UPDATED 10:30 a.m. with new, conflicting information about the big early sockeye returns:
FISHING -- Portions of the upper Columbia River near the Tri-Cities will be closed to sockeye fishing because of forecasts for a weak run, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says.
While other fishing will be allowed, the closure to sockeye retention will be in effect June 16 through Aug. 15, 2016, in these stretches:
- Area 1: Columbia River from Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge at Richland near Columbia Point (CRC 534). Daily limit of three (3) salmon, of which no more than one (1) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
- Area 2: Columbia River (Hanford Reach) from the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam (CRC 535 and 536). Daily limit of four (4) salmon, of which no more than two (2) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
Reason for the restrictions, according to WDFW:
The pre-season forecast for upper Columbia River sockeye salmon is only for about 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth. This run abundance is insufficient to support sockeye harvest in the upper Columbia River and meet spawning escapement goals in the Wenatchee and Okanogan basins. Achieving a successful sockeye spawn in 2016 is extremely important following the massive mortality and poor spawning escapement of upper Columbia sockeye caused by the drought and high water temperatures in 2015.
The agency is holding onto this forecast for now even though early returns of sockeye are high, according to this report for Joe Hymer, WDFW salmon specialist in Vancouver:
Through June 5, a total of 3,409 sockeye have been counted at Bonneville Dam, the highest count through that date since at least 1938 (previous record was last year with 1,949 fish). Last year’s total return (512,500 fish) was the 3rd largest run since at least 1938 (record is 648,361 fish in 2014). Through June 5, 2014, just 489 sockeye had been counted at the dam.
The pre-season forecast is for 101,600 to return to the mouth of the Columbia this year. Will this year’s actual return beat the pre-season forecast? Will we set a new record? Typical peak counts at Bonneville Dam are around July 1. Stay tuned……
Other information: Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and must have a current Washington fishing license, as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE).
Anglers may fish with two poles with the Two-Pole Endorsement, except for sturgeon.
