Fall Chinook Season Opens Tuesday On Washington’s Upper Snake

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Fall Chinook harvest to be allowed in the Snake River  

Action: Opens a portion of the Snake River for harvest of fall Chinook. 

Effective date: Aug. 18 through Oct. 31, 2020.

Species affected: Chinook Salmon.

Location: The Snake River from Clarkston upstream (from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River — just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore, approximately 3 miles below Clarkston — upstream to the Oregon state line.)

Reason for action: The 2020 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver bright adults is 233,400, with 18,150 of these fish expected to return to the Snake River. This forecast is large enough to allow for harvest in the Snake River.   

Rules:  The fishery is open seven days per week. Daily limit of three adult Chinook, one of which can be non-adipose fin clipped, and no limit on Chinook jacks (clipped or unclipped). Release all other salmon. All salmon not kept as part of the daily limit cannot be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed. Washington licensed anglers must cease fishing for salmon once they have retained their adult daily limit. Barbless hooks required.

Additional information: Anglers should be sure to identify their catch because returning coho salmon and steelhead are also in the Snake River during this fishery.