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Steelhead and Walleye Among the Top Picks in Columbia River Region by Mark Yuasa Seattle Times, February 22, 2012

Another Spring Chinook Caught

COLUMBIA FISHING FISHING REPORTS

Here are the weekend fishing opportunities:

Sturgeon retention is allowed three days a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from Bonneville Dam downstream to Wauna Powerlines, and seven days per week from Wauna Powerlines downstream to Buoy 10 with a 38-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length restriction in effect.

Steelhead fishing is good in The Dalles and John Day pools. Anglers are also catching a few steelhead and early spring Chinook on the lower Columbia River.

Walleye angling is starting to pick-up between Bonneville and McNary Dams.

SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD

The following modifications are now in effect for the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam:

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, BUOY 10 LINE UPSTREAM TO THE I-5 BRIDGE:

This section of the Columbia River is currently open seven days per week to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped coho during January 1 through Wednesday February 29, 2012 with a daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead in combination plus five jacks. Effective Thursday March 1 through Friday April 6, 2012 (or until the catch guideline of 12,700 upriver spring Chinook has been reached) this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad with a daily bag limit of two adult salmonids, only one of which may be a Chinook (≥24"), and five adipose fin-clipped jacks; however, the season will be closed on Tuesdays, March 20, 27, and April 3 to allow for possible commercial fishing days. The retention of chum and sockeye salmon is prohibited. All other permanent rules apply.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, I-5 BRIDGE UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM:

This section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead with a daily bag limit of two fish during January 1 - February 29, 2012. The retention of spring Chinook is prohibited as per permanent regulations. Effective Thursday March 1, the mainstem Columbia River from the I-5 Bridge upstream to Beacon Rock plus the Oregon and Washington banks from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad through Friday April 6 (or until the catch guideline of 12,700 upriver spring Chinook has been reached); however, the season will be closed on Tuesdays, March 20, 27 and April 3 to allow for possible commercial fishing days. The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped adult salmonids, of which only one may be a Chinook (≥24"), plus five adipose fin-clipped Chinook jacks. The retention of chum and sockeye salmon is prohibited. All other permanent rules remain in effect.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE OREGON/WASHINGTON BORDER:

This section of the Columbia River is open January 1 - March 15, 2012 to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead with a daily bag limit of two fish. The retention of spring Chinook is prohibited as per permanent regulations. Effective Friday March 16 through Wednesday May 2, 2012 (or until the catch guideline of 1,700 fish has been reached), this area will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook and adipose fin-clipped steelhead with a daily bag limit of two adipose fin-clipped adult Chinook (≥24") or steelhead in combination, plus five adipose fin-clipped Chinook jacks. Angling for salmon and steelhead from a floating device between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island Powerlines (located approximately 6 miles downstream from The Dalles Dam) is prohibited.

Salmon angler effort was light on the lower Columbia this past weekend and catch rates were low but should improve in the coming weeks. On Saturday's (2/18) flight, 26 salmonid boats and 31 Oregon bank anglers were counted.

Gorge Bank:

No report.

Gorge Boats:

No report.

Portland to Longview Bank:

Weekly checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus two unclipped steelhead released for 99 bank anglers.

Portland to Longview boats:

Weekend checking showed one adipose fin-clipped spring chinook kept for 44 boats (99 anglers).

Bonneville Pool:

No report.

The Dalles Pool:

Weekly checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus two unclipped steelhead released for 16 bank anglers; and two unclipped steelhead released for three boats (seven anglers).

John Day Pool:

Weekly checking showed one unclipped steelhead released for five bank anglers; and four unclipped steelhead released for five boats (eight anglers).

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