Snake River spring chinook season will have limited openings for 2019

  WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE   Snake River spring chinook fishery to open two days per week   Action: Spring chinook salmon fishery opens two days per week (Saturday and Sunday) beginning May 11, 2019 in sections of the Snake River.  Effective date:  May 11, 2019 until further notice. Species affected: Salmon. Locations:  A)  Below Little Goose Dam:  The Snake River …

Skykomish River set to open for Hatchery Chinook

  WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE     The Skykomish River to open May 25 to fishing for hatchery chinook salmon   Action:  The Skykomish River will open to fishing for hatchery chinook salmon on May 25 (the Saturday before Memorial Day) to coincide with the gamefish season.  Effective dates:  May 25 through July 31, 2019. Species affected:  Hatchery …

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement no longer required beginning July 1st

  OLYMPIA – Anglers who fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin will no longer be required to purchase an endorsement to do so beginning July 1. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has collected an $8.75 annual fee – known as the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement – …

Third weekend opening planned for Columbia River spring chinook fishery below Bonneville Dam

  OLYMPIA – For the third weekend in a row, a section of the lower Columbia River will reopen for two days of recreational spring chinook salmon fishing beginning Saturday, state fishery managers announced today. The initial spring chinook fishing period from Bonneville Dam downriver to Warrior Rock closed at midnight Wednesday, April 10, then …

WDFW and Corp work to restore vital salmon habitat on the Duckabash River

  OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward with a 38-acre estuary restoration project on Hood Canal. Estuaries in Puget Sound and Hood Canal are critical habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed chum and Chinook salmon, a key prey of southern resident killer …

Dam “Spill” Expected to Boost Columbia River Salmon and Benefit Orcas

  More spring Chinook may return as adult salmon in a few years thanks to a new agreement negotiated by federal agencies, states, and tribes to test an innovative dam operation plan. Some estimates indicate that the new operation may produce an additional 10,000–60,000 adult spring Chinook per year. While adult salmon returns will also …

Another brief opening planned for Columbia River spring chinook fishery below Bonneville Dam

Photo courtesy of Columbia River Fishing Guide Buddy Dupell   OLYMPIA – A section of the lower Columbia River will again reopen for two days of recreational spring chinook salmon fishing beginning Saturday, April 20, state fishery managers announced today. The initial spring chinook fishing period from Bonneville Dam downriver to Warrior Rock closed at …

ODFW Commission adopts Pacific halibut and ocean salmon regulations

  SALEM, Ore.—The Commission adopted Pacific halibut and ocean salmon regulations at a meeting today in St Helens. Catch limits set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission are 25 percent higher this year. Under 2019 regulations, the Columbia River Subarea all-depth fishery will change from every Thursday, Friday and Sunday to specific dates. The Central …

ODFW Fish Screening Task Force meets in Salem April 19th

  SALEM, Ore. – Oregon’s Fish Screening Task Force will meet Friday, April 19, at ODFW Headquarters in Salem, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE. The meeting will be held from 9am to 5pm, and is open to the public. The agenda includes updates on the Fish Screening Program, project development and funding, an overview of project …

WDFW announces razor clam dates ahead of Long Beach Razor Clam Festival; Asks beachgoers to avoid snowy plovers

  OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can return to various ocean beaches for a three-day opening beginning Saturday, April 20 and extending through Earth Day, April 22. State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig on morning low tides after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe …