Gear up for Columbia River’s huge summer salmon runs
SALMON FISHING -- Here's the latest word on the huge salmon runs forecast to run up the Columbia River this summer, just posted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:
Upper Columbia Summer Chinook
- The 2012 forecast of 91,200 adults to the Columbia River mouth is 113% of the 2011 return of 80,600 adults, and would represent the highest return since at least 1980.
- Based on the 2012 forecast, daily counts at Bonneville Dam are expected to average about 2,900 Chinook per day during June 16-30 and then steadily decrease to 500 fish per day by the end of July. Passage is typically 50% complete by June 28.
Sockeye
- The 2012 forecast for sockeye is for a record return of 462,000 fish to the Columbia River mouth. The forecast includes 28,800 Wenatchee stock, 431,300 Okanogan stock, and 1,900 Snake River stock.
- Bonneville Dam passage through June 11 totals 9,562 sockeye, which is the highest to date since at least 1974 and consistent with the forecast. The 50% passage date is around June 24, but has been as late as July 1.
Summer Steelhead
- A total of 380,300 upriver summer steelhead are expected to pass Bonneville Dam this year, which is similar to the 2002-2011 average of 383,700 fish. Lower river summer steelhead returns have averaged 78,500 fish over the past ten years.
- Bonneville Dam passage during April 1-June 11 totals 4,336 summer steelhead, which is slightly less than expected based on the forecast and average run timing. The 50% passage date is around June 18 for upriver Skamania stock.