Well, I trailered down to PortCo boat launch (between I-5 & 205) this morning and got to spend 45 minutes in line (from 6:00 to 6:45 am) because we got there late -- made me appreciate my own slip back at Kalama. With some creative parking we hit the water pretty quickly and then got a call on the cell phone from a buddy who was fishing the same area and had caught a nice plump 12-14 lb. Spring Chinook yesterday (3-21-08). He saw 20 fish caught yesterday. He said his pump went out (Yamaha 200 hp jet pump, Alumaweld sled) and wanted to join us in the Satisfaction. We revved on down to the I-5 bridge and trolled brined herring off of a 4-5 ft. leader (whole) behind a green or yellow Fishflash spinning flasher and a 4 ft. dropper/lead line with a three way swivel or slider in 25 - 35 ft. deep water, downstream. Weaving in and out of the circus of boats we saw a couple caught. Big jets made the approach to PDX directly overhead (yeah, bonding with Nature). Once the tide started running we anchored up in 30 ft. water and ran a mix of 2 K-14 --- K-16 chrome & chartreuse Kwikfish with sardine wraps as well as 2 whole herring rigs (4 rods). There were 5 springers caught in our hogline of 7 boats, but we didn't get a bite. It is early yet. With three times as many coming up the Columbia this year (269,000) as last year (86,000), they can't all get past me. It opens for 12 days downriver by Kalama starting on Monday. Oh, how nice it is to slip out after work to fish from 4:00 pm until nearly 8:00 within a mile of the port; and next week is Spring Break, so I'll get some whole days in too C.W.
Columbia River Spring Chinook 2008
- Thread starter CW
- Start date
flapbreaker
New member
THanks for the report. I might try it this Friday. We'll see. I don't know if I want to mess with the weekend crowd or not.
Hey Teacher Man CW: Glad to see the excitment of the waters is still running up there. I hope none of your students would nail you for your...parking ideas? Sounds like with the waiting lines at the ramp, it may be time for a trip down south to visit your Father. Hope all is well.
Enjoyed our time in Seattle this year.
Byrdman
Enjoyed our time in Seattle this year.
Byrdman
Well, since the above post I fished a three or four more times for springers in the lower river. At the island across from Kalama I hooked and lost one and had one take down and saw about three or four caught. Got checked for licenses for the first time ever while out on the water by the local fish cops from their jetsled. Nice to be all legal.
I just got back from a two day trip down to Cathlamet, WA. We put the boat up onto a sandbar, the bottom came up pretty fast and the boat came to a halt from 32 mph in about two boat lengths. Sandy, muddy bottom. No damage, glad I didn't have an outdrive sticking down. We floated off with the tide in two hours.
Fishing: out of over a hundred boats, we only saw one net out and two fish hooked. The good news is that it was our net and both were our fish. One stayed on and it was a keeper, about 12 lbs caught on a Kwikfish, chartreuse and chrome with some blue tiger stripe ribs on it with a big sardine wrap and some kind of scent. The WDFW fish checker said our fish had a tag in its head and cut off most of that. My buddy filled out a postcard and he'll get the data on where and when his fish was originally tagged. Kind of neat. The checker said that of the 150 boats he checked, the average was about 3/4 per boat or about one fish for ever 4 rods. They were catching more up at the uppper end of Puget Island. The water was still a chilly 43 degrees with snow not far up on the surrounding hills. We marked many fish on the fishfinder, but they were scooting on past.
Now that the lower river is closed, we'll have to fish above Hayden Island powerlines in Portland. I-5 bridge area is hot right now with their catch rates, especially when trolling herring in 25-35 ft. of water. Kinda odd with the big airline jets flying low overhead on their approach to PDX. I might go on Sunday. Warmer weather will help. C.W.
I just got back from a two day trip down to Cathlamet, WA. We put the boat up onto a sandbar, the bottom came up pretty fast and the boat came to a halt from 32 mph in about two boat lengths. Sandy, muddy bottom. No damage, glad I didn't have an outdrive sticking down. We floated off with the tide in two hours.
