Chinook Salmon by Chuck Young, USFWS
ENTERPRISE, Ore. – Anglers may retain only one wild Chinook as part of the three adult daily bag limit for fall Chinook salmon per day when the season opens on the Snake River tomorrow, Aug. 18. All other permanent regulations remain unchanged.
ODFW is adjusting regulations for the 2026 fall Chinook salmon season in the Snake River due to a lower‑than‑average forecast for wild fall Chinook returns. The change is intended to keep harvest within federally‑mandated limits to protect both Chinook and steelhead fisheries later in the year.
“We’re looking at a smaller return of wild fall Chinook this year, and that means we need to be cautious,” said Kyle Bratcher, ODFW District Fish Biologist. “By tightening the retention of wild adults, we stay within ESA impact limits and help ensure we have enough allowable take to keep our popular steelhead fisheries open.”
While steelhead anglers may not be purposefully targeting fall Chinook, some catch is expected and an adequate left-over take allowance is necessary to cover those incidents.
“Anglers depend on these fisheries throughout the fall, and protecting wild Chinook now is key to keeping steelhead seasons viable,” Bratcher continued. “These steps allow us to maintain opportunity while upholding our conservation responsibilities.”
Though fall Chinook season opens Aug. 18, Bratcher doesn’t expect catch rates to pick up until further into fall when more fish arrive.
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