Local News
Spring Chinook fisheryextended in lower Columbia
Published on Thu, Feb 1, 2007Read More News
Anglers may continue fishing for hatchery spring Chinook salmon in the lower Columbia River from the Interstate 5 bridge downstream to Buoy 10 through April 15 under an agreement reached today by Washington and Oregon fishery managers.
In addition, the two states approved a spring Chinook season above Bonneville Dam from March 16 through April 30 between the Tower Island power lines upstream to McNary Dam.
Anglers participating in those Chinook fisheries may also retain hatchery steelhead and shad within daily catch limits established by each state.
The fishing season approved today is designed to protect fish stocks listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) while providing for recreational and commercial fisheries on hatchery-reared Chinook salmon, said Curt Melcher, assistant division administrator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“This fishery provides both recreational opportunities and significant economic benefits for communities on both sides of the Columbia River,” Melcher said. “Our goal is to support that fishery while protecting fish listed under the ESA.”
Rules in effect for spring Chinook fisheries on the Columbia River require anglers and commercial fishers to release any wild salmon or steelhead they intercept. Based on current run projections, ESA guidelines prescribe that mortality rates for released wild Chinook cannot exceed 1.5 percent of the wild run.
Of the 164,000 spring Chinook salmon currently expected to return this year, 78,500 are upriver stocks – which include listed fish. Those salmon, bound for spawning grounds above Bonneville Dam, are the focus of conservation efforts by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon.
In addition, the two states approved a spring Chinook season above Bonneville Dam from March 16 through April 30 between the Tower Island power lines upstream to McNary Dam.
Anglers participating in those Chinook fisheries may also retain hatchery steelhead and shad within daily catch limits established by each state.
The fishing season approved today is designed to protect fish stocks listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) while providing for recreational and commercial fisheries on hatchery-reared Chinook salmon, said Curt Melcher, assistant division administrator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“This fishery provides both recreational opportunities and significant economic benefits for communities on both sides of the Columbia River,” Melcher said. “Our goal is to support that fishery while protecting fish listed under the ESA.”
Rules in effect for spring Chinook fisheries on the Columbia River require anglers and commercial fishers to release any wild salmon or steelhead they intercept. Based on current run projections, ESA guidelines prescribe that mortality rates for released wild Chinook cannot exceed 1.5 percent of the wild run.
Of the 164,000 spring Chinook salmon currently expected to return this year, 78,500 are upriver stocks – which include listed fish. Those salmon, bound for spawning grounds above Bonneville Dam, are the focus of conservation efforts by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon.
