Spring Chinook Season Set!!!!!

[Antlershed]

February 12, 2009

Columbia River spring Chinook seasons

Action:

1. Area 1: The mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to Hayden Island power lines (west towers).

2. Area 2: The mainstem Columbia River from Hayden Island power lines (west towers) upstream to Bonneville Dam.


3. Area 3: The mainstem Columbia River from the Tower Island power lines in Bonneville Pool upstream to McNary Dam, plus the Washington bank between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines.

Effective dates: 1. Area 1: Effective March 1 through March 15, fishing for salmon, steelhead or shad is open 7 days per week. March 16 through April 18, fishing for salmon, steelhead or shad is only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The daily salmonid bag limit is 6 fish, no more than 2 adult salmon or steelhead or one of each of which no more than one may be a Chinook adult. Release wild Chinook and wild steelhead.

2. Area 2: Effective March 1 through March 22, fishing for salmon, steelhead or shad is open 7 days per week. March 23 through April 22, fishing for salmon, steelhead or shad is only open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The daily salmonid bag limit is 6 fish, no more than 2 adult salmon or steelhead or one of each of which no more than one may be a Chinook adult. Release wild Chinook and wild steelhead.


3. Area 3: Effective March 16 through April 30, fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad is open 7 days per week. The daily salmonid limit is 6 fish, no more than 2 adult salmon or steelhead, or one of each. Release wild Chinook and steelhead.

Species affected: Chinook salmon, steelhead, shad.

Location: The mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to McNary Dam.

Other Information: The fisheries are being set initially for March and April seasons. Seasons after April are expected to occur and will be determined at a later date. For the mainstem Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery upstream of the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line effective February 15 through June 15, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.

Reason for action: Hatchery spring Chinook are available for harvest and mark-selective rules provides for protection of wild fish.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

[fc2038]

Thanks for the update

[HawkenBob]

Hopefully the waters warm for cathlamet. If they dont this year Im staying in zone 2.

Thanks for the update Brent. At least you lower river guys get a season.

[Antlershed]

Yep, I will start down there, but if the conditions aren't right, I will move to zone 2 very quick.

[HawkenBob]

Ill trade ya info as the season rolls on...

[Antlershed]

You've got my number...

[wackmaster]

Who wants to go I am getting layed off till around apirl

[MuleySniper]

 
Time to start watching the dam counts!
MS

[fc2038]

Yup. I cannot wait. Hope it is going to be good.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

man they screwed us good............

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Yup, less days with a bigger return.
Guess i will be using more vacation this spring than i planned on using.

[GEARHEAD]

have never fished springers, but have fished the fall kings infront of chinook. does anybody ever fish springers infront of chinook, or is it usually closed.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Most people start fishing for springers up near cathlamet.

[HawkenBob]

With the limited days it will put a damper on the guides. I have fridays off so look out here I come! 

The quota will last longer now as the 60000 guides on the Big C wont be hammering it all week. Plus they will be able to keep up on the numbers better. We didient get allot of snow pack, hopefully cathlamet has warmer waters in early to mid March.

Im stoked for this season.

Gearhead, traditionally most start near Cathlamet. But Youngs bay has a net pen program that comes back earlier. And its open. Deep river and the Grays also have runs, and I believe that whole area E of Tounge pt is open. Also were the river necks down, Altoona. They get a few there too. Just about every lower river trib on Oreo side has a net pen program too. These are waht the commercials target but there open little side fisheries for all. You will need an Oreo licence to fish that sides tribs, but the mouths of these tribs are holding areas and open to both licences.

There is allot of hidden little fisheries down there near cath. Get out and explre a bit if the bites slow in the terminal areas.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

lets also hope the water warms a bit, springers dont hit herring to great when the water is below 40, although they do hit spin-glos