FISHING -- A clarification has been posted on the Snake River stretch involved in reduced steelhead catch limits resulting from dismal returns to the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Here's the revised info from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Action: The hatchery steelhead daily limit is reduced to one (1) hatchery steelhead consistent with all other downstream steelhead fisheries.

Effective dates:  September 15 - December 31, 2016  

Species affected:  Hatchery steelhead

Locations: 

1) Columbia River from McNary Dam upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco.

2)  Snake River from the confluence with the Columbia River upstream to the railroad bridge between Burbank and Pasco. 

Reason for action:  The total (hatchery and wild fish) forecast for the Upper Columbia River (UCR) steelhead passage at Priest Rapids Dam this year is much less than expected.  UCR steelhead are listed as an ESA Threatened stock. Passage projections are well below broodstock and natural escapement targets.

Reducing the daily steelhead bag limit now, rather than in November as scheduled, will provide additional conservation measures intended to increase the number of natural spawners.  Reduced bag limits in downstream mainstem Columbia River fisheries began August 1 downstream of Bonneville Dam and September 1 downstream of McNary Dam. 

All other regulations published in the fishing pamphlet continue to apply to the fishery affected by this rule change.