia River and the Washington coast are available on WDFW's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/, where comments about salmon fisheries can also be submitted electronically.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.