Columbia Chinook Limit Upped To 2/Day; Lower Yakima Opened For Salmon

THE FOLLOWING ARE A PRESS RELEASE FROM O.D.F.W. AND AN EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM W.D.F.W.

Columbia River salmon bag limit includes two Chinook as of Oct. 1

September 30, 2020

CLACKAMAS, Ore.— Oregon and Washington fishery managers are liberalizing the bag limit for adult salmon on the Columbia River; beginning Oct. 1, the daily adult bag limit of two salmon may include up to two Chinook.

The change applies to the ongoing recreational fishery open through Dec. 31 in the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge near Pasco, WA. All coho retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be hatchery-origin.

All other regulations remain in effect including those specific to retention of jacks (5 per day allowed under permanent Oregon regulations), previously adopted steelhead retention closures and bag limits, and the use of barbless hooks only.

For the latest on Columbia River regulations, visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone

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Yakima River fall salmon fishery to open 

Action: Opens the Yakima River to fishing for salmon. 

Effective date: Thursday, Oct. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020.  

Species affected: Chinook and coho salmon. 

Location: From the Hwy. 240 bridge in Richland (river mile 2.1) to the Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0) approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Prosser Dam. 

Rules: Minimum size 12”. Daily limit of two adults. No limit on jacks. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Night closure in effect. Barbless hooks required.  

Reason for action: Fall Chinook are returning to the Yakima River in higher numbers than forecasted. Fall Chinook and coho are expected to be sufficient in numbers to provide a limited sport fishery. 

Additional information: Anglers must stop fishing for salmon once they have retained their adult daily limit.  

All salmon that are not to be kept as part of the daily limit cannot be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed. Therefore, anglers should be sure to confirm their catch is a Chinook or coho salmon before removing it from the water.  

Fishing remains closed from 200 feet downstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse/Spillway to 200 feet upstream of the USBR Chandler Powerhouse. 

Fishery managers will continue to monitor the return and announce any additional changes to the fishery if necessary. Before heading out, anglers are encouraged to visit https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/ to check for any in-season rule changes. 

Information contact: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 fish biologist, 509-545-2284.