New salmon rules for Columbia take effect Aug. 1

New salmon rules go into effect for the lower Columbia River Aug. 1, when the fall salmon season begins from Buoy 10 upstream to the Bonneville Dam.

Fishing for chinook salmon in the lower Columbia is expected to be good again this year, said the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s Columbia River harvest manager Cindy LeFleur.

“We are anticipating a total return of more than 671,000 fall chinook salmon to the Columbia River this year, which is significantly higher than the average over the past 10 years,” LeFleur said.

Fishing rules for the Buoy 10 line upstream to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line include a two-fish daily limit, no more than one chinook and all sockeye, chum and wild coho must be released.

From Rocky Point/Tongue Point to the Bonneville Dam, anglers are allowed to keep six salmon a day with a minimum size of 12 inches. No more than two adult salmon can be retained, only one of which can be an adult chinook. All wild coho, sockeye and chum salmon must be released.

Public input sought

The WDFW is seeking help from hunters, conservation groups and the public to shape the state’s hunting seasons for 2006-2008.

Dave Ware, WDFW game division manager, said the department has already compiled a list of more than 90 proposed issues from staff and through the Game Management Advisory Council.

The Wildlife Program will provide regular updates on the hunting season-setting process on http://wdfw.wa.gov/. To be added to the mailing list, call (360) 902-2515.