The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Elochoman River from the mouth to the bridge at the site of the former salmon hatchery will open two weeks early to fishing for hatchery spring chinook and hatchery steelhead.

Effective dates are May 23 through June 5.

The salmon and steelhead daily limit is six fish of which no more than two may be hatchery adult chinook or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Wild chinook and wild steelhead must be released. Release all trout except hatchery steelhead.

Selective gear rules will be in effect during this early fishery. A Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement is required.

The section between the bridge at the site of the former salmon hatchery and 100 feet above the upper hatchery rack remains closed to all fishing at all times.

This will implement new permanent rules recently adopted during the gamefish and North of Falcon salmon regulation processes. Under the new permanent rules, the early fishery will start the last Saturday in May. Because the Memorial Day weekend is early this year, this emergency regulation will allow anglers to fish during the upcoming holiday weekend.