Spring Chinook run downgraded
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met Monday to review the upriver spring Chinook run size.
Based on the available data and the range of evidence discussed, TAC downgraded the upriver spring Chinook run size from 167,700 to 116,500 adult fish expected to return to the Columbia River mouth.
Spring Chinook fishing reopens on Columbia
Recreational fishermen will get another chance to go after spring Chinook salmon in the Columbia River under seasons adopted this week by fishery managers from Oregon and Washington.
Below Bonneville Dam, the season will open Friday, and continue through June 6. The open area is from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to Beacon Rock, for both boat and bank anglers, plus bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline.
Above Bonneville Dam, the season will also open Friday but continue through June 15. Boat and bank angling will be allowed from the Tower Island Power Lines about six miles below The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam). Downstream of Tower Island, salmonid angling is restricted to bank angling only.
The seasons were approved after fishery managers reviewed early season catches and an updated run forecast that showed 116,500 upriver spring Chinook are expected to return to the river mouth.
Pacific halibut open seven days a week
The Pacific halibut nearshore sport fishery in the Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Pt., Wash. to Cape Falcon) will open seven days per week starting May 24.
The all-depth fishery closed with approximately 700 pounds remaining on the quota. That is not enough to open for additional all-depth days so that remaining quota has been transferred to the nearshore fishery, allowing the additional days per week to be open. The nearshore fishery will be open until the revised quota of 1,217 pounds is harvested, or Sept. 30, whichever comes first.
