Warrior Rock-Bonneville Stretch Of Lower Columbia Reopening For Chinook, Hatchery Coho

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Oregon and Washington fishery managers have decided to re-open a portion of the mainstem Columbia River to retention of fall Chinook and hatchery coho effective this Saturday, Sept. 11. 

The open area extends from the Warrior Rock line upstream to fishing deadlines at Bonneville Dam, except Camas Slough (Columbia River waters north of Lady Island) remains closed to angling for, and retention of salmon and steelhead through Sept. 30. 

Anglers may retain up to two adult salmon, only one of which may be a Chinook and only hatchery coho may be retained.  All steelhead must be released through Oct. 31. All other permanent regulations apply.

Last week, the States closed the recreational salmon fishery from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam due to the fishery’s high impacts to lower Columbia River (LCR) natural-origin tule fall Chinook. This ESA-listed Chinook stock returns to various tributaries of the Columbia River, primarily downstream of Bonneville Dam.

A recent review of coded-wire tag data from prior years indicates the majority of LCR tule impacts in this river section (Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam) accrue by mid-September, so after the brief pause, fishery managers felt comfortable with this reopening.

The mainstem Columbia River from Tongue Point upstream to Warrior Rock remains closed at this time since LCR tule Chinook are present in this area until later in the season. Fishery managers are in the process of evaluating options to re-open this river section.

For more information about Columbia River seasons, including regulation updates, visit the Recreation Report at MyODFW.com, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone