WDFW expands chinook zones along Snake

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife last week announced expanded spring and summer chinook fishing on the Snake River. The fishing area was expanded to capture an unusually high return of chinook this year.

Game agent John Whalen said the agency predicts a return of 470,000 upriver spring chinook this year, with nearly 200,000 hatchery chinook anticipated in the Snake River.

The agency put in four new chinook fishing areas.

The first extends seven miles upstream from the south Highway 12 bridge to the restriction zone below Ice Harbor Dam.

The second extends from just downstream of the mouth of the Tucannon River upstream nine miles to the Corps boat launch above Little Goose Dam on the south shore.

The next runs about six miles from Casey Creek past Boyer to the restricted area below Lower Granite Dam.

The fourth area stretches 19 miles from the Blyton Landing Boat Launch along the river road to the boat dock behind the Clarkston Quality Inn.

The Ice Harbor area opened Tuesday, while the other three open Saturday. Season for all four areas ends June 30.

Fishers can take two adult chinook and four jacks per day, making sure they catch only spring chinook with clipped adipose fins. The exception is that only one jack and one adult can be bagged at “the Wall” walkway area by the juvenile bypass return pipe at the south shoreline of Little Goose Dam.