Columbia River spring chinook sport fishery re-opened

May 23, 2018

Action: Reopens spring chinook on the mainstem Columbia River above and below Bonneville Dam to the Oregon/Washington border.

Species affected: Spring chinook.

Effective date: May 25 through June 6, 2018

Area: The mainstem Columbia River from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam.

Restrictions: Open for boat and bank fishing from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line to Beacon Rock, plus bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. The legal upstream boat boundary is defined as: A deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock.

Daily limit: 6 salmonids, up to 2 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a chinook. Release all wild salmon and wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.

Effective date: May 25 through June 15, 2018

Area: Tower Island power lines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to Oregon/Washington border from boat or bank, plus from the Oregon and Washington shore between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines (bank angling with hand-casted lines only).

Daily limit: 6 salmonids, up to 2 adults may be retained of which 1 may be a chinook. Release all wild salmon and wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.

Reason for action: This action provides additional recreational angling opportunity following a change to the number of upriver spring chinook returning. The run-size of upriver spring chinook has been updated to 116,500 fish. Based on this forecast, harvestable spring chinook are available for these fisheries. Staff will continue to monitor the run and harvest and make adjustments in-season, as necessary.

Check the sport fishing rules page for more information: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.
Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211; Region 3: (509) 575-2474.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.