A variety of opportunities for the public to participate in setting state-managed salmon fishing seasons for 2021 have been scheduled by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The process begins with an annual salmon forecast meeting on Feb. 26, which is just one of a dozen scheduled virtually as part of each year’s salmon season discussions.
State fishery managers will consider input from anglers, commercial fishers and others interested in salmon as they work with tribal co-managers to craft this year’s fisheries.
The WDFW will present initial salmon forecasts derived by WDFW and tribal fisheries biologist analysis from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26.
WDFW and tribal forecasters use a suite of scientific data, including watershed sampling and monitoring, ocean indicators, and previous year returns, to predict the number of salmon and steelhead that will return to Northwest waters, and how many fish will be available for harvest.
The public can also participate in the process by submitting comments online beginning in early March at www.wdfw.wa.gov/management/north-falcon/public-input.
A full timeline of the process and a public meeting schedule is available at the WDFW’s North of Falcon public meeting schedule page https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/management/north-falcon/public-meetings.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council will discuss preliminary options for ocean fisheries during its March 2-5 and 8-11 meeting and is expected to adopt final ocean fishing seasons and harvest levels at its April 6-9 and 12-15 meeting. More information on these virtual meetings is available at https://www.pcouncil.org/.
FISHING REPORT
Fishing reports for waters in southwest Washington, including the Columbia River and tributaries as reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Feb. 16.
Always check the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing for the latest fishing rules and regulations as seasons can change or close quickly if necessary.
Updates
Salmon/Steelhead: Columbia River mainstem
Buoy 10 upstream to the Interstate-5 bridge — Through March 31 the daily limit is six with up to two adult salmon or two hatchery steelhead or one of each. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.
I-5 bridge upstream to The Dalles Dam — Through March 31 the daily limit is two hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
The Dalles Dam upstream to Highway 395 bridge at Pasco — Through March 31 the daily limit is one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
Sturgeon: Columbia River mainstem
Columbia River, from Buoy 10 upstream to John Day Dam including adjacent tributaries — Catch and release only. Fishing for sturgeon at night is closed.
Columbia River, John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam — White sturgeon open for retention fishing until annual quota is met. Minimum size is 43-inch fork length, maximum size 54-inch fork length. Daily limit is one, and annual limit is two fish. Catch and release allowed when closed to retention. Fishing for sturgeon at night is closed.
Fishery reports
Salmon/Steelhead: Columbia River mainstem
Woodland — One bank anglers had no catch.
Longview — Four bank anglers had no catch.
Salmon/Steelhead: Columbia River tributaries
Cowlitz River from Interstate-5 bridge downstream — 41 bank rods had no catch.
Above the I-5 bridge — Four bank rods kept two steelhead; six boats/21 rods kept one steelhead.
Sturgeon
John Day Pool — One bank angler had no catch; four boats/11 rods had no catch.
Walleye
John Day Pool — Seven boats/10 rods kept nine walleye and released four.
Recent trout plants
Klineline Pond, Feb. 9 — 1,498 cutthroat, 2.47 fish/pound from Skamania hatchery.
Battle Ground Lake, Feb. 9 — 1,498 rainbow, 2.47 fish/pound from Skamania hatchery.
