04-22-2004, 02:54 AM
[size 2]Columbia River closes to spring chinook angling tomorrow between I-5 and Bonneville
SALEM - The states of Washington and Oregon today decided to close the sport fishery for hatchery spring chinook effective tomorrow between the Interstate 5 Bridge and Bonneville Dam because the allowable impacts to wild salmon have been met in that area.
Angling for adipose fin-clipped salmon, adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad may continue seven days a week in the lower river below the Interstate 5 Bridge and in the upper river above Bonneville Dam under previously adopted temporary rules.
With today's action, fishery managers hope to keep the remainder of the river open through the end of April and possibly into May.
Catch rates for spring chinook have been excellent below Bonneville Dam in April, with anglers averaging 0.43 chinook per trip. Since the fishery began in February, 132,428 anglers have fished the Columbia River and landed 24,848 fish. Of those, 19,204 were taken home.
Spring chinook provide tremendous economic benefit to both the commercial and sport-fishing industries because the meat is prized for its flavor and it is the first fresh non-farmed salmon of the season to reach barbecues and specialty markets.
The Columbia River spring chinook fishery is managed to allow the harvest of hatchery fish while protecting salmon runs that are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The sport fishery for the Columbia River is limited to a 1.2 percent "impact" to upriver spring chinook, which are listed as threatened under the federal ESA. "Impacts" are the unintended mortalities associated with handling and releasing wild fish. The fishery in the area between I-5 and Bonneville Dam was expected to exceed its portion of the allowable impact if it remained open through the weekend.
The fishing rules that will be in effect starting 12:01 a.m., Thursday, April 22 are as follows:
· For the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to the Interstate 5 Bridge, the season for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad is open seven days a week until the allowable impacts are reached or May 15, which ever occurs first. Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped adult spring chinook or steelhead. Anglers are prohibited from totally removing from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.
· For the mainstem Columbia River from Tower Island power lines upstream to McNary Dam and the Oregon bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines (about 6 miles below The Dalles Dam), the season for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad is open seven days a week until the allowable impacts are reached or May 15, which ever occurs first. Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped adult spring chinook or steelhead. Anglers are prohibited from totally removing from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.
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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002[/size]
[signature]
SALEM - The states of Washington and Oregon today decided to close the sport fishery for hatchery spring chinook effective tomorrow between the Interstate 5 Bridge and Bonneville Dam because the allowable impacts to wild salmon have been met in that area.
Angling for adipose fin-clipped salmon, adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad may continue seven days a week in the lower river below the Interstate 5 Bridge and in the upper river above Bonneville Dam under previously adopted temporary rules.
With today's action, fishery managers hope to keep the remainder of the river open through the end of April and possibly into May.
Catch rates for spring chinook have been excellent below Bonneville Dam in April, with anglers averaging 0.43 chinook per trip. Since the fishery began in February, 132,428 anglers have fished the Columbia River and landed 24,848 fish. Of those, 19,204 were taken home.
Spring chinook provide tremendous economic benefit to both the commercial and sport-fishing industries because the meat is prized for its flavor and it is the first fresh non-farmed salmon of the season to reach barbecues and specialty markets.
The Columbia River spring chinook fishery is managed to allow the harvest of hatchery fish while protecting salmon runs that are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The sport fishery for the Columbia River is limited to a 1.2 percent "impact" to upriver spring chinook, which are listed as threatened under the federal ESA. "Impacts" are the unintended mortalities associated with handling and releasing wild fish. The fishery in the area between I-5 and Bonneville Dam was expected to exceed its portion of the allowable impact if it remained open through the weekend.
The fishing rules that will be in effect starting 12:01 a.m., Thursday, April 22 are as follows:
· For the mainstem Columbia River from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to the Interstate 5 Bridge, the season for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad is open seven days a week until the allowable impacts are reached or May 15, which ever occurs first. Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped adult spring chinook or steelhead. Anglers are prohibited from totally removing from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.
· For the mainstem Columbia River from Tower Island power lines upstream to McNary Dam and the Oregon bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines (about 6 miles below The Dalles Dam), the season for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad is open seven days a week until the allowable impacts are reached or May 15, which ever occurs first. Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped adult spring chinook or steelhead. Anglers are prohibited from totally removing from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.
###
Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002[/size]
[signature]
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