[ODFW-News] Mainstem Columbia River angling regulation change rescinded effective Friday, Oct. 1

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: Information and Education 503-947-6025	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  
	

For Immediate Release	Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2004

Mainstem Columbia River angling regulation change rescinded effective
Friday, Oct. 1 

PORTLAND - Oregon and Washington fishery managers met today and decided
to rescind the previously adopted October 1 chinook closure for the
mainstem Columbia River recreational fishery from Tongue Point upstream
to Bonneville.  The extension of the season was made possible by several
run size upgrades over the last ten days.  The estimated return of
upriver bright fall chinook is now 358,000 fish compared to the
preseason expectation of 287,000 fish.  The increased run size has
translated into additional fishing opportunity.

The fishery will remain open for chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho, and
adipose fin-clipped steelhead through the end of the year with a two
fish daily bag limit only one of which may be a chinook. 

Columbia River anglers are estimated to have caught approximately
17,800 chinook through the end of September with an expected additional
catch of 1,000 chinook for October through December.  

"Pre-season, we implemented the one-chinook daily bag limit to
increase the chances that the fishery would remain open through
September," said Curt Melcher, a biologist with the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife. "The one-chinook bag limit got us through
September, and the recent run size updates will allow the fishery to
remain open through the end of the year."  

Oregon anglers are reminded of the following regulations:

* Salmon fishing from the Rocky Point-Tongue Point line to Bonneville
Dam remains open for chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho and adipose
fin-clipped steelhead through Dec. 31.  The daily bag limit is two fish
but not more than one may be a chinook.
* The Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to the
Oregon-Washington border opened Aug. 1 for fall chinook, coho and
adipose fin-clipped steelhead through Dec. 31. The daily bag limit
includes two adult salmon and five jack salmon.

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