Spring chinook sport fisheries set for Bonneville Pool tributaries

VANCOUVER - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has set salmon fisheries in Bonneville Pool tributaries that reflect good expected returns of spring chinook to these streams.

The Wind River and Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) are set to open March 16, while the Klickitat and White Salmon rivers will open April 1. A two-fish daily limit will be in effect in all four rivers. Retention of marked and unmarked chinook will be allowed, and only hatchery steelhead may be retained.

The Wind River will be open seven days a week from March 16 through June 30 from the mouth to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls. The stretch of river from Shipherd Falls to markers approximately one-half mile below the Carson National Fish Hatchery (except the closed area around the coffer dam) will be open from May 1 through June 30.

Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) will be open seven days per week beginning March 16 through June 30, except that fishing will be closed on Wednesdays from April 13 through May 25. Fishing is allowed from the mouth to markers below the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery.

"Returns of chinook to the Wind River and Drano Lake are not expected to be as strong as 2004's high numbers, but we still anticipate good fisheries in those tributaries," said Pat Frazier, WDFW regional fisheries manager.

"We are predicting a record return of spring chinook to the Klickitat River, which should provide excellent fishing opportunities there," Frazier said.

Fishing on the Klickitat River from the mouth to Fisher Hill Bridge will be allowed four days per week - Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday - from April 1 through May 31. Additionally, the section from 400 feet above the #5 Fishway to the markers below the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery will be open for the month of May.

Because of the strong fish run expected this year, an additional day each week of fishing has been set in the lower section of the river and an additional month of fishing has been established in the upper section of the river, over 2004 seasons.

The White Salmon River will be open to salmon fishing from April 1 through June 30. Fishing is allowed from the mouth to the powerhouse.

Emergency fishing rule changes can be accessed online or by calling (360) 902-2500. Information on licensing and additional fishing opportunities is available on WDFW's website.