Fishing: out of over a hundred boats, we only saw one net out and two fish hooked. The good news is that it was our net and both were our fish. One stayed on and it was a keeper, about 12 lbs caught on a Kwikfish, chartreuse and chrome with some blue tiger stripe ribs on it with a big sardine wrap and some kind of scent. The WDFW fish checker said our fish had a tag in its head and cut off most of that. My buddy filled out a postcard and he'll get the data on where and when his fish was originally tagged. Kind of neat. The checker said that of the 150 boats he checked, the average was about 3/4 per boat or about one fish for ever 4 rods. They were catching more up at the uppper end of Puget Island. The water was still a chilly 43 degrees with snow not far up on the surrounding hills. We marked many fish on the fishfinder, but they were scooting on past.
Now that the lower river is closed, we'll have to fish above Hayden Island powerlines in Portland. I-5 bridge area is hot right now with their catch rates, especially when trolling herring in 25-35 ft. of water. Kinda odd with the big airline jets flying low overhead on their approach to PDX. I might go on Sunday. Warmer weather will help. C.W.
flapbreaker
New member
Thanks for the report. I still need to get out for some springer action. The cold weather has kept me from being as motivated. I wonder what the crowds at the boat ramps are like on the upper part??
mark&diana
New member
The First Mate caught her first Chinook (15 pounder) on the Washington side just upriver from Hayden Island last Saturday (April 5th). Good eats! She was using a chartreuse spinner and we were trolling in about 20 - 22 feet of water. Went out again this past weekend with no luck. It is a bit of challenge maneuvering in and out of all the other boats.
Mark, congratulations to Diana on her first chinook. It may seem like she caught it... but I'm betting that she was the one that actually got "hooked" . I went to your photo album... beautiful boat, beagle and modifications. I hope you took a few digital pics of her fish... post them in your album and put it in this thread. There is a reason those spring chinook cost $35 / lb.... they are the best eating. The fall chinook cost about $7 - 9$ per lb.
I'll be going up above Hayden Island to fish again probably this coming weekend. The next weekend we're going clamming at Long Beach and renting a house out with two other families. The next weekend (April 25-27) I'll be going upstream for springers again during the likely peak of the run. If the Bonneville Dam fish count http://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/HistFishTwo_7day-ytd_Adults.htm is high enough, we'll fish near Drano Lake or Wind River since the limit is two fish per day above the dam. If the counts are lower, we'll fish near where you caught yours. Have you seen any seals or sea lions grab anyone's hooked fish yet? I haven't. If one grabs a fish of yours, the preferred method is to charge the beast with your boat repeatedly, making it dive. It will sometimes make them tire and they release your catch. I've seen it done and tried it, but not yet with personal success.
C.W.
I'll be going up above Hayden Island to fish again probably this coming weekend. The next weekend we're going clamming at Long Beach and renting a house out with two other families. The next weekend (April 25-27) I'll be going upstream for springers again during the likely peak of the run. If the Bonneville Dam fish count http://www.fpc.org/currentdaily/HistFishTwo_7day-ytd_Adults.htm is high enough, we'll fish near Drano Lake or Wind River since the limit is two fish per day above the dam. If the counts are lower, we'll fish near where you caught yours. Have you seen any seals or sea lions grab anyone's hooked fish yet? I haven't. If one grabs a fish of yours, the preferred method is to charge the beast with your boat repeatedly, making it dive. It will sometimes make them tire and they release your catch. I've seen it done and tried it, but not yet with personal success.
C.W.
mark&diana
New member
Thanks C.W. for the comments - we are still rather new to all this but are really enjoying the boat. We've made a few more modifications, including a dinette table/seat extention which I plan to post to the album when I get the chance.
You are right that the First Mate is "hooked" - she's really the 'fisherperson' - I primarily just 'drive' the boat. :wink: I haven't been 'authorized' to release the photo of her first catch - but I'm working on it.
We will be out of town the next couple of weeks - hope to be back on the river end of April.
You are right that the First Mate is "hooked" - she's really the 'fisherperson' - I primarily just 'drive' the boat. :wink: I haven't been 'authorized' to release the photo of her first catch - but I'm working on it.
We will be out of town the next couple of weeks - hope to be back on the river end of April.
