Tribal salmon sales to begin soon

NORTH BONNEVILLE — Tribal fishermen will begin direct-to-the-public sales of summer chinook and sockeye salmon soon in three locations in the Columbia River Gorge.

The locations are at North Bonneville, Marine Park in Cascade Locks, Ore., and at Celilo village east of The Dalles, Ore.

Commercial fishing by the four treaty tribes in the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day pools of the Columbia River began this morning.

The tribes have an initial allocation of 19,000 summer chinook and 5,000 sockeye. Allocations are adjusted in-season as the run size forecast is updated.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission says sales generally occur between 10 a.m. and dusk, the price is determined at the point of sale, most sales are cash only, buyers should request a receipt and buyers should bring a cooler packed with ice.

The tribes are scheduled to fish from 6 a.m. today through 6 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m. Monday though 6 p.m. June 23 and 6 a.m. June 27 through 6 p.m. June 30.

The public is urged to call the salmon marketing program at 888-289-1855 to find out where the day’s catch is being sold.