OLYMPIA – With catches lower than expected in March and early April, the recreational spring Chinook salmon fishery on the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam will see four additional days of fishing, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced Tuesday.
The stretch of river from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam, which was previously scheduled to close to salmon fishing on April 7, will now be open through April 11.
“Conditions so far this spring have been less than ideal for fishing,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “Continued cold weather and water has kept catch rates low, so we feel comfortable offering this extended spring fishing opportunity.”
Managers will continue to monitor spring Chinook returns and catch rates and announce additional changes if needed. The spring Chinook fishery from Bonneville upstream to the Oregon/Washington border opened April 1 and is scheduled to run through May 6.
For full fishery details and regulations, see the emergency rule change at WDFW’s website. Permanent regulations can be found in the 2022-23 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
To receive regulation updates and other information via email, subscribe to Columbia River fishery notices at WDFW’s website.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.