(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) —With the upriver spring Chinook return on track to come in higher than originally forecast, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington added more recreational spring Chinook fishing days on the mainstem Columbia during a joint state hearing today.
Fishery biologists with the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) have updated the expected upriver-origin adult spring Chinook return to 155,500 fish (up from 122,500 fish). With the increased forecast and remaining harvest allocation, more fishing days can be added while staying within allowed ESA-impact rates and other management limits.
As of May 18, a total of 102,025 adult spring Chinook have passed Bonneville Dam, which is greater than the recent 10- and 5-year averages for this date (84,000 and 78,000 fish, respectively).
Anglers downstream of Bonneville Dam had their season extended through June 12, while upriver anglers will see an additional 25 spring Chinook fishing days, with retention open May 22-June 15 between Bonneville Dam and the OR/WA state line (upstream of McNary Dam).
“I’m just happy we could have both areas open for the Memorial Day holiday weekend,” said Tucker Jones, ODFW’s Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Program Manager. “Hopefully folks can get out and enjoy themselves on the water.”
Open dates, areas, and bag limits for adult fish for the days added follow:
Downstream of Bonneville Dam
Dates: Friday May 23 – Thursday June 12
Open area: Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Beacon Rock plus only the Oregon and Washington banks from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. For exact boundaries visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone#Regulation-Updates
Daily Adult Bag Limit: Two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook.
Upstream of Bonneville Dam
Dates: Thursday May 22 – Sunday June 15
Open area: Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below the Dalles Dam) upstream to the Oregon/Washington border, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines.
Daily Adult Bag limit: Two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook.
All other permanent regulations apply, including the permanent retention regulations for hatchery steelhead (which differ above and below I-5 Bridge) on days when hatchery spring Chinook retention is not allowed.
Anglers are reminded that from March 1 through June 15 on days when the mainstem Columbia River recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam is open to retention of Chinook, the daily salmonid bag limit in Oregon and Washington Select Areas will be the same as mainstem Columbia River bag limits.
For the latest on Columbia River fishing regulations, visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone#Regulation-Updates
