Salmon run misses mark

Chinook fishing on the Snake River will end after Friday, more than a month ahead of the original closing date, state fish and wildlife officials announced Tuesday.

Game agent John Whalen said mid-season run numbers through the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams on the Columbia showed a much smaller Chinook run than anticipated.

Game officials originally forecast a run of 470,000 salmon. The actual run is now expected to be 340,000.

Washington Fish and Wildlife opened four new fishing areas on the Snake River this year. The season opened April 24 and was supposed to run through June 30.

Whalen said good ocean conditions the last two years led to increased salmon spawning. He was unsure if the department would allow another Chinook season on the Snake next year.