Chinook season to open April 1 downstream of Wallula

WALLULA — The Columbia River spring Chinook salmon fishing season will open between The Dalles and Wallula will run from April 1 through May 6.

The opening follows the March 1 to April 7 opening downstream of Bonneville Dam, and it comes with a larger spring run forecast than last year.

According to the state Department of Fish and Willdife, the agency expects 198,600 Chinook to return to the Columbia River this spring. That's higher than the 10-year average of 150,485 salmon and more than last year's 185,209 return.

"We're still watching some stocks closely to make sure we're achieving our conservation goals, and those may have an impact on opportunity as we track and update the runs throughout the season," fisheries manager Ryan Lothrop said, noting that includes the natural-origin Chinook returning to the Snake River and the upper Columbia.

From March 1 through April 7, fishermen may catch Chinook downstream of Bonneville Dam.

Fishermen may catch six fish daily, no more than one adult Chinook may be caught. The minimum size is 12 inches.

Fisheries managers said shad can also be retained without a daily limit or minimun size.

From April 1 through May 6, the season opens from the Tower Island power lines six miles below The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Wallula.

Fishermen may catch 6 salmon, with no more than 1 adult Chinook. The minimum size is 12 inches.

Fisheries managers have set a season catch-keep limit of 845 fish during the season above Bonneville Dam.