More Springer News: NF Nooksack, Umatilla Opening, Cascade Closing To All Fishing Just Sun.-Mon.

By Andy Walgamott May 24, 2021 HEADLINES 0 Comments

THE FOLLOWING ARE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICES AND AN OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE NEWS RELEASE

North Fork Nooksack River to open for hatchery spring Chinook

Action: Opens a section of the North Fork Nooksack River to hatchery spring Chinook fishing and retention.

Effective date: May 29 through June 30, 2021.

AN ANGLER WORKS THE NORTH FORK NOOKSACK FOR SPRING CHINOOK DURING LAST YEAR’S FIRST RECREATIONAL FISHERY FOR THE STOCK ON THE RIVER IN MORE THAN SIX DECADES. (PATRICK MORRISON, WDFW)

Species affected: Hatchery spring Chinook.

Location: North Fork Nooksack River (Whatcom Co.), from the Hwy. 9 Bridge to the yellow marker at the upstream side of Kendall Hatchery.

Rule: Salmon: Min. size 12”. Daily limit 2. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect.

Reason for action: The hatchery spring Chinook forecast is sufficient to allow in-river harvest opportunity.

Additional information: The fishery will be actively monitored and may close earlier if the total encounters agreed to under the 2021 North of Falcon season setting process are reached. Anglers are asked to cooperate with creel personnel collecting catch information.

Hatchery Chinook are identified by a clipped adipose fin with a healed scar.

Information contact: Mill Creek Regional Office, 425-775-1311

Portion of Cascade River to close two days per week

Action: Closes a section of the Cascade River to all fishing on Sundays and Mondays.

Effective date: June 1 through July 15, 2020.

THE FISHING REGS LIST THE CASCADE AS CLOSED TO ALL FISHING ON SUNDAYS, MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS, BUT UNDER AN EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM WDFW, IT WILL ONLY BE CLOSED SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS WHEN ANGLING OPENS IN JUNE. AN ANGLER FIGHTS A FISH ON A NORTH CASCADES RIVER. (FISHING PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY BY ADAM PEREZ)

Species affected: All species.

Location: Cascade River (Skagit Co.) from the mouth to Rockport-Cascade Rd. Bridge.

Reason for action:  This section of the Cascade River will close to all fishing to avoid gear conflicts with treaty fisheries scheduled weekly on those days.

Additional information: This section of the Cascade River will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays under the gear and harvest rules outlined in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Information contact: Mill Creek Regional Office, 425-775-1311.

Umatilla River basin spring Chinook fishing reopens May 25

PENDLETON, Ore. – The temporary regulation closing angling for and retention of spring Chinook in the Umatilla River basin has been removed and the fishery reopens May 25.

Angling for and retention of spring Chinook salmon in the Umatilla River and tributaries is open as listed in the 2021 permanent regulations. For the Umatilla River and tributaries, the catch limit is two adult and five jack hatchery spring Chinook salmon per day. All wild Chinook salmon must be released unharmed.

Managers have seen a higher than predicted return of both wild and hatchery spring Chinook salmon to the Umatilla River basin. Last month, the adult return was not expected to meet the need for broodstock to continue hatchery operations, therefore, harvest was prohibited and a temporary closure was in place.

For the latest regulations and other fishing opportunities in Northeast Zone, visit: https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/northeast-zone

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Andy Walgamott