Spring Chinook fishing extended on Columbia River below Bonneville Dam

With catches lower than expected in March and early April, the recreational spring Chinook salmon fishery on the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam will see four additional days of fishing, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced Tuesday.

The stretch of river from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam, which was previously scheduled to close to salmon fishing on April 7, will now be open through April 11.

“Conditions so far this spring have been less than ideal for fishing,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “Continued cold weather and water has kept catch rates low, so we feel comfortable offering this extended spring fishing opportunity.”

Managers will continue to monitor spring Chinook returns and catch rates and announce additional changes if needed. The spring Chinook fishery from Bonneville upstream to the Oregon/Washington border opened April 1 and is scheduled to run through May 6.