It's only getting better. Temps. on Sat. are predicted to be 74 degrees F. The bite and run size will improve. Get the best tasting salmon of your life while you can. C.W.
OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
JOINT STAFF REPORT
WINTER FACT SHEET NO. 12
April 9, 2008
Purpose: Spring Chinook Recreational fisheries update and review
Management guidelines and run forecasts for the 2008 spring season were presented in the Winter Fact Sheet #3 (February 15, 2008)
• The upriver spring Chinook count through April 8 at Bonneville Dam totaled 774 spring Chinook. Based on the recent 10-year average, about 6% of the run has passed by this date.
• Spring Chinook counts over Willamette Falls total 24 fish as of April 7.
• Run sizes cannot be updated until late April for upriver stock and early May for Willamette stock.
• The mainstem Columbia River is currently scheduled to be open for retention of hatchery spring Chinook in the area from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16 through April 30. Retention of hatchery Chinook is also allowed from Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam (with some area restrictions) during March 16 through May 10.
• The area from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hayden Island powerlines was open from March 24-April 4. The estimated catch for this fishery was 3,154 kept and 480 released spring Chinook and 298 kept and 65 released steelhead from 35,000 angler trips. Stock composition based on VSI indicates 86% of the Chinook are of upriver origin, which is slightly higher than expected.
• In the area from Hayden Island upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16-31 catch totaled 2,573 fish kept (371 released). Catch during April 1-6 continued to be high, with a estimated catch of 3,184 Chinook kept (460 released). Total estimated catch (March 16-April 6) for the area from Hayden Island to Bonneville Dam is 5,757 kept Chinook (831 released) and 9 kept steelhead (7 released).
• The combined catch estimate for the lower river recreational fishery through April 6 is 8,900 Chinook kept and 1,300 Chinook released from 64,900 angler trips. Pre-season catch expectations for season totaled 18,000-20,000 fish kept.
• Through April 6, recreational fisheries below Bonneville Dam have used 0.35% impacts, or 35% of the maximum allowable ESA-impacts for these fisheries.
• Based on catch rates and cumulative impacts to date, the sport fishery below Bonneville is tracking ahead of management expectations. An estimated 11,600-13,800 Chinook remain available for retention in sport fisheries below Bonneville during April 7-30.
FUTURE HEARINGS
• A Compact hearing is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, April 14, 2008 via teleconference to consider non-Indian Commercial fisheries.
OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
JOINT STAFF REPORT
WINTER FACT SHEET NO. 12
April 9, 2008
Purpose: Spring Chinook Recreational fisheries update and review
Management guidelines and run forecasts for the 2008 spring season were presented in the Winter Fact Sheet #3 (February 15, 2008)
• The upriver spring Chinook count through April 8 at Bonneville Dam totaled 774 spring Chinook. Based on the recent 10-year average, about 6% of the run has passed by this date.
• Spring Chinook counts over Willamette Falls total 24 fish as of April 7.
• Run sizes cannot be updated until late April for upriver stock and early May for Willamette stock.
• The mainstem Columbia River is currently scheduled to be open for retention of hatchery spring Chinook in the area from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16 through April 30. Retention of hatchery Chinook is also allowed from Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam (with some area restrictions) during March 16 through May 10.
• The area from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hayden Island powerlines was open from March 24-April 4. The estimated catch for this fishery was 3,154 kept and 480 released spring Chinook and 298 kept and 65 released steelhead from 35,000 angler trips. Stock composition based on VSI indicates 86% of the Chinook are of upriver origin, which is slightly higher than expected.
• In the area from Hayden Island upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16-31 catch totaled 2,573 fish kept (371 released). Catch during April 1-6 continued to be high, with a estimated catch of 3,184 Chinook kept (460 released). Total estimated catch (March 16-April 6) for the area from Hayden Island to Bonneville Dam is 5,757 kept Chinook (831 released) and 9 kept steelhead (7 released).
• The combined catch estimate for the lower river recreational fishery through April 6 is 8,900 Chinook kept and 1,300 Chinook released from 64,900 angler trips. Pre-season catch expectations for season totaled 18,000-20,000 fish kept.
• Through April 6, recreational fisheries below Bonneville Dam have used 0.35% impacts, or 35% of the maximum allowable ESA-impacts for these fisheries.
• Based on catch rates and cumulative impacts to date, the sport fishery below Bonneville is tracking ahead of management expectations. An estimated 11,600-13,800 Chinook remain available for retention in sport fisheries below Bonneville during April 7-30.
FUTURE HEARINGS
• A Compact hearing is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, April 14, 2008 via teleconference to consider non-Indian Commercial fisheries.
It is just starting to take off! Below is the graph of the Bonneville Dam fish count for Spring Chinook Adults. I'm looking forward to fishing the weekend of the 25-27th of April. This year is supposed to have three times as many as last year's run. Oh great, it is snowing outside.... C.W.
Thanks for the graph from the Fish Passage Center, what a wealth of information.
http://www.fpc.org/
Robbi
http://www.fpc.org/
Robbi
flapbreaker
New member
CW, You might want to do as much fishing as you can because in all likely hood they are going to close the season early due to the "unexpectedly" high catch rates. It's possible that it will close before the weekend of the 26th and 27th. We'll see though.
my advisory group has a call - in meeting tomorrow to discuss the "progress" of the ongoing recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam.... I'll post more as I know more. Meanwhile, clamming has the no-toxin green light and so it looks like a 3:30 am wakeup on Saturday for us! C.W.
Dates and low tides are:
Saturday, April 19, 6:40 a.m., -0.1 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Sunday, April 20, 7:18 a.m., -0.4 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Monday, April 21, 7:55 a.m., -0.6 ft: Twin Harbors only
Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 a.m., -0.6 ft: Twin Harbors only
Wednesday, April 23, 9:06 a.m., -0.5 ft: Twin Harbors only
Locations of Washington’s razor-clam digging beaches included in this opener are:
Long Beach , which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
Twin Harbors , which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
Copalis Beach , which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River and includes the Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
Mocrocks Beach , which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific beach and Moclips.
Dates and low tides are:
Saturday, April 19, 6:40 a.m., -0.1 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Sunday, April 20, 7:18 a.m., -0.4 ft: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Monday, April 21, 7:55 a.m., -0.6 ft: Twin Harbors only
Tuesday, April 22, 8:30 a.m., -0.6 ft: Twin Harbors only
Wednesday, April 23, 9:06 a.m., -0.5 ft: Twin Harbors only
Locations of Washington’s razor-clam digging beaches included in this opener are:
Long Beach , which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
Twin Harbors , which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
Copalis Beach , which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River and includes the Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
Mocrocks Beach , which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific beach and Moclips.
Yes, the Columbia River is closing at 12:01 am Monday April 21 to the retention of spring chinook, steelhead and shad. C.W. See:
OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
JOINT STAFF REPORT
WINTER FACT SHEET NO. 14
April 16, 2008
Fisheries under consideration: Recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam
Management guidelines and run forecasts for the 2008 spring season were presented in the Winter Fact Sheet #3 (February 15, 2008)
Stock Status
• The upriver spring Chinook count through April 15 at Bonneville Dam totaled 7,844 spring Chinook. Based on the recent 10-year average, about 14% of the run has passed by this date.
• Spring Chinook counts over Willamette Falls total 78 fish as of April 15.
• Run sizes cannot be updated until passage is at least 50% complete. At Bonneville Dam, the run is typically 50% complete on May 1 (10-year average). The Willamette River run cannot typically be updated until mid May.
River Conditions
• Columbia River water temperatures in March were slightly cooler than normal averaging 43 °F compared to the 10-yr average of 44 °F. During April 1-15, temperature has gradually increased to 47 °F, but remains cooler than the 10-year average of 50 °F for mid-April.
• Flow averaged 150 kcfs in March, which is 86% of the10-year average of 174 kcfs. April flow has continued to be low, averaging 146 kcfs, which is 75% of the 10-year average of 194 kcfs. Spill at Bonneville began on April 10.
• Water clarity during March averaged 5.7 feet, which is much higher than the 10-year average of 4.7 feet. Water clarity during April remains higher than average, measuring 5.0 feet on April 14, compared to the 10-year average of 4.2 feet on the same date.
• In summary, the river is cool and clear, with less than average flow.
Fishery Update
• The Columbia River is scheduled to be open for retention of hatchery spring Chinook in the area from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16 through April 30. Retention of hatchery Chinook is also allowed from Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam (with some area restrictions) during March 16 through May 10. The area from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hayden Island powerlines was open for Chinook retention open from March 24-April 4.
• Preseason catch expectations below Bonneville Dam totaled 18,000 to 20,000 Chinook kept.
• Catch rates have exceeded expectations during March and April. The April 7-13 catch rate was the highest since at least 2000. As expected, effort continues to be high.
Columbia River Recreational Fishery below Bonneville Dam
Area Date Trips Kept Released Impacts
<Hayden Isl. Mar 24-31 20,596 1,871 311 0.067%
>Hayden Isl. Mar 16-31 15,528 2,573 371 0.104%
March Total 36,124 4,444 682 0.170%
<Hayden Isl. Apr 1-4 10,250 1,283 170 0.049%
>Hayden Isl. Apr 1-13 31,059 8,575 1,227 0.356%
>Hayden Isl. Apr 14-20 (proj.) 20,000 8,000 2,000 0.364%
April total 61,309 17,858 3,397 0.769%
Grand Total (Lower River Sport) 97,433 22,302 4,079 0.939%
• By Monday April 21, impacts to upriver spring Chinook from the LCR recreational fishery are projected to total 0.939% (103% of the 0.915% impact guideline allocated to this fishery or 93% of the maximum allocation for this fishery (1.015%) that utilizes 0.1% of the commercial set aside).
• Based on catch rates and cumulative impacts to date, the sport fishery below Bonneville is tracking well ahead of management expectations.
Joint Staff Recommendation: 2008 Lower Columbia River Recreational Fishery
• Effective 12:01 AM Monday April 21, 2008 close the Columbia River to angling for spring Chinook, steelhead, and shad from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam.
• This fishery will exceed the maximum below Bonneville recreational impact allocation if allowed to continue without modification. Due to uncertainty in estimating this week’s catch, increasing fish abundance, and projections of continued high effort and catch rates, remaining impacts may not be sufficient to allow additional fishing days without risk of exceeding the adjusted upriver impact guideline.
• A run size update is not expected to be available prior to the fishery reaching the allocated impacts.
Non-Indian Impacts
Projected Non-Indian Handle of Upriver Chinook
Kept Release ESA-Impact
Commercial Fisherya 5,450 1,830 0.41%
Sport Fishery 21,392 3,904 0.94%
Total 26,842 5,734 1.35%
Impacts allowed 2.00%
a Commercial impacts based on catch projection of 3,500 fish for April 14 fishery
Future Hearings
• A Compact hearing is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, April 21, 2008 via teleconference to consider non-Indian Commercial fisheries.
OREGON AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENTS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
JOINT STAFF REPORT
WINTER FACT SHEET NO. 14
April 16, 2008
Fisheries under consideration: Recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam
Management guidelines and run forecasts for the 2008 spring season were presented in the Winter Fact Sheet #3 (February 15, 2008)
Stock Status
• The upriver spring Chinook count through April 15 at Bonneville Dam totaled 7,844 spring Chinook. Based on the recent 10-year average, about 14% of the run has passed by this date.
• Spring Chinook counts over Willamette Falls total 78 fish as of April 15.
• Run sizes cannot be updated until passage is at least 50% complete. At Bonneville Dam, the run is typically 50% complete on May 1 (10-year average). The Willamette River run cannot typically be updated until mid May.
River Conditions
• Columbia River water temperatures in March were slightly cooler than normal averaging 43 °F compared to the 10-yr average of 44 °F. During April 1-15, temperature has gradually increased to 47 °F, but remains cooler than the 10-year average of 50 °F for mid-April.
• Flow averaged 150 kcfs in March, which is 86% of the10-year average of 174 kcfs. April flow has continued to be low, averaging 146 kcfs, which is 75% of the 10-year average of 194 kcfs. Spill at Bonneville began on April 10.
• Water clarity during March averaged 5.7 feet, which is much higher than the 10-year average of 4.7 feet. Water clarity during April remains higher than average, measuring 5.0 feet on April 14, compared to the 10-year average of 4.2 feet on the same date.
• In summary, the river is cool and clear, with less than average flow.
Fishery Update
• The Columbia River is scheduled to be open for retention of hatchery spring Chinook in the area from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam during March 16 through April 30. Retention of hatchery Chinook is also allowed from Bonneville Dam upstream to Priest Rapids Dam (with some area restrictions) during March 16 through May 10. The area from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hayden Island powerlines was open for Chinook retention open from March 24-April 4.
• Preseason catch expectations below Bonneville Dam totaled 18,000 to 20,000 Chinook kept.
• Catch rates have exceeded expectations during March and April. The April 7-13 catch rate was the highest since at least 2000. As expected, effort continues to be high.
Columbia River Recreational Fishery below Bonneville Dam
Area Date Trips Kept Released Impacts
<Hayden Isl. Mar 24-31 20,596 1,871 311 0.067%
>Hayden Isl. Mar 16-31 15,528 2,573 371 0.104%
March Total 36,124 4,444 682 0.170%
<Hayden Isl. Apr 1-4 10,250 1,283 170 0.049%
>Hayden Isl. Apr 1-13 31,059 8,575 1,227 0.356%
>Hayden Isl. Apr 14-20 (proj.) 20,000 8,000 2,000 0.364%
April total 61,309 17,858 3,397 0.769%
Grand Total (Lower River Sport) 97,433 22,302 4,079 0.939%
• By Monday April 21, impacts to upriver spring Chinook from the LCR recreational fishery are projected to total 0.939% (103% of the 0.915% impact guideline allocated to this fishery or 93% of the maximum allocation for this fishery (1.015%) that utilizes 0.1% of the commercial set aside).
• Based on catch rates and cumulative impacts to date, the sport fishery below Bonneville is tracking well ahead of management expectations.
Joint Staff Recommendation: 2008 Lower Columbia River Recreational Fishery
• Effective 12:01 AM Monday April 21, 2008 close the Columbia River to angling for spring Chinook, steelhead, and shad from the Hayden Island west powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam.
• This fishery will exceed the maximum below Bonneville recreational impact allocation if allowed to continue without modification. Due to uncertainty in estimating this week’s catch, increasing fish abundance, and projections of continued high effort and catch rates, remaining impacts may not be sufficient to allow additional fishing days without risk of exceeding the adjusted upriver impact guideline.
• A run size update is not expected to be available prior to the fishery reaching the allocated impacts.
Non-Indian Impacts
Projected Non-Indian Handle of Upriver Chinook
Kept Release ESA-Impact
Commercial Fisherya 5,450 1,830 0.41%
Sport Fishery 21,392 3,904 0.94%
Total 26,842 5,734 1.35%
Impacts allowed 2.00%
a Commercial impacts based on catch projection of 3,500 fish for April 14 fishery
Future Hearings
• A Compact hearing is scheduled for 11:00 AM Monday, April 21, 2008 via teleconference to consider non-Indian Commercial fisheries.
WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
April 23, 2008
Contact: WDFW - Craig Bartlett, 360-902-2259
(cell) 360-480-1227
ODFW - Rick Hargrave, 503-947-6020
(cell) 503-559-1592
[NEWS ADVISORY: See options for news coverage at the end of this news release.]
Sea lion relocation to begin tomorrow (April 24)
OLYMPIA-The Washington and Oregon departments of Fish and Wildlife plan to begin relocating a number of California sea lions tomorrow morning from the Columbia River to several zoological facilities across the country.
Any relocated animals will be those identified as preying on federally protected endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead in waters immediately below Bonneville Dam. The sea lions are adult males that migrate seasonally from the coast of California to feed on runs of salmon and steelhead returning to the Columbia River. They target fish that congregate below the dam before passing up the dam's fish ladders.
In March, the National Marine Fisheries Service granted Washington, Oregon and Idaho the authority to remove up to 85 identified California sea lions annually in an effort to reduce the animals' impact on protected fish.
The states first priority is relocate as many of the identified California sea lions as possible to federally approved zoos and aquariums. So far, placements have been found for up to 20 sea lions.
The states' plan is to relocate animals was not affected by today's ruling by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that temporarily prohibits using lethal means to deter predation on protected salmon and steelhead by California sea lions. The court is expected to hear arguments on that issue in early May.
The legal challenge was filed by the Humane Society of the United States, the Wild Fish Conservancy and two private citizens.
A team of marine mammal biologists plan to capture marked sea lions in live traps on floating barges near the dam, and transfer them in cages to specially equipped horse trailers for their journey to a temporary quarantine facility, before they are flown to designated zoological facilities.
The trapping operation is expected to continue on various days for several weeks.
The affected sea lions are part of a robust West Coast population that since 2001 has been seasonally feeding on federally protected salmon and steelhead below the dam.
Despite three years of efforts to deter them, sea lions consumed more than 4 percent of the returning spring chinook salmon run last year, in just the area visible to observers on the dam. As of this week, approximately 50 sea lions were observed feeding on salmon and steelhead immediately below the dam. A single California sea lion consumes an average of seven salmon per day.
"Sea lion predation at the base of Bonneville Dam is a new and significant threat to recovery of Columbia River ESA-listed salmon and detracts from efforts to reduce impacts on protected fish from other sectors-including fisheries, habitat modifications, hatchery and dam operations," said Guy Norman, regional director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's southwest regional office. "Hundreds of millions of dollars of salmon-recovery investments could be compromised if sea lion impacts are not managed as well."
MEDIA ADVISORY: Thursday's trapping activities can be observed at a distance from the Washington shore of the Columbia River. Possibly as early as next week, participating agencies plan to give credentialed members of the news media a closer view from a restricted area at Bonneville Dam. To register for any special viewing opportunities next week, members of the news media must contact Rick Hargrave at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife no later than 3 p.m. Friday, April 25 at (503) 947-6020. There will be no exceptions to the requirement for prior registration, and members of the media must present their credentials to participate. To register, please provide the names of any accompanying staff, the name of your news organization and contact phone numbers.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/
April 23, 2008
Contact: WDFW - Craig Bartlett, 360-902-2259
(cell) 360-480-1227
ODFW - Rick Hargrave, 503-947-6020
(cell) 503-559-1592
[NEWS ADVISORY: See options for news coverage at the end of this news release.]
Sea lion relocation to begin tomorrow (April 24)
OLYMPIA-The Washington and Oregon departments of Fish and Wildlife plan to begin relocating a number of California sea lions tomorrow morning from the Columbia River to several zoological facilities across the country.
Any relocated animals will be those identified as preying on federally protected endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead in waters immediately below Bonneville Dam. The sea lions are adult males that migrate seasonally from the coast of California to feed on runs of salmon and steelhead returning to the Columbia River. They target fish that congregate below the dam before passing up the dam's fish ladders.
In March, the National Marine Fisheries Service granted Washington, Oregon and Idaho the authority to remove up to 85 identified California sea lions annually in an effort to reduce the animals' impact on protected fish.
The states first priority is relocate as many of the identified California sea lions as possible to federally approved zoos and aquariums. So far, placements have been found for up to 20 sea lions.
The states' plan is to relocate animals was not affected by today's ruling by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that temporarily prohibits using lethal means to deter predation on protected salmon and steelhead by California sea lions. The court is expected to hear arguments on that issue in early May.
The legal challenge was filed by the Humane Society of the United States, the Wild Fish Conservancy and two private citizens.
A team of marine mammal biologists plan to capture marked sea lions in live traps on floating barges near the dam, and transfer them in cages to specially equipped horse trailers for their journey to a temporary quarantine facility, before they are flown to designated zoological facilities.
The trapping operation is expected to continue on various days for several weeks.
The affected sea lions are part of a robust West Coast population that since 2001 has been seasonally feeding on federally protected salmon and steelhead below the dam.
Despite three years of efforts to deter them, sea lions consumed more than 4 percent of the returning spring chinook salmon run last year, in just the area visible to observers on the dam. As of this week, approximately 50 sea lions were observed feeding on salmon and steelhead immediately below the dam. A single California sea lion consumes an average of seven salmon per day.
"Sea lion predation at the base of Bonneville Dam is a new and significant threat to recovery of Columbia River ESA-listed salmon and detracts from efforts to reduce impacts on protected fish from other sectors-including fisheries, habitat modifications, hatchery and dam operations," said Guy Norman, regional director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's southwest regional office. "Hundreds of millions of dollars of salmon-recovery investments could be compromised if sea lion impacts are not managed as well."
MEDIA ADVISORY: Thursday's trapping activities can be observed at a distance from the Washington shore of the Columbia River. Possibly as early as next week, participating agencies plan to give credentialed members of the news media a closer view from a restricted area at Bonneville Dam. To register for any special viewing opportunities next week, members of the news media must contact Rick Hargrave at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife no later than 3 p.m. Friday, April 25 at (503) 947-6020. There will be no exceptions to the requirement for prior registration, and members of the media must present their credentials to participate. To register, please provide the names of any accompanying staff, the name of your news organization and contact phone numbers.
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Looks like the Snake River run must be huge! Three hatchery fish per day, plus two jacks!
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Chinook Season Opens on Snake River
Date:
April 24, 2008
Contact:
Rhine Messmer (503) 947-6214
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
Fax: (541) 673-0372
Salem, Ore — Due to strong returns of spring chinook in the Snake River, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the opening of a spring chinook fishery below Hells Canyon Dam from April 26 to as late as July 20.
This section of the river will be open to sport fishing seven days a week from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam. The daily bag limit will be three adult adipose fin-clipped spring chinook per day. Two fin-clipped jack chinook may be retained in addition to the adult bag limit.
“The department expects over 124,000 thousand hatchery spring/summer chinook to migrate over Lower Granite Dam in 2008,” said Rhine Messmer, ODFW recreational fisheries program manager.
“These fish are more than what we need for broodstock purposes, and we expect several thousand of these hatchery fish to return to the base of Hells Canyon and be available for sport harvest,” he said.
Fishing must be with barbless hooks in order to reduce potential impacts on wild fish, and for consistency with Idaho regulations. Otherwise, general statewide angling regulations regarding gear restrictions, legal angling times and fishing methods apply.
The decision to open the chinook fishery to sport fishing was made by ODFW and Idaho Fish and Game, who co-manage the fisheries on the Snake River.
The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.
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Chinook Season Opens on Snake River
Date:
April 24, 2008
Contact:
Rhine Messmer (503) 947-6214
Jessica Sall (503) 947-6023
Fax: (541) 673-0372
Salem, Ore — Due to strong returns of spring chinook in the Snake River, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the opening of a spring chinook fishery below Hells Canyon Dam from April 26 to as late as July 20.
This section of the river will be open to sport fishing seven days a week from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam. The daily bag limit will be three adult adipose fin-clipped spring chinook per day. Two fin-clipped jack chinook may be retained in addition to the adult bag limit.
“The department expects over 124,000 thousand hatchery spring/summer chinook to migrate over Lower Granite Dam in 2008,” said Rhine Messmer, ODFW recreational fisheries program manager.
“These fish are more than what we need for broodstock purposes, and we expect several thousand of these hatchery fish to return to the base of Hells Canyon and be available for sport harvest,” he said.
Fishing must be with barbless hooks in order to reduce potential impacts on wild fish, and for consistency with Idaho regulations. Otherwise, general statewide angling regulations regarding gear restrictions, legal angling times and fishing methods apply.
The decision to open the chinook fishery to sport fishing was made by ODFW and Idaho Fish and Game, who co-manage the fisheries on the Snake River.
The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.
Gary,
the guys I know who do pretty well on the Kalama use a flat black diving plug (no hooks) with about an 8ft. leader running behind it (12 lb. test?) with a sand shrimp on a hook with a spin 'n glo ahead of a bead ahead of a swivel about 2/3 down that leader towards the bait. Good luck. Water temps are still cold, but maybe these next few warm days will help with that. C.W.
the guys I know who do pretty well on the Kalama use a flat black diving plug (no hooks) with about an 8ft. leader running behind it (12 lb. test?) with a sand shrimp on a hook with a spin 'n glo ahead of a bead ahead of a swivel about 2/3 down that leader towards the bait. Good luck. Water temps are still cold, but maybe these next few warm days will help with that. C.W.