Coho Opening On Columbia Between Priest Rapids, Rocky Reach Dams, Plus Icicle Creek
THE FOLLOWING ARE EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICES FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Salmon seasons updated on upper Columbia River
Action: Opens retention of Coho salmon.
Species affected: Salmon.
Revised Columbia River areas, effective dates, and rules:
- Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: Oct. 1 through Oct. 15, 2020. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult Chinook and up to two (2) may be coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release sockeye.
- Rock Island Dam to Rocky Reach Dam: Oct. 1 through October 15, 2020. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult hatchery Chinook, up to two (2) may be coho, and up to four (4) may be sockeye. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild adult Chinook.
Reason for action: Returns of upper Columbia River-bound coho salmon are sufficient to meet broodstock needs and to provide for sport angler harvest.
- Fishing closures around dams remain in effect as described in the 2020-2021 Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations.
- Two-pole fishing is allowed with valid a two-pole endorsement in the mainstem Columbia River for the seasons described above.
- Barbed hooks allowed.
Anglers are advised to routinely check WDFW’s emergency rules website at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/ for updates.
Information contact: Ephrata regional office, 509-754-4624, or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov
Icicle River to open for coho salmon retention
Action: Opens retention of coho salmon.
Effective date: One hour before official sunrise on Oct. 1, through one hour after official sunset on Nov. 30, 2020.
Species affected: Coho salmon.
Locations:
1) From the closure signs located 800 feet upstream of the mouth of the river to 500 feet downstream from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Barrier Dam.
2) From the shoreline markers where Cyo Road intersects the Icicle River at the Sleeping Lady Resort to the Icicle Peshastin Irrigation Footbridge (approximately 750 feet upstream from the Snow Lakes trailhead parking area).
Rules: Salmon daily limit two. Min. size 12 inches. Release all salmon other than coho. Fishing with bait is prohibited. Night closure in effect.
Reason for action: Coho are expected to return to the Icicle River in excess of hatchery broodstock needs and spawning escapement goals. This population is not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Additional information: Barbless hooks optional. Anglers may not use the two-pole endorsement in this fishery.
Motorized vessels are not allowed on the Icicle River (Chelan County ordinance 7.20.190 Motorboat restrictions).
WDFW will be monitoring the fishery closely and may close the season early if necessary due to excessive incidental catch and release impacts to ESA-listed summer steelhead. For emergency rule updates, please visit https: //fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.
Information contact: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, 509-665-3337; Chad Jackson, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, 509-754-4624, ext. 250
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