Oregon and Washington re-open lower Columbia sport salmon fishing

Oregon and Washington fishery managers announced today that the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam downstream to Buoy 10 will re-open to spring chinook salmon sport fishing Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27.
 

The states, which jointly manage Columbia River fisheries, opted to reopen the recreational fishing season after reviewing a run update that supported an additional lower river target of 1,400 upriver chinook.

“We’re able to provide some additional opportunity for the holiday weekend, which people have been asking for,” said Kevleen Melcher, assistant fisheries manager for ODFW’s Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Program.

The daily bag limit includes up to two adult adipose fin-clipped salmon/steelhead in combination, of which only one may be a chinook. Anglers are also allowed to keep up to five chinook jacks. Sockeye salmon may be retained but count toward the adult bag limit regardless of size.

The four-mile stretch from Bonneville downstream to Beacon Rock is restricted to bank fishing only. Above Bonneville, chinook fishing is now closed.

A commercial opening will be considering during a meeting next Tuesday at 3pm.