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Small Salmon Runs Predicted for Columbia River in 2006 by Staff The News Tribune, December 22, 2005

State fisheries managers in Washington and Oregon are predicting that 2006 Columbia River salmon runs will be below levels seen in recent years. This comes after 2005 runs failed to reach predicted levels in most instances.

For fall chinook, the 2005 return was near 561,200, down from very strong returns of recent three years. The 2006 run is expected to be less than 2005 and likely less than 500,000 fish.

This year, the coho return was near 300,000 fish. Biologists also noted that the number of jacks returning was similar to the numbers in 2004. They are forecasting a 2006 adult run similar to this year.

Here is a look at the forecast for 2006 for specific stocks:

• Lower River hatchery stock: Likely down from 2005 return of 70,000 fish.
• Lower River wild stock: Return should be down or similar to 2005 return of 20,000.
• Bonneville Pool hatchery stock: Likely less than 2005 of 102,500.
• Upriver bright stock: Less than 2005, possibly less than 200,000 fish.
• Mid-Columbia bright stock: Should be similar to 2005 return of 73,000 fish.
• Upriver spring chinook: About 88,400 fish.
• Summer chinook: Down to about 49,000 fish.
• Sockeye: Expect a serious drop, to about 31,100 fish.