Fishery Management in Columbia River Cold Water Refuge for Salmonids

To minimize their exposure to lethal or near lethal warm temperatures during adult migration, salmonids will temporarily move into areas of cooler water. During their temporary residence in cold-water refuges, these fish may be subjected to recreational harvest (both target and non-target indirect). Therefore, cold-water refuges simultaneously benefit anglers by concentrating fish, while potentially posing conservation risks if angling mortality exceeds harvest constraints. The purpose of this white paper is to provide recommendations for fishery management within cold-water refuges (CWR).