Chinook Limit Decreased To One Adult In Hanford Reach Section Of Columbia

Anglers limited to one adult fall chinook in the Hanford Reach

Action: Reduces the daily limit to one adult fall chinook from the Highway 395 Bridge (Pasco/Kennewick) upstream to Priest Rapids Dam. Prohibits retention of coho salmon.

Effective dates and locations:

• Sept. 15 through Oct. 31, 2018 from Hwy. 395 Bridge (Pasco/Kennewick) to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers

• Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2018 from the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers to Priest Rapids Dam.

Species affected:  Fall chinook and coho.

Location: Highway 395 Bridge (Kennewick/Pasco) upstream to the Priest Rapids Dam.

Reason for action: The upriver bright fall chinook escapement goal for the Hanford Reach is 31,100 adult chinook. Fall chinook and coho salmon are returning to the Columbia River well below the forecast. Reduction of the daily limit to one adult fall chinook will provide anglers the opportunity to continue to harvest available fall chinook salmon and still meet conservation goals for escapement of upriver bright fall chinook in the Hanford Reach.

Closure of retention of coho in the Hanford Reach fishery will contribute in efforts to meet hatchery coho broodstock collection and escapement targets destined to return to upper Columbia River tributaries.

Additional information: The daily limit is six salmon with up to one adult fall chinook. Release all coho and sockeye. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit is retained.

Information contact: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284.