WDFW announces Columbia upriver spring chinook season

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has set the spring chinook sport season for Columbia River tributaries above Bonneville Dam. The dates and regulations were adopted to allow fishing opportunities for hatchery chinook and steelhead while protecting wild salmon runs. The area is cooperatively managed with the Yakama Indian Nation.

WDFW biologists are predicting a sport catch of nearly 6,500 fish during the season.

The seasons and regulations set by the agency are:

• Wind River -- Fishing is allowed from the mouth boundary markers to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls from April 1 to May 31 with a daily limit of two salmonids, salmon or hatchery steelhead. Between June 1 and June 15, the daily limit is two salmon. The Wind River is also open June 1 through June 15 from 100 feet above the Shipherd Falls fish ladder to the lower boundary markers below Carson National Fish Hatchery. The daily limit is two salmon. The steelhead season reverts to permanent regulations beginning June 1. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect April 1 through May 31.

• Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) -- Open April 1 through May 15 below the markers on the point of land downstream and across from the federal salmon hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 bridge. The daily limit is two salmonids, salmon or hatchery steelhead. Night closure and non- buoyant lure restrictions are in effect.

• White Salmon River -- Fishing is allowed April 1 through July 31 from the markers below the Burlington Northern railroad bridge upstream to the powerhouse. The river is also open April 1 through June 15 from the powerhouse to 400 feet downstream from Northwestern (Condit) Dam. The daily limit is one salmon.

• Klickitat River -- Open from the mouth to Fisher Hill Bridge. Fishing allowed only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April 2 to May 31. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect. The daily limit is one salmonid, either a salmon or a hatchery steelhead.

• Ringold Hatchery area -- Open from the marker 1/4 mile downstream of the Ringold wasteway outlet, upstream to the marker « mile above Springs Creek. Fishing allowed daily, May 1 through July 31. The daily limit is two salmon. Fishing is permitted from the bank only on the hatchery side of the Columbia River. Springs Creek is closed. WDFW biologists recommended the later opening for the Ringold area to allow upper Columbia River spring chinook to pass. Steelhead angling is open all year under permanent regulations.

• Icicle Creek -- Will be open daily from May 8 through May 31 from the mouth to the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. The daily limit is one salmonid, either a salmon or hatchery steelhead. From June 1 to June 30, the daily limit is one salmon. The waters within 400 feet downstream of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery rack are closed. The steelhead season reverts to permanent regulations beginning June 1. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect May 8 to June 30.