States close Columbia River salmon, steelhead seasons

Published 8:14 am Thursday, October 20, 2016

ILWACO — Recreational salmon and steelhead fishing will close Saturday on the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 bridge near Pasco.

The closure by Oregon and Washington state fishery managers is based on the latest fall Chinook run forecast, which is tracking at 71 percent of the preseason forecast of 579,600 Chinook. Coho salmon and steelhead returns have also been revised downward.

Fishery managers estimate that combined non-treaty fisheries have exceeded the allowed harvest limit on Upriver Bright Chinook. The recreational coho salmon and steelhead seasons are also closed, to prevent any additional Chinook mortalities that might be the result of incidental bycatch.