Summer steelhead restrictions already being considered by Columbia-Snake fish managers
FISHING -- Steelhead fishing could go the way of this year's weak spring chinook seasons and be severely curtailed, according to Columbia River system fish managers.
Very low summer returns of steelhead are expected to the Columbia and Snake rivers.
The East Oregonian reports the low returns could mean restrictions are coming for Northwest anglers.
A total run of 131,000 steelhead is expected to the Columbia River, said Tucker Jones, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Columbia River program manager.
Fisheries managers are considering a plan that would close steelhead retention downstream of The Dalles Dam during the entire month of August; between The Dalles and John Day dams during the month of September; and from John Day Dam to the Oregon-Washington border during October and November.
