Action: Opens additional spring Chinook fisheries downstream of Washington/Oregon border.
Species affected: Chinook and steelhead
Location, dates, and rule:
(1) Columbia River: From a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank to the Interstate 5 Bridge:
Immediately through May 22: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
May 23: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
May 24 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
(2) Columbia River: From the Interstate 5 Bridge to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock:
Immediately through May 22: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
May 23: Salmon and steelhead: Closed. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
May 24 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
(3) Columbia River: From a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam:
Immediately through May 22: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit. Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
May 23: Salmon and steelhead: Closed.
May 24 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit. Fishing from a vessel is prohibited for all species. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
(4) Columbia River: From Bonneville Dam to Tower Island power lines:
May 26 and May 28 only: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit. Fishing from a vessel for salmon and steelhead is prohibited; bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
(5) Columbia River: From Tower Island power lines to The Dalles Dam:
May 26 and May 28 only: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
(6) From a line drawn from a fishing boundary sign located on the Washington bank approximately 1000′ upstream of the Dalles Dam boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign located on the Oregon bank approximately 200? above The Dalles Dam fish ladder exit to Hwy. 730 at Washington/Oregon Border:
May 26 and May 28 only: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon min. size 12 inches. Shad retention is permitted, no min. size or daily limit.
Reason for action: The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee updated the 2022 upriver spring Chinook return to 180,000, which allows for additional spring Chinook directed angling opportunity. This action re-opens the spring Chinook fisheries consistent with the Compact Actions of May 11 and 18, 2022. The fisheries were set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to minimize impacts to other stocks of concern.
Additional information: All other permanent regulations apply.
If you would like to stay up to date on Fishing Rule Changes as they are announced, you can sign up for the agency email list at https: //wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.
Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Original source can be found here.
