Fall Chinook season opened in Hells Canyon on Aug. 26 from Washington state line to the boundary below Hells Canyon Dam.
Snake River fall Chinook are currently migrating up the main stem Columbia River and will be arriving in the Oregon section of the Snake in the upcoming weeks. “This has been one of our most consistent opportunities for salmon anglers in northeast Oregon,” said Kyle Bratcher, district fish biologist in Enterprise for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW). “With the strong runs of fall Chinook, we’ll be able to offer this fishery as a permanent opportunity starting in 2022,” said Bratcher.
Managers with ODFW and Idaho Fish and Game expect nearly 25,000 fall Chinook to return to the Snake River above Lower Granite Dam. Snake River fall Chinook have rebounded in recent years from less than 1,000 fish annually in the 1990s to more than 20,000 fish annually thanks in part to well-managed hatchery supplementation. “This rebound in abundance has allowed us to offer annual fisheries since 2009,” said Bratcher. “We’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity into the future,” he added.
The fall Chinook fishery will be open from Aug. 26 to Oct. 31 or until further notice. The daily bag limit is three adult Chinook per day over 24 inches and no limit on jacks. Anglers must cease fishing for all salmon once they have retained a limit of adult Chinook. Barbless hooks and a Columbia Basin Endorsement are required when angling for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon in the Snake River. All other 2021 sport fishing regulations apply.
Visit the ODFW website for the latest on N.E. Oregon and Snake River fishing in-season regulation changes.
