WDFW River Fishing Rule Change Notices

[Marc Martyn]

Updates from WDFW Rule changes for rivers will be posted here.


In order to keep the postings up and front, the thread will be locked so only news updates will be posted. If you want to discuss these rules, please start a separate thread on the River Forum.....Marc

[Marc Martyn]

Daily limit for adult spring chinook
on Deep River modified as of March 1

Action: Modifies the adult chinook daily bag limit in Deep River when the adjacent mainstem Columbia River is open for adult spring chinook retention.

Species affected: Spring chinook

Location: Deep River from mouth to town bridge (Wahkiakum Co.):

Effective date: March 1 through June 15, 2011

Daily bag limit: The Deep River hatchery adult chinook daily limit will be the same as the adjacent mainstem Columbia River during those days when the mainstem Columbia River is open for adult chinook retention. When the adjacent mainstem Columbia River is closed for adult chinook retention the Deep River hatchery adult salmon daily limit will revert to permanent rules.

Reason for action: The hatchery adult chinook daily limits will match when each area is open concurrently.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

[Marc Martyn]

Columbia River spring chinook
sport fishing season set for 2011

[Note: These fishing rules were outlined in a news release sent Feb. 8, 2011.]

Action: Sets fishing regulations for spring chinook on the mainstem Columbia River

Species affected: Spring chinook, steelhead and shad.

Location #1: The mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to Rooster Rock - bank and boat angling allowed.

Location #2: The mainstem Columbia River from Rooster Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam - bank angling only. Rooster Rock boundary description: A true North/South line projected from Rooster Rock on the Oregon shore to the Washington shoreline

Effective date: March 1 - April 4, 2011: fishing for salmonids and shad is allowed

Daily bag limit: Daily salmonid limit is 6 fish (hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than two may be adult chinook or steelhead, and no more than one may be an adult chinook. Release all wild chinook and wild steelhead.

Location #3: Tower Island power lines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to Oregon/Washington border plus the Oregon and Washington banks between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines.

Effective date: Fishing for salmonids allowed March 16-April 24, 2011.

Daily bag limit: Daily salmonid limit 6 fish (hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than two can be adult chinook or steelhead or one of each. Release all wild chinook and wild steelhead.

Additional rules:

1.) Effective immediately until further notice: On the mainstem Columbia River below Bonneville Dam, anglers may not possess in the field fish mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined until the angler has reached their automobile or principle means of land transportation and has completed their daily angling.

2.) Effective through at least April 30, 2011, all angling is prohibited from a line between the upstream end of Sand Island, located east of Rooster Rock State Park on the Columbia River, to a marker on the Oregon shore, downstream to a line between the lower end of Sand Island and a marker on the Oregon shore.

3.) Effective through June 15, 2011: For the mainstem Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the Oregon/Washington border, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.

Reason for action: Harvestable numbers of salmon are available based on the forecasts and associated management agreements

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.