Mainstem Columbia (Bonneville-State Line) Closing For Springers

THE FOLLOWING ARE PRESS RELEASES FROM THE OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Salmon fishing closed above Bonneville Dam as of May 4

Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington closed salmon and steelhead fishing on the mainstem Columbia River between Bonneville Dam and the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam).  

This fishery was originally scheduled to continue through Thursday, May 5. However, good catches during the past week means the fishery is projected to have used up its pre-run update allocation of spring Chinook. The closure is in effect beginning Wednesday, May 4. 

The U.S. v. OR Technical Advisory Committee meets regularly in-season to review the ongoing return of upriver spring Chinook and provides a run update when it is possible. The first spring Chinook run-size update typically occurs in early to mid-May.  

Through May 2, 51,484 adult spring Chinook have crossed Bonneville Dam, which is about 19 percent higher than the recent 10-year average passage to date. However, it is still early in the return with an average of 25 percent of the return passing Bonneville by this date during the past ten years. 

All other permanent regulations in the 2022 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations remain in effect. For the latest Columbia River fishing regulations, remember to always check the Recreation Report Fishing Report at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone  

Columbia River spring Chinook fishery to close above Bonneville Dam

With the fishery expected to surpass its allowable catch in the coming days, the spring Chinook recreational fishery on the Columbia River mainstem above Bonneville Dam will close beginning May 4, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon have announced.

Originally scheduled to run through May 5, the fishery will now close after Tuesday, May 3.

Fishery managers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that catches of migrating upriver spring Chinook have likely already been met for the section of Columbia River that runs from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.

“It’s been a productive season, and though it’s disappointing to have to close this fishery a couple of days ahead of schedule, it’s necessary to ensure we meet our conservation goals for these upriver Chinook,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fishery manager with WDFW. “This adaptive approach to managing fisheries in-season is essential to ensuring we remain within our harvest constraints and are able to consider offering additional fisheries moving forward.” 

The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee, which forecasts and monitors salmon and steelhead returns to the Columbia River, has not yet provided a run-size update on the upriver spring Chinook run. That update typically occurs in mid-May.

Managers will continue to monitor the run and assess the potential for additional opportunities, Lothrop said.

Spring Chinook fishing remains open in the Snake River, Drano Lake, and a number of tributaries below Bonneville Dam. Anglers should check WDFW’s emergency rules page before heading out. Permanent rules can be found in the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.