Chinook fishing season opens on Snake River Saturday

Fall chinook fishing season will be allowed in the Snake River Aug. 18 through Oct. 31. Daily limit will be six for adult hatchery chinook and jack chinook 12 inches or longer. Washington licensed anglers must cease fishing for salmon and steelhead once their adult daily limit for either has been retained.

Species affected: Fall chinook salmon and steelhead.

The Snake River from the mouth, Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge, to the Oregon State line, approximately seven miles upstream from the mouth of the Grande Ronde River, will be open.

The 2018 Columbia River forecasted return of upriver bright adult chinook is 200,100. A significant portion of these fish are expected to return to the Snake River.

Retention of hatchery fall chinook is not expected to increase impacts to ESA-listed wild fall chinook. Therefore, adult hatchery chinook and jack chinook over 12 inches may be retained.

The fishery is open seven days per week. Adipose fin-clipped fish must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All adult chinook and steelhead with unclipped adipose fins must be immediately released unharmed.

Low returns of steelhead have been predicted for the Snake River and tributaries for this return year, their numbers will be monitored as the season progresses. Anglers should continue to check emergency regulations for changing seasons. In addition, anglers are reminded to refer to the 2018/2019 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other rules and regulations.