Snake River spring chinook fishery to open May 9
Action: A portion of the Snake River will open for chinook fishing May 9, 2007.
Location: From Texas Rapids boat launch upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat launch approximately 1 mile upstream of Little Goose Dam on the south bank of the Snake River.
Dates: May 9, 2007 through June 30, 2007
Hours: Seven (7) days per week. Fishing hours per day are 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset.
Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon
Reason for action: There are sufficient numbers of hatchery origin fish, within allowable limits for potential impacts upon wild fish, to open this Snake River fishery.
Other Information: Fishing open seven days per week. Night closure is in effect. The salmon daily limit will be 1 hatchery (adipose clipped) chinook only, with a minimum size of 12 inches. The adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All chinook with the adipose fin intact, and all steelhead, must be immediately released unharmed.
In addition, anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for all species in these areas of the Snake River during the salmon fishery. For this fishery it shall be unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8 inch (point of hook to shank). Anglers cannot remove any chinook from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit. Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2007/2008 Fishing in Washington sport fishing rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc. Angler catch rates will be monitored closely and Snake River salmon fisheries may be closed prior to June 30 based upon on-going harvest quota evaluations.
