FISHING -- The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River will open to fishing for sockeye salmon on Friday, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department has just announced.

Here are the details:

Action:  Open the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River to the retention of sockeye salmon.

Effective date:   12:01 a.m. June 21 through July 31, 2013.  

Species affected:  Sockeye salmon.

Locations:  From Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam.

Reason for action:  The run of upper Columbia River sockeye returning to the Wenatchee River and the Okanogan River is sufficient to support the anticipated low level of harvest in the Hanford Reach below Priest Rapids Dam.

Other information:  The daily limit remains six (6) salmon, including sockeye and hatchery chinook only, but no more than two (2) adult hatchery chinook may be retained.

Anglers 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.