Fishing Forum

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Managers Set Spring Chinook Harvest Dates, Numbers; Upriver Interests Urge Go-Slow Approach On Early
Posted on Friday, January 31, 2014 (PST)
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[font "Times New Roman"]Annual lower Columbia River management of sport harvest of spring chinook salmon in 2014 will mirror recent strategies despite pleas from upriver interests, including treaty tribes and the state of Idaho, that early season catch be reined in to assure the escapement of more early season fish to seed spawning grounds and fuel hatcheries.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The primary controlling factor for spring fishing managements on the Columbia River along the Oregon-Washington border early each season is the preseason forecast for returns of “upriver” spring chinook to hatcheries and spawning areas upstream of Bonneville Dam (river mile 146) in the Snake River basin and upper Columbia. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The preseason forecast this year is for a return of 227,000 adult upriver spring chinook salmon to the mouth of the Columbia at the Pacific. That compares to a 2013 actual upriver return of 123,100 and leaves a harvest guideline of 10,157 upriver fish for the sport fishery downstream of Bonneville Dam prior to the time when the run-size forecast can be updated based on actual fish counts at Bonneville. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The non-tribal sport and commercial fisheries, as well as tribal fisheries, are managed, principally by the states of Oregon and Washington to prescribed limits intended hold down the take of the wild portions of the run that are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The upriver run includes protected Upper Columbia spring chinook and Snake River spring/summer stocks.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]On a run of this year’s estimated size, the non-Indian fisheries are allowed to have a 2 percent impact on the upriver spring chinook run; treaty tribes that fish primarily in Columbia hydro system reservoirs upstream of Bonneville can take a number of adult spring chinook up to 10 percent of the predicted return to the mouth of the Columbia. If the run-size updates are upgraded, both tribal and non-Indian shares increase; likewise a downgrading of the run forecast would result in management cutbacks in the allowed take.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Given the relative uncertainty about the run-size in midwinter, the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife are managing fisheries to hold harvest to 70 percent of the preseason allocations until run-size estimates can be updated. The first update typically takes place in late April or, as in most recent years, in early May. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Meanwhile, the spring chinook sport fishing season for the lower Columbia downstream of the Portland-Vancouver Interstate 5 bridge opened Jan. 1 under permanent rules. The season adopted Wednesday by ODFW and WDFW representatives will take effect March 1 and is expected to extend through April 7.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The recreational harvest guideline is a result of an increase in the recreational share of allowed ESA impacts for spring chinook; the share is 70 percent this year compared to 60 percent available to the recreational fishery in 2013.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]This increase in the sport fishing allocation is part of the lower Columbia River fisheries management framework recently adopted by the states. Beginning in 2017, the sport fishing allocation for spring chinook will increase to 80 percent under the new management framework.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Oregon and Washington officials met Wednesday in Vancouver to set the rules for the initial fisheries of 2014. The ODFW’s Tony Nigro and WDFW’s Guy Norman met as the Columbia River Compact, which sets tribal and non-Indian commercial fishing seasons, and as a joint sport fishing panel. On the Compact Nigro and Norman represent the directors of their respective agencies on the Compact.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]During the meetings the state officials took testimony from sport and commercial fishers, tribes and state officials.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]As they have in past years the tribes and state of Idaho have encouraged a “start slow” approach to fisheries in the lower Columbia so that more of the early returning stocks might escape upriver in the Columbia and to the Snake and so that overall harvest sharing could be spread more equitably up and down the river system.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Ed Schriever, chief of fisheries for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, told the Oregon and Washington officials that the buffering strategy was appreciated, given the fact that “overly optimistic forecasts” can lead to excessive harvests in the lower river if actual returns fall short of forecasts.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]“However, it has proven less effective in shifting the magnitude of harvest from the early part of the fishery to more of a balanced across the spectrum of the spring management period,” Schriever said.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Early arriving stocks that originate from Idaho, for example, can be thinned considerably in early lower Columbia fisheries, leaving few fish for Idahoans to harvest, and fewer fish of that earlier arriving life history to feed into wild and hatchery gene pools.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Rapid River Hatchery in Idaho alone contributes about 11 percent of the spring chinook smolt migration that ultimately has provided, over the past five years, 30 percent of the total sports and commercial harvest in the lower Columbia River.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Bruce Jim likewise encouraged Oregon and Washington to manage lower Columbia spring chinook fisheries so that harvest impacts are more spread out across the season, which typically starts in late winter and stretches to June 15.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]“This ensures that harvest impacts are spread out among the different stocks instead of just targeting early returning fish,” said Jim, a member of the Fish and wildlife Committee of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. He testified on behalf of the four Columbia River treaty tribes represented by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, the Warm Springs, Umatilla, Yakama and Nez Perce.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]“The tribes support focusing early mainstem sport and commercial fishing downstream of the mouth of the Willamette River,” said Jim. “This will distribute impacts on all spring chinook stocks, not just upriver stocks. Minimizing fishing effort between Portland and Bonneville early in the season will help ensure fish can pass Bonneville with a minimum of delay.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]“The states have until June 15 to catch their share of the upriver spring chinook and there are opportunities to catch spring chinook in the mainstem from the mouth up to Lower Granite Dam” on the lower Snake River, Jim said.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Claudeo Blancho of southeast Idaho’s Shoshone-Bannock Tribes said he would like to see lower Columbia River harvests spread out over a longer period of time rather than being allowed to catch the bulk of that area’s allowance during the first month of the season.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]“Compact decisions directly affect upriver harvest,” Broncho said. The Shoshone-Bannock do not sell fish as do lower Columbia tribes but depend heavily on the salmon for subsistence.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The Oregon-Washington management framework aims to shift the practice of gill-netting – the primary means of commercial harvesting in recent history -- to off-channel areas where few wild, protected fish are encountered.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The states calculate that more of the wild spring chinook caught in gill-nets die, despite the requirement that they be released, than fish caught and released from angler hooks.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Starting March 1, anglers fishing downriver from Bonneville Dam may retain one marked, hatchery-reared adult spring chinook per day. The sport fishery will close in that area on two Tuesdays - March 25 and April 1 - to accommodate potential commercial fisheries.