SALMON FISHING -- The fishing season for chinook and coho salmon will be extended in the lower Hanford Reach of the Columbia through Oct. 31, the Washignton Fish and Wildlife Department has announced.

 The extension affects the sport salmon fishery in the Columbia River between the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco and the wooden power line towers at the old Hanford townsite.

The season previously was set to end Sunday.

Read on for details.

Other information: Daily limit is six (6) salmon; up to two (2) adults may be retained.  Anglers cannot continue to fish for jack salmon once the adult limit is retained.  Both hatchery and wild (adipose clipped and unclipped) fall chinook and coho can be retained during this fishery.                          

This action allows anglers to continue to harvest fall chinook and coho through Oct. 31 from the Hwy. 395 Bridge to the old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers (Lower Hanford Reach).  This action will allow anglers an additional nine days of fishing for salmon in this area of the Columbia River. 

Reason for action:  Based on the Hanford Reach Fall chinook Harvest Management Plan, the 2011 fall chinook return to the Hanford Reach is sufficient to allow additional harvest in the terminal sport fishery.  The current in-season estimate for the fall chinook return to the Hanford Reach is 72,904 adults. 

Information contact:  Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license. Check the current WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet or the Fishing section of the WDFW webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/  for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500; press 2 for recreational rules; call the Shellfish Rule Change hotline, (360) 796-3215, or toll free 1 (866) 880-5431.