Recreational anglers will have more time to reel in a summer Chinook or sockeye salmon, thanks to improved forecasts for both runs returning to the Columbia River this year.
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington extended the summer recreational Chinook and sockeye season from July 7 through July 31 following a run update showing Chinook numbers increasing from the preseason estimate of 73,000 to 85,000 fish, and sockeye numbers increasing from the preseason estimate of 340,000 to 450,000 fish.
The extension applies to the Columbia River from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline so now the entire area upstream to the Oregon/Washington border is open through July 31.
Fishery managers also modified Chinook retention regulations over a longer stretch of the Columbia by allowing the harvest of both fin-clipped and unclipped Chinook, but allowing only one Chinook in the two salmonid daily bag limit starting July 3. The effective area is Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the Oregon/Washington border. Prior to July 3, rules required Chinook be fin-clipped in order to be retained. The daily bag for this season also includes retention of up to five jack Chinook (12 to 24 inches) which will no longer need to be fin-clipped to be retained.
Anglers are reminded that steelhead must be adipose fin-clipped to be retained, and that all sockeye, regardless of size, must be recorded as adults on the combined angling tag.
