02-06-2013, 12:10 PM
Spring chinook fishing is currently open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to the Interstate 5 bridge. Under the new rules adopted today, the sport fishery will expand upriver to Beacon Rock from March 1 through April 5. During that period, the sport fishery will close on two Tuesdays - March 26 and April 2 - to accommodate possible commercial fisheries.
Starting March 1, the bank anglers' fishing area will be extended from Beacon Rock up to the fishing boundary below Bonneville Dam.
Above Bonneville Dam, the fishery will be open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from March 16 through May 5 between the Tower Island powerlines six miles below The Dalles Dam and the Washington/Oregon state line, 17 miles upriver from McNary Dam. Bank anglers can also fish from Bonneville Dam upriver to the Tower Island powerlines during that time.
Starting March 1, anglers fishing downriver from Bonneville Dam may retain one adipose-clipped hatchery adult spring chinook as part of their daily catch limit. Above the dam, anglers can keep two marked adult spring chinook per day effective March 16.
To guard against overestimating this year's run, the states will again manage the fisheries with a 30 percent buffer until the forecast can be updated in late April or early May.
Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon will schedule a meeting before the season below Bonneville Dam closes April 5 to review the catch and determine if the season can be extended. If the catch to that point has not reached the initial harvest guideline, the two states may consider an immediate extension.
"We've agreed to take a conservative approach until May, when we we'll have a better idea how many fish are actually returning," Roler said. "If the fish return at or above expectations, we will look toward providing additional days of fishing on the river later in the spring."
Starting March 1, the bank anglers' fishing area will be extended from Beacon Rock up to the fishing boundary below Bonneville Dam.
Above Bonneville Dam, the fishery will be open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from March 16 through May 5 between the Tower Island powerlines six miles below The Dalles Dam and the Washington/Oregon state line, 17 miles upriver from McNary Dam. Bank anglers can also fish from Bonneville Dam upriver to the Tower Island powerlines during that time.
Starting March 1, anglers fishing downriver from Bonneville Dam may retain one adipose-clipped hatchery adult spring chinook as part of their daily catch limit. Above the dam, anglers can keep two marked adult spring chinook per day effective March 16.
To guard against overestimating this year's run, the states will again manage the fisheries with a 30 percent buffer until the forecast can be updated in late April or early May.
Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon will schedule a meeting before the season below Bonneville Dam closes April 5 to review the catch and determine if the season can be extended. If the catch to that point has not reached the initial harvest guideline, the two states may consider an immediate extension.
"We've agreed to take a conservative approach until May, when we we'll have a better idea how many fish are actually returning," Roler said. "If the fish return at or above expectations, we will look toward providing additional days of fishing on the river later in the spring."