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Sockeye fishing curtailed in Upper Columbia; weak run expected

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Katlynn, 6, holds a sockeye caught by her sister Mckayla, 10, on a family fishing trip with their father, Omak guide Jerrod Gibbons on the Columbia River near Brewster on July 1, 2015. (Rich Landers)

Katlynn, 6, holds a sockeye caught by her sister Mckayla, 10, on a family fishing trip with their father, Omak guide Jerrod Gibbons on the Columbia River near Brewster on July 1, 2015. (Rich Landers)

FISHING -- Portions of the upper Columbia River near the Tri-Cities will be closed to sockeye fishing because of forecasts for a weak run, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says.

While other fishing will be allowed, the closure to sockeye retention will be in effect June 16 through Aug. 15, 2016, in these stretches: 

  • Area 1:  Columbia River from Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge at Richland near Columbia Point (CRC 534). Daily limit of three (3) salmon, of which no more than one (1) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.
  • Area 2:  Columbia River (Hanford Reach) from the Interstate 182 Bridge to Priest Rapids Dam (CRC 535 and 536). Daily limit of four (4) salmon, of which no more than two (2) may be adult hatchery chinook. Release wild adult chinook and sockeye.

Reason for the restrictions, according to WDFW:

The pre-season forecast for upper Columbia River sockeye salmon is only for about 102,000 fish returning to the river mouth. This run abundance is insufficient to support sockeye harvest in the upper Columbia River and meet spawning escapement goals in the Wenatchee and Okanogan basins. Achieving a successful sockeye spawn in 2016 is extremely important following the massive mortality and poor spawning escapement of upper Columbia sockeye caused by the drought and high water temperatures in 2015.

Other information: Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and must have a current Washington fishing license, as well as a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE).

Anglers may fish with two poles with the Two-Pole Endorsement, except for sturgeon.

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