Hanford Reach Fishing Report (9-20-21)

THE FOLLOWING FISHING REPORT WAS FORWARDED BY PAUL HOFFARTH, WDFW

Hanford Reach Fall Salmon Fishery Update (Sept 19)

Adult fall chinook counts at McNary declined slightly this past week, ~3,000 – 6,000 per day. From August 9 to September 19, 111,497 adult fall chinook have passed McNary; roughly 3% above the 2020 return (108,389).

Fishing effort and harvest continues to increase in the Hanford Reach fall salmon fishery. A run update was completed this week for the Hanford Reach fall chinook return. The wild return is currently estimated at 77,507 adult chinook, ~15% above the preseason forecast. Based on the in-season update, harvest allocated to the Hanford Reach sport fishery is expected to be sufficient to continue the fishery with a two adult limit through the end of the scheduled season. The next in-season update will be posted September 24. The upcoming three weeks should offer the best fishing of the fall.

From September 13 through September 19, WDFW staff interviewed anglers from 603 boats (1,500 anglers) and 110 bank anglers with a harvest of 490 adult chinook, 37 jacks, and 9 coho. Boats averaged 18 angler hours per salmon, just under 1 salmon per boat. Bank anglers averaged 54 hours per salmon.

Based on sampling, an estimated 1,668 adult chinook, 125 chinook jacks, and 31 coho were harvested during 5,357 angler trips this past week. For the season, 3,403 adult chinook, 307 chinook jacks, and 63 coho have been harvested.

Yakima River Fall Salmon Fishery

The Yakima River fall salmon fishery was not listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for 2021-22 based on the pre-season fall chinook return forecast. WDFW staff is currently monitoring the return and could potentially open the fishery if numbers exceed the forecast. If the fall chinook return is expected to exceed the forecast based on adult fall chinook counted at the Prosser Diversion the fishery will be opened by emergency regulation.