Washington’s Snake To Close For Steelhead, Even C&R

By Andy Walgamott June 23, 2020 HEADLINES 0 Comments

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Snake River to close to fishing for steelhead

Action: Closes the Snake River to fishing for and retention of steelhead.

CONCERN HAS SHIFTED FROM NOT JUST LOW RETURNS OF B-RUN STEELHEAD BACK TO THE SNAKE SYSTEM BUT SMALLER A-RUNS THIS YEAR, LEADING TO A CLOSURE OF ALL FISHING FOR SUMMER-RUNS IN THE WASHINGTON SIDE OF THE RIVER. SOPHIA WITHROW, THEN SIX, CAUGHT THIS ONE OFF WAWAWAII DURING MUCH BETTER TIMES. (FISHING PHOTO CONTEST)

Effective date: July 1, 2020 until further notice

Species affected: Steelhead.

Location: From the mouth of the Snake River (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to the Idaho/Oregon state line.

Reason for action: The 2020 Columbia River forecasted return for upriver steelhead is 95,500 (85,900 A-index and 9,600 B-index).

Similar to the last couple of years, steelhead returns are predicted to be low in 2020. Previous closures have been focused on B-index steelhead, but there is also an extremely low forecast for A-index steelhead in 2020. Pre-season concerns for both A-index and B-index groups of fish (wild and hatchery origin) have led WDFW to close this fishery until further notice.

Additional information: WDFW will continue to monitor steelhead returns and will make decisions in late summer or early fall on how to proceed with Snake River steelhead fisheries as fish begin to return through the lower Columbia River.

Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.

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Andy Walgamott