Clackamas, Ore — State fishery officials met today and decided to close the mainstem Columbia River summer Chinook recreational salmon fishery from Bonneville Dam to the Oregon/Washington Border at 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 2. The fishery was originally scheduled to continue through July 31.

“The recreational summer Chinook catch below Priest Rapids has exceeded the allocation set aside for this fishery” says John North, ODFW Columbia River Fisheries Manager.  “Unfortunately, this action was necessary to reduce the effect on other fisheries and remain as close as possible to management objectives developed for this fishery.”

The mainstem Columbia River summer Chinook season from Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam will close as scheduled on June 30. During the summer seasons, the Oregon daily bag limit for adult salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead is two fish in any combination. Retention of non-adipose fin clipped Chinook (adults and jacks) is allowed during this fishery. Once the summer fishery closes, catch limits for Chinook jacks and steelhead remain in effect as per permanent regulations. 

Fish managers set the Columbia River summer Chinook fishery based on the number of fish expected to return from the ocean, escapement needs, and harvest allocation agreements for Treaty and non-Treaty fisheries.

As a reminder, the Lower Columbia River white sturgeon recreational fishery downstream from Wauna powerlines will close as scheduled at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 4.  Until the season closes, the retention of white sturgeon is allowed seven days per week with a 45-inch minimum size limit in effect.

Additional information may also be found on ODFW's Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OSCRP/CRM/action_notes.html