Fall chinook fishing limits liberalized in upper Columbia

FISHING — The bounty of salmon moving upstream and over Priest Rapids Dam has prompted fish managers to give anglers more chance to harvest fall chinook starting Saturday in the upper Columbia River.

Here are the details just posted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Actions: Liberalize chinook salmon rules for the mainstem Columbia River upstream from Priest Rapids Dam.

Species affected: Chinook salmon

Effective date: Oct. 17 through Nov. 30, 2015

Location: Mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
.
General rules and daily limits:

•    Six chinook salmon (with or without an adipose fin), of which only three may be adult chinook. Release coho salmon.
•    Minimum size 12 inches.
•    Selective gear rules, except bait allowed.
•    Night closure upstream of the powerlines crossing the Columbia River approximately ¾ mile downstream of Wells Dam.

Reason for actions: More than 60,000 chinook, primarily from the Hanford Reach fall chinook hatchery programs, have passed Priest Rapids Dam and 25,000 have passed Rock Island Dam. The fishery is designed to remove excess hatchery fall chinook from the Upper Columbia River Basin. The population is not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Other information: Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that rivers can close at any time due to impacts on natural origin steelhead.