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Upper Columbia & Tributaries To Open For Chinook Retention

Areas of the upper Columbia River and select tributaries to open for Chinook salmon retention

Action: Opens salmon seasons.

Effective date: July 16, 2019

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Salmon rules by dates and location:

1. Columbia River: From the upstream line of Rocky Reach Dam to the boundary markers 400 feet below the spawning channel discharges (on Chelan County side) and the fish ladder (on Douglas County side) at Wells Dam:

  • Effective July 16 through Oct. 15, 2019.
  • Daily limit 6 Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. No more than 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained in daily limit. Release wild adult Chinook, sockeye, and coho.
  • Use of barbless hooks is voluntary. Anglers may fish with two poles with a valid Two-Pole Endorsement.

2. Entiat River: From the mouth (railroad bridge) to the boundary markers located approximately 1,500 feet upstream of the upper Roaring Creek Road Bridge (immediately downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery):

  • Effective one hour before official sunrise on July 16 to one hour after official sunset on Sept. 30, 2019.
  • Daily limit 6 Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. Release sockeye and coho.
  • Night closure in effect. Use of barbless hooks is voluntary.

3. Chelan River: From the mouth (railroad bridge) to the Chelan PUD safety barrier below the powerhouse:

  • Effective one hour before official sunrise on July 16 to one hour after official sunset on Oct. 15.
  • Daily limit 6 Chinook. Minimum size 12 inches. No more than 2 hatchery adult Chinook may be retained in daily limit. Release wild adult Chinook, sockeye, and coho.
  • Night closure in effect. Anti-snagging rule in effect. Use of barbless hooks is voluntary.

Reason for action: Forecasts of hatchery summer Chinook to Entiat and Chelan Falls hatchery programs indicate broodstock needs will be met and surplus hatchery Chinook are available for harvest. Removal of summer Chinook in the Entiat River will also help achieve conservation objectives for spring Chinook on the spawning grounds.

Additional information: WDFW will be monitoring harvest closely and may close one or more areas in-season by emergency rule if necessary. For emergency rule updates, please visit https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.

Information contact: Travis Maitland, District 7 Fish Biologist, 509-665-3337; Chad Jackson, Region 2 Fish Program Manager, 509-754-4624, ext. 250

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