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Anglers fishing above the dam along the Oregon-Washington border will also have a one-fish daily catch limit for hatchery adult spring chinook during a season scheduled March 16 through May 9. That one-chinook limit has been instituted this year in hope of prolonging the overall season since a limited number of fish can be taken.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]In recent years previously the limit had been two chinook on the mainstem upstream of Bonneville. The fishing area above Bonneville Dam extends to a point 17 miles above McNary Dam, where the Columbia turns north into Washington.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Barbless hooks are required in both areas, and anglers must release any salmon or steelhead not visibly marked as a hatchery fish by a clipped adipose fin. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Ron Roler, Columbia River policy manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said this year's spring chinook fishery looks promising, noting that the initial seasons could be extended if enough fish are available for harvest. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]"The stage is set for a great fishery this year," Roler said. "Not only is the run forecast well above average, but the light snow pack makes it unlikely that anglers will have to contend with high, turbid water as they have in some years." [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Based on pre-season projections, 308,000 adult spring chinook will return to the Columbia River Basin this year, including 227,000 upriver fish.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Under this year's initial catch guidelines, anglers fishing below the dam will be allowed to catch up to 12,400 spring chinook before an updated run forecast is released in late April or early May. Another 1,325 adult upriver chinook will be reserved for anglers fishing between Bonneville Dam and the Washington/Oregon state line. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Spring chinook fishing is currently open on a daily basis from Buoy 10 near the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to the Interstate 5 Bridge. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Under the new rules, the fishery for boat and bank anglers will expand upriver to Beacon Rock on March 1, with bank fishing also allowed from Beacon Rock upriver to the fishing boundary just below Bonneville Dam. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Above the dam, the fishery will be open to boat and bank anglers on a daily basis from March 16 through May 9 between the Tower Island powerlines (six miles below The Dalles Dam) and the Washington/Oregon state line. Bank anglers can also fish from Bonneville Dam upriver to the Tower Island powerlines during that time. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The new fishing regulations for spring chinook and white sturgeon will be posted on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/rulechanges/ by the end of the day Jan. 30. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Anglers are reminded that a Columbia River Basin Endorsement is now required for all anglers with an Oregon license when fishing for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon in the Columbia River Basin.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The following is a summary of recreational fishing seasons:[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Chinook Salmon[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Prior to March 1, permanent rules, as outlined in the 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, remain in effect.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]From March 1 through April 7, boat fishing will be allowed seven days per week from Buoy 10 upstream to Beacon Rock. Bank fishing will be allowed during the same timeframe from Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam. The recreational fishery will be closed on March 25 and April 1 (Tuesdays) to allow for potential commercial fisheries.[size 3] [/size]This fishery will be managed to the available guideline of 10,157 upriver spring Chinook and may be shortened or extended depending on catch and effort.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped adult salmon or steelhead in combination, of which no more than one may be a Chinook. The rules also allow retention of up to five adipose fin-clipped jack salmon per day in Oregon.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the Oregon/Washington border[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Effective March 16, this area will be open to retention of adipose fin-clipped Chinook through May 9. Fishing for salmon and steelhead from a boat between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines, approximately six miles downstream from The Dalles Dam, is prohibited. [/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Bank fishing is allowed throughout this area.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]This fishery will be managed to the available guideline of 1,354 upriver spring Chinook and may be shortened or extended depending on catch and effort.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped adult salmon or steelhead in combination, of which no more than one may be a chinook. The rules also allow retention of up to five adipose fin-clipped jack salmon per day in Oregon.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The one chinook bag limit upstream of Bonneville Dam is new for 2014. It was adopted with the support of various angler groups in order to extend the fishing season.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Select Areas[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Permanent fishing regulations for recreational harvest in Oregon waters within Youngs Bay and Blind Slough/Knappa Slough are listed in the 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Effective March 1 through June 15, on days when the mainstem below Bonneville Dam is open to recreational chinook harvest, the daily salmonid bag limit will be the same as mainstem Columbia bag limits. On days the mainstem Columbia is closed to chinook retention, the permanent bag limits for Select Areas will apply.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Willamette River[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]On the Willamette River, the spring chinook forecast is 58,700 fish. This is slightly more than last year’s actual return of 47,300 and will allow for a full Chinook retention season as described under permanent regulations.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The Willamette River remains open to retention of adipose fin-clipped adult Chinook salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead seven days a week.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]The bag limit on the Willamette below Willamette Falls is two adipose fin-clipped Chinook. Above the falls, one additional adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be retained under regulations for the combined salmon/steelhead bag limit.[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Steelhead/shad[/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"]Effective March 1 through May 15, the mainstem Columbia River will be open for retention of shad and adipose fin-clipped steelhead ONLY during days and in areas open for retention of adipose fin-clipped spring chinook. Beginning May 16 permanent rules resume as listed in the 2014 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.[/font]
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I heard about it yesterday. I tried to not let it ruin my day.
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So what does this actually mean? They get too keep more fish below the Dam?
Matt
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Don't effect me, they killed the twin falls runs years ago. Need to start killing sea lions. This will drive up the price of cat food and down the income of the tribes. Nuclear is a renewable.
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They dont get to keep more fish per say. They just once again chose to ignor the facts that the majority of the early run is heading to ID. SO they set the season to allow up to 70% of thier seasons quota to be caught while that portion of the run is moving through the lower river. THEN they get to finnish thier quota on the remainng 1/3 of the run.
As it said in the acticle just the Rapid river run along can produce 30% of the lower river catch in most years. I would love to see the numbers for the clearwater drainage thrown in there also. If ID could get the lower river compact to half that it would significantly increase the number of fish returning to ID.

I wish ID would sue to get a voting seat on the council. Its totaly ridiculous that they dont have a actual vote. They produce close to 1/2 the spring run every year. Most years 1/2 or less of the predicted river mouth return to ID actually makes it TO Lower Granite. On actual big return years its not really an issue, but you never really know what your getting. They way its set up the lower river gets the majority of thier quota befor anyone even really knows what the run is gunna be like. Just stupid
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well shit im gonna have to go catch them there sounds like that is retarded. any of ya wanna go with me??
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So frustrating............ Wouldn't it be hilarious if Idaho threatened to discontinue hatchery plants of spring chinook. That would have OR and WA begging for mercy........
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I don't think Idaho should spend one dime on any fish that leaves the state . We have no control after they do . Seals , gill nets stretched across most of the river , mother nature .
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Maybe Idaho needs to mark our fish by punching a hole in their tail or something. []
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What good would that do ?
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Or Idaho could just not clip any fish. Oh well I don't fish for these any way. I have never wanted to do the combat fishing thing and the thought of camping on a rock for a week doesn't sound fun.
I will keep on fishing for Cats and Sturgeon and not worry about the fight with Salmon and Steelhead. Although I bet they would make good bait.[]
Ron
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OR and WA please just fall into the ocean would solve a lot of problems. Idaho and the tribes need to take it to court and get a say in what happens to the Idaho fish. We shall see how many fish show up. Getting tired of the we raise you catch em' philosophy between Idaho and the other states. See you guys on the river in April or May.
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I never gave a thought before that what happens down stream effects what happens up stream as far as the Chinook season. I saw this last week and now not exactly sure what to think.

