Oregon fishery managers announced today that the Snake River will open to hatchery fall Chinook fishing on Thursday, Sept. 1.
The river will be open from the OR/WA border to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam and will remain open until Oct. 30, or until a closure is announced. In addition, the reach from Cliff Mountain Rapid (at river mile 246.7) upstream to the deadline at Hells Canyon Dam will be open from Nov. 1-17.
The daily bag limit will be six hatchery Chinook salmon. Anglers can also keep an unlimited number of hatchery jack Chinook. Chinook jacks are salmon between 15 and 24-inches long. Anglers cannot continue to angle for jacks once a limit of adults is retained. Wild Chinook salmon must be released immediately and unharmed.
“Fall Chinook runs in the Snake River have been impressive for the past several years,” said Jeff Yanke, Oregon Fish & Wildlife fish biologist in Enterprise. “Current run projections indicate a very strong run in 2016 that will provide fantastic opportunity to catch salmon.”
More and more Oregon anglers have discovered this productive fishery thanks to liberal bag limits and a long season. While the season opens September 1, Yanke advises the best fishing doesn’t occur until late September and early October.
Only barbless hooks may be used on this stretch of the Snake River while angling for salmon steelhead and sturgeon, and anglers should refer to the 2016 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for other rules that may apply.
Snake River fall Chinook migrate over 800 miles and pass eight mainstream dams to reach Hells Canyon, the farthest any salmon will travel in Oregon.
