September 26, 2019
Action: Closes salmon fishing in some areas of the Snake River.
Effective date: Sept. 29, 2019
Species affected: Fall Chinook salmon.
Locations and daily limits:
A) Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco Railroad Bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite Dam: Closed, with the exception of Section B (below).
B) Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery: From the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River upstream to the Highway 261 Bridge (~1.4 miles):
Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) Chinook, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
C) Clarkston: Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp:
Open through Oct. 13. Daily limit 6 adult Chinook with up to one non adipose fin-clipped adult, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
D) Couse Creek Boat Ramp to the Oregon State Line:
Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult Chinook with up to one non adipose fin-clipped adult, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
Reason for action: A significant downgrade in the B-index steelhead forecast requires additional protection of returning hatchery and natural origin fish. The Fall Chinook return is large enough to continue to allow some harvest opportunities within the Snake River fisheries, while providing protection of B-index steelhead.
Based on the new B-index steelhead forecast, Washington fishery managers are closing the steelhead fishery below Couse Creek Boat Ramp Oct. 1 to protect B-index steelhead. WDFW feels it is necessary to also limit impacts to B-index steelhead from our fall Chinook fisheries. These changes will help to ensure that sufficient numbers of both wild and hatchery B-index fish return to their natal tributaries and hatcheries of origin in Idaho. WDFW will continue to monitor the steelhead return.
Additional information: Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after either the steelhead or adult salmon daily limit has been retained.
The Chinook fishery is open seven days per week. Adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin.
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for Chinook or steelhead in the Snake River.
Anglers may not remove any salmon or steelhead from the water if it is not or cannot be retained as part of the daily limit.
All steelhead must be immediately released unharmed in Sections A-C (steelhead fishing is closed in these areas). In Section D all unmarked steelhead must be released unharmed (steelhead fishing is open with daily limit of one hatchery fish).
WDFW will continue to monitor the steelhead return. If additional conservation measures need to be taken, or additional opportunity can be offered without negatively impacting wild or hatchery steelhead abundances, seasons and harvest rules may be adjusted in coming months. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 fish biologist, 509-382-1005
Effective date: Sept. 29, 2019
Species affected: Fall Chinook salmon.
Locations and daily limits:
A) Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco Railroad Bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite Dam: Closed, with the exception of Section B (below).
B) Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery: From the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River upstream to the Highway 261 Bridge (~1.4 miles):
Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) Chinook, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
C) Clarkston: Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore) upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp:
Open through Oct. 13. Daily limit 6 adult Chinook with up to one non adipose fin-clipped adult, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
D) Couse Creek Boat Ramp to the Oregon State Line:
Open through Oct. 31. Daily limit 6 adult Chinook with up to one non adipose fin-clipped adult, no daily limit for jack Chinook; release all other salmon.
Reason for action: A significant downgrade in the B-index steelhead forecast requires additional protection of returning hatchery and natural origin fish. The Fall Chinook return is large enough to continue to allow some harvest opportunities within the Snake River fisheries, while providing protection of B-index steelhead.
Based on the new B-index steelhead forecast, Washington fishery managers are closing the steelhead fishery below Couse Creek Boat Ramp Oct. 1 to protect B-index steelhead. WDFW feels it is necessary to also limit impacts to B-index steelhead from our fall Chinook fisheries. These changes will help to ensure that sufficient numbers of both wild and hatchery B-index fish return to their natal tributaries and hatcheries of origin in Idaho. WDFW will continue to monitor the steelhead return.
Additional information: Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after either the steelhead or adult salmon daily limit has been retained.
The Chinook fishery is open seven days per week. Adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin.
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for Chinook or steelhead in the Snake River.
Anglers may not remove any salmon or steelhead from the water if it is not or cannot be retained as part of the daily limit.
All steelhead must be immediately released unharmed in Sections A-C (steelhead fishing is closed in these areas). In Section D all unmarked steelhead must be released unharmed (steelhead fishing is open with daily limit of one hatchery fish).
WDFW will continue to monitor the steelhead return. If additional conservation measures need to be taken, or additional opportunity can be offered without negatively impacting wild or hatchery steelhead abundances, seasons and harvest rules may be adjusted in coming months. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 fish biologist, 509-382-1005