[url "http://magicvalley.com/lifestyles/recreation/large-chinook-run-set-to-rumble-through-salmon-river/article_423d75fb-315b-5586-9e25-922e6c99e4d0.html#.UurL4iIwTHE.email"]http://magicvalley.com/lifestyles/recreation/large-chinook-run-set-to-rumble-through-salmon-river/article_423d75fb-315b-5586-9e25-922e6c99e4d0.html#.UurL4iIwTHE.email[/url]
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Avery I believe that the great lakes do something similar to this. and you can only keep fish with no marking "wild", or with your states marking.
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I dont want to open another can of worms...but i would rather have a great catch and release chinook season every year than have a harvest season once every four years. I agree with ron..dont clip the adopose fins and then the oregon/washington folks have to release our fish, providing more fishing oppertunity upriver. Maybe my logic is backwards. Then again..maybe not.
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unfortunately in Oregon and Washington during most of the season you are allowed to keep wild fish. so that wouldn't do a bunch as far as that is concerned I went out on a boat in the mouth of the Colombia last fall and I was there a week after the season changed to where you could only keep hatchery but before that I was any fish 2 fish of each species. and here is another 2 beautiful wild Chinook salmon caught in Oregon.
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Canada and the US have been having this fight for years. The only real solution is cooperation between all parties involved in the resource. If everyone is really concerned with saving the salmon, which I doubt, then they need to work together.

PACIFICSALMONTREATY
The United States (U.S.) and Canada signed the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) in 1985 to address
interception of salmon originating in one nation by the fisheries of the other nation. The PST was
necessary to conserve and manage Pacific salmon stocks (in areas of Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon,
Yukon Territory and British Columbia) to ensure sustainable fisheries and optimum production of
salmon.

http://yukonsalmon.org/what-we-do/yukon-...agreement/
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From a monetary perspective the WA and ORE depts of fish and game have a lot of revinue to gain from fish they didn't raise. Lets face it tons of folks love catching and eating springers which generates liscense and tag dollars for the respective states. WA and ORE are seeing massive cutbacks in their respective hatchery programs but its ok for them to generate $$$ on fish passing through that they didn't put any effort into. Bunch of crap IMHO..........
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The only thing I can see being an effective and logical solution to this is for sportsmen to step up and start letting the fish and game know our concerns for our fish. Go to your local fish and game meetings and say something. If enough of us voice our opinions about the subject it will force them to address the situation. I'm not saying it will be the results we want but they will have address it eventually.
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I believe if the Tribes put there foot down. It would more then likely make things happen. The Indian Nation carries more weight than most.

Without their help. Business as usual...

Idaho
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