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+--- Thread: Yakima River spring chinook fishery extended through July 15 (/showthread.php?tid=515093)
Yakima River spring chinook fishery extended through July 15 - FishNews - 07-08-2009
Action: Open the "Middle Reach" of the Yakima River to continue fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon.
Effective date: July 1 through July 15, 2009<br />
Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon, trout and other game fish<br />
Location: Yakima River from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap upstream to the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge approximately 500 feet downstream of Roza Dam.<br />
Reason for action: River flow and turbidity conditions continue to improve for fishing as the snowmelt runoff declines. Due to the late Columbia River spring chinook run timing, significant numbers of Cle Elum Hatchery chinook adults and jacks are still in this section of river downstream of Roza Dam and are available for sport harvest. Most natural/wild chinook have migrated into the Naches River and above Roza Dam, reducing the potential catch of salmon that must be released.<br />
Other information:<br />
"¢ For the duration of this salmon fishery, the upper "closed water" boundary line is moved upstream to the railroad bridge downstream of Roza Dam to provide additional opportunity to harvest hatchery chinook.<br />
"¢ Daily limit of two (2) hatchery chinook. Minimum size - 12 inches. Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. Wild salmon (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.<br />
"¢ Special Gear Restriction for all species - Only one, single (point), barbless hook with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less is permitted. Use of bait is allowed. The new "Selective Gear Rules" requirement (prohibiting use of bait) is temporarily suspended during the salmon fishery for all species.<br />
"¢ Night closure in effect for all species.<br />
"¢ Fishing for steelhead remains closed. All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20" in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.<br />
"¢ Closed to fishing for all species 400 feet upstream from the upstream side of the Yakima Ave./Terrace Heights Rd. bridge in Yakima, including the area adjacent and downstream of the Roza Wasteway No. 2 fish barrier rack next to Morton & Sons, Inc.<br />
Information contact: Jim Cummins, Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9316 (Yakima), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).