Salem, Ore — Due to strong returns of spring chinook in the Snake River, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the opening of a spring chinook fishery below Hells Canyon Dam from April 26 to as late as July 20.

This section of the river will be open to sport fishing seven days a week from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam. The daily bag limit will be three adult adipose fin-clipped spring chinook per day. Two fin-clipped jack chinook may be retained in addition to the adult bag limit.

“The department expects over 124,000 thousand hatchery spring/summer chinook to migrate over Lower Granite Dam in 2008,” said Rhine Messmer, ODFW recreational fisheries program manager.

“These fish are more than what we need for broodstock purposes, and we expect several thousand of these hatchery fish to return to the base of Hells Canyon and be available for sport harvest,” he said.

Fishing must be with barbless hooks in order to reduce potential impacts on wild fish, and for consistency with Idaho regulations. Otherwise, general statewide angling regulations regarding gear restrictions, legal angling times and fishing methods apply.

The decision to open the chinook fishery to sport fishing was made by ODFW and Idaho Fish and Game, who co-manage the fisheries on the Snake River.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.