FISHING -- A coho fishing season will open on the “middle” Yakima River on Wednesday, Oct. 22, -- for both hatchery and wild fish, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department has just announced.

Location: From the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap to the “closed water” line 3,500 feet downstream of Roza Dam.

Reason for action:  A record return of coho salmon is returning to the upper Yakima River with more than 15,000 counted passing Prosser Dam through Oct. 20. Yakama Nation and WDFW biologists agree that a harvestable surplus is available to provide this sport fishing opportunity.

Other information:

• Daily limit of two (2) coho (wild or hatchery)
• Barbless hooks are required (single-point or multiple-point allowed)
• During this fishery, the “Selective Gear Rules” prohibiting use of bait and knotted nets is temporarily suspended.
• Night closure in effect.
• Fishing for trout and other gamefish closes on Oct. 31 by permanent rule.
• Fishing for steelhead remains closed.  All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20” in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.
• A Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this salmon fishery.
• Fishing from boats equipped with an internal combustion motor (ICM) is allowed only from the I-82 Bridge at Union Gap to the east-bound (upstream) I-82 bridge at Selah Gap. Boats with an ICM may be used for “transportation only” upstream of the Selah Gap Bridge.
• Closed to fishing year-round for all species 400 feet upstream from the upstream side of the Yakima Avenue/Terrace Heights Road bridge in Yakima, including the area adjacent and downstream of the Roza Wasteway No. 2 fish barrier rack next to Morton & Sons Inc.