With the fishery expected to surpass its allowable catch in the coming days, the spring Chinook recreational fishery on the Columbia River mainstem above Bonneville Dam was closed as of Wednesday (May 4), fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced.
The season was originally scheduled to run through Thursday (May 5).
Fishery managers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that catches of migrating upriver spring Chinook have likely already been met for the section of Columbia River that runs from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.
“It’s been a productive season, and though it’s disappointing to have to close this fishery a couple of days ahead of schedule, it’s necessary to ensure we meet our conservation goals for these upriver Chinook,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fishery manager with WDFW.
“This adaptive approach to managing fisheries in-season is essential to ensuring we remain within our harvest constraints and are able to consider offering additional fisheries moving forward.”
Managers will continue to monitor the run and assess the potential for additional opportunities, Lothrop said.
Spring Chinook fishing remains open in the Snake River, Drano Lake, and a number of tributaries below Bonneville Dam.
Anglers should check WDFW’s emergency rules webpage before heading out.
Permanent rules can be found in the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Fishery reports
COLUMBIA RIVER TRIBUTARIES
SALMON/STEELHEAD
Cowlitz River from Interstate 5 Bridge downstream — 128 bank rods kept six Chinook and released one Chinook and two steelhead; 14 boats/32 rods kept two Chinook.
Cowlitz River above Interstate 5 Bridge — 37 bank rods kept four Chinook; 13 boats/29 rods kept one Chinook.
Kalama River — 41 bank rods had no catch; 37 boats/87 rods kept 31 Chinook, one steelhead and released two Chinook and eight steelhead.
Lewis River — 73 bank rods kept four Chinook and two jacks; 41 boats/87 rods kept 40 Chinook, six jacks and released two Chinook and one steelhead.
Wind River — 12 bank rods kept two Chinook; 249 boats/796 rods kept 300 Chinook, one jack and released 15 Chinook and one jack.
Drano Lake — 40 bank rods kept one Chinook; 262 boats/706 rods kept 318 Chinook and released eight Chinook.
Klickitat River below Fisher Hill Bridge — 10 bank rods had no catch.
Recent trout plants
Lake Sacajawea, April 29 — 2,500 rainbow, 2.50 fish per pound from Mossyrock Hatchery; 45 rainbow, 0.33 fish per pound from Goldendale Hatchery; 30 rainbow, 0.15 fish per pound from Goldendale Hatchery.
