Recreational anglers will get an additional nine days of spring Chinook fishing on the lower Columbia River under rules adopted on Wednesday by fishery managers from Oregon and Washington.
Under the rules adopted during a joint state hearing, anglers will be allowed to retain Chinook during two fishing periods. The first period is Thursday, April 13 through Monday, April 17. A second fishing period is Thursday, April 20 through Sunday April, 23. The effective area is from Buoy 10 upstream to Beacon Rock for both boat and bank anglers, and bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. The closure area near the mouth of the Lewis River remains in effect.
This is the second time this year fishery managers have extended the season, citing continued poor fishing conditions and low catch rates in making their decision.
The daily bag limit is two adult salmonids per day, but only one may be a Chinook. Only adipose fin-clipped fish may be kept. All other permanent regulations apply.
Anglers are reminded that under previously adopted rules, retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge (Pasco, Wash.) and shad from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam is allowed only during the same days and in areas open for retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook.
Managers will continue to monitor the returns and catch rates, and plan to meet again on Wednesday, April 19 to evaluate ongoing fisheries.
