Jennie@ifish
04-03-2002, 07:17 PM
For Immediate Release April 3, 2002
Spring Chinook Angling Opportunities Expand near The Dalles
PORTLAND - Fishery managers decided today to expand spring chinook angling opportunities in five miles of the Columbia River upstream of Bonneville Dam near the The Dalles starting Saturday.
Officials from Washington and Oregon opened this area of the river after reaching agreement on enforcement concerns.
Anglers may fish for spring chinook from the Tower Island power lines upstream to the existing fishing area boundary below The Dalles Dam. The daily catch limit is two adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead. The new season lasts from April 6 through May 15, or until the Columbia River spring chinook quota is reached.
Earlier this year, salmon and steelhead seasons were set for the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam and between The Dalles and McNary dams. All portions of Bonneville Reservoir remained closed because many hatchery spring chinook returning to Washington tributaries that empty into the reservoir are not distinguishable from wild fish. As a result, anglers fishing the Wind River and Drano Lake may legally harvest spring chinook with an intact adipose fin. However, Columbia River fishing regulations allow the retention of only adipose fin-clipped salmon to protect wild fish returning to spawn in the Upper Columbia and Snake River.
Officials opened the five-mile stretch near The Dalles this week once satisfied that the distance between the Washington fishing areas and The Dalles was large enough to resolve the potential regulations conflicts.
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Anne Pressentin Young
Acting Administrator, Information & Education Division
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Spring Chinook Angling Opportunities Expand near The Dalles
PORTLAND - Fishery managers decided today to expand spring chinook angling opportunities in five miles of the Columbia River upstream of Bonneville Dam near the The Dalles starting Saturday.
Officials from Washington and Oregon opened this area of the river after reaching agreement on enforcement concerns.
Anglers may fish for spring chinook from the Tower Island power lines upstream to the existing fishing area boundary below The Dalles Dam. The daily catch limit is two adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead. The new season lasts from April 6 through May 15, or until the Columbia River spring chinook quota is reached.
Earlier this year, salmon and steelhead seasons were set for the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam and between The Dalles and McNary dams. All portions of Bonneville Reservoir remained closed because many hatchery spring chinook returning to Washington tributaries that empty into the reservoir are not distinguishable from wild fish. As a result, anglers fishing the Wind River and Drano Lake may legally harvest spring chinook with an intact adipose fin. However, Columbia River fishing regulations allow the retention of only adipose fin-clipped salmon to protect wild fish returning to spawn in the Upper Columbia and Snake River.
Officials opened the five-mile stretch near The Dalles this week once satisfied that the distance between the Washington fishing areas and The Dalles was large enough to resolve the potential regulations conflicts.
###
Anne Pressentin Young
Acting Administrator, Information & Education Division
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife