Attention, fishing enthusiasts – the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced the opening dates for spring Chinook salmon fishing along portions of the Snake River, setting the stage for what could be an eventful season. From May 7, anglers can cast their lines below Little Goose Dam on Tuesdays and Fridays, while below Ice Harbor Dam, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the days to bait your hooks, all starting the first week of May.
The coveted catch here are the Chinook salmon, a species marked by a mix of excitement and regulations as the WDFW seeks balance between recreational opportunities, and conservation efforts. The minimum size is set at 12 inches, but anglers are limited to a daily bag of four hatchery Chinook – and to note, no more than one of those can be an adult. Plus, don't even think about using anything but barbless hooks, and keep in mind, there's a strict night closure in effect.
According to the WDFW's emergency regulations, this year's forecasted return of upriver spring Chinook salmon is rich enough to allow these fishing windows, satisfying policy C-3630 and adhering to the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement, which provides the needed Endangered Species Act coverage. Those itching to hit the river should note the forecasts earmark a pre-season allocation of 493 fish for recreational fishery on the Snake River.
But it's not a free-for-all; there are rules. Anglers can only keep adipose fin-clipped Chinook with a healed scar where their fin once was, let the unclipped ones go folks – that's the law. And when it comes to handling these aquatic trophies, don't pull any salmon or steelhead out of the water unless you plan to put it on your stringer as part of the daily limit.
As with all things fish and wildlife, the situation is as fluid as the river itself. The WDFW warns that the fishery could close any time if harvest levels reach a certain point, if there are too many unintentional encounters with endangered species, or if the in-season run needs an adjustment. Therefore, if you've got your tackle ready for a run at the spring Chinook in the Snake River, stay sharp and keep checking those emergency rules.
