March 22-24 on salmon fisheries in sections of Columbia and Snake rivers

[Ridgeratt]

The WDFW is meeting to set the Springer season the next 3 days;


March 17, 2016
Contact: Chris Donley, (509) 891-1001 Ext. 307
 John Easterbrooks, (509) 457-9330
 Jeff Korth, (509) 754-4626 Ext. 224


 


 Meetings set for March 22-24 on salmon fisheries
 in sections of Columbia and Snake rivers   

 



OLYMPIA – Anglers have three opportunities in March to meet with state fishery managers to talk about salmon fisheries in the mid- and upper Columbia River and lower Snake River before this year's seasons are set.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled three public meetings to discuss pre-season forecasts and upcoming spring, summer and fall fishing seasons – particularly those for salmon upstream from McNary Dam.

Those meetings are as scheduled:
•Clarkston: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 22, Walla Walla Community College, Clarkston Campus Auditorium, 1470 Bridge St., Clarkston
•Kennewick: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 23, Benton PUD Auditorium, 2721 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick
•Wenatchee: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 24, Chelan PUD, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee

These meetings are part of the salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon, which involves representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries. Additional public meetings have been scheduled through early April to discuss regional fisheries.

Final salmon fishing seasons are scheduled to be adopted at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting April 8-14 in Vancouver, Wash.

A meeting schedule, salmon forecasts and information about the salmon season-setting process for Puget Sound, the Columbia River and the Washington coast are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/northfalcon/

The proposed dates are that the season will be open Friday/ Saturday at Ice Harbor and the open Sunday/ Monday for the fishery at Goose and Clarkston.  This was/is the proposal being brought forth from the regional Bio.
 
The Head Bio for Region 1 Chris Donley is requesting that the Bio alter the dates to a Thursday/ Saturday fishery for Ice Harbor and the a Sunday/ Tuesday fishery for Goose and Clarkston. This means for those who fish it a down day at both areas.

I encourage any one who is wanting to fish this contact Chris Donley and express your opposition to his suggestion.

The WDFW web sites states the number to Donley is  (509) 891-1001 Ext. 307
But I also have  another number that is  {509} 892-1001 Ext. 307

If you can attend one of these presentation's let your voice be heard.
 

[Daytonite]

I attended the Clarkston meeting last night, and Mr. Donley heard loud and clear that the fishing days need to be consecutive.  It was a well attended meeting, now we can only hope that they follow through with what the people they represent expressed.

[Dhoey07]

If they keep the springer season the way it has been the last two years, they will not be getting my CRSSE money this year. 

[Daytonite]

The plan presented last night is that Ice Harbor will be open Fri/Sat and Little Goose/Clarkston will be open Sun/Mon with a 1 adult and unknown jack limit.  Prior to a run update, the Snake River is only allowed ~1000 fish.  If the run comes in as predicted it will go to ~1400 fish for the Snake

[Dhoey07]

That's too bad. 

[Ridgeratt]

I attended the Clarkston meeting last night, and Mr. Donley heard loud and clear that the fishing days need to be consecutive.  It was a well attended meeting, now we can only hope that they follow through with what the people they represent expressed.

Daytonite Thank you for the update. I do hope that C Donley listens to the sportsman's voice.

[Daytonite]

Well, after the meeting in Kennewick last night, it now sounds like Ice Harbor will be Sun/Mon and Little Goose and Clarkston will be Fri/Sat.  The tone at the Clarkston meeting was they would rather have Fri/Sat and the tone last night was Ice would rather have Sun/Mon. 

[Ridgeratt]

Do we have an idea on when the season will be posted?

[Daytonite]

No, but my guess is about the 15th of April....

[Daytonite]

Well, after the meeting in Kennewick last night, it now sounds like Ice Harbor will be Sun/Mon and Little Goose and Clarkston will be Fri/Sat.  The tone at the Clarkston meeting was they would rather have Fri/Sat and the tone last night was Ice would rather have Sun/Mon.

Even though this is what the anglers voiced, it now sounds like WDFW is flip-flopping the days per week so Ice Harbor will be Fri/Sat and Little Goose and Clarkston will be Sun/Mon.  Gotta love WDFW

I don't think anyone will know for sure (including those people responsible for setting or monitoring the seasons) until a news release comes out.