ODFW, BPA Meet Over End Of Federal Funding For Lower Columbia Hatchery Program
A meeting today between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Bonneville Power Administration over recently pulled federal funding for a hatchery salmon program close to the mouth of the Columbia did not produce any breakthrough for the state agency whatsoever.
Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Bill To Expand Removal Of Columbia Sea Lions
A bill that would allow tribes with connections to the Lower Columbia and rest of the big river up to McNary Dam to lethally remove sea lions has been introduced in Congress, and the Trump Administration is signaling its early support.
85 Northern Pike Netted Out Of Lake Washington This Spring, ‘Worrisome Increase’
With gillnetting wrapped up for the season, tribal comanagers report that a total of 85 northern pike were removed from Lake Washington over four weeks this spring, leaps and bounds more than any previous year.
Shhhh! Hatchery Chinook Reared In Quiet Environment More Likely To Return As Adults
A steady hum in the background at night? Good for helping people get a good rest, but apparently not so great if you’re a hatchery salmon.
Reminder: Clatsop Beaches Razor Clam Conservation Closure Begins July 15
Oregon’s annual North Coast razor clam conservation closure begins Wednesday, July 15, with digging tentatively scheduled to return to the Clatsop beaches October 1. Harvesting remains open elsewhere on the Oregon Coast, though razor clam abundance is far lower.
SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (7-7-26)
Late June and early July 2026 steelhead, Chinook, sturgeon, walleye and shad catch stats for the Lower Columbia and select Southwest Washington tributaries.
Oregon Congressmen Join Chorus Against BPA’s Decision To Stop Funding Lower Columbia Fish Program
Oregon’s two US Senators and five of its six Congressmen are calling out the Bonneville Power Administration’s sudden decision to quit funding hatchery salmon production at the mouth of the Columbia River last month.
Former Oregon DOC Officer Loses Hunting Privileges For Life, Fined $114,000 For Big Game Violations
Oregon fish and wildlife troopers provide more details on a “significant investigation” covering two different cases against a former state Department of Corrections Officer recently sentenced for poaching big game animals and unlawful possession of a firearm, silencer and wildlife, among other charges.
Freedom! Fish!! Fishing!!!
America turns 250 years old this month, and what better way to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence back in July 1776 than fishing at patriotic-themed waters across the Northwest?
SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (6-29-26)
Late June 2026 salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon catch stats for the Lower Columbia and select Southwest Washington tributaries.
Oregon Coast Wild Fall Salmon Seasons OKed; ODFW To Ask NMFS About Opening Alsea Coho Fishery
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission gave the thumbs up to 2026 coastal wild fall Chinook and coho fisheries as proposed by ODFW as well as requested agency staffers to ask federal overseers if a silver season couldn’t also be held on the Alsea.
ODFW Hosting Meetings To Talk 2027 Big Game Regulation Proposals
Four public meetings will be held in July around Oregon to learn about proposed changes to next year’s big game regs, with draft controlled tag numbers also now available.
SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (6-25-26)
Mid- to late June 2026 steelhead, Chinook, shad and sturgeon catch stats for the Lower Columbia River and select Southwest Washington tributaries, as well as northern pikeminnow sport-reward program data.
BPA Won’t Help Fund Lower Columbia’s SAFE Salmon Programs After Saying It Would
Four months ago, the Bonneville Power Administration publicly announced to interested parties it “would continue to provide partial funding” to the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement Program in the Lower Columbia.
Yesterday, in a dramatic reversal, it was revealed BPA had completely changed its mind, putting state and county partners in a significant financial bind to the tune of $2.4 million and the production of 7-plus million hatchery spring Chinook and coho in a lurch.
Columbia Sockeye Season Cut
The sockeye season opener on the Columbia River from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Tri-Cities was moved back four days, the Hanford Reach season will close early and the Upper Columbia fishery won’t open July 1.
Dismantling Of Crucial Ocean Monitoring System Scrapped
provides important information for West Coast fishery managers and coastal communities.