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+--- Thread: Yakima River spring chinook daily limit increased (/showthread.php?tid=423379)
Yakima River spring chinook daily limit increased - FishNews - 06-17-2008
Action: Increase the daily limit for hatchery spring chinook salmon from two to six salmon per day.
<br>Effective date: June 10, 2008 through June 30, 2008.<br>
<br>Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon.<br>
<br>Locations:<br>
<br>1) Lower Yakima Reach: Yakima River from the Interstate 182 bridge in Richland upstream to the SR 225 bridge at Benton City.<br>
<br>2) Middle Yakima Reach: Yakima River from the Interstate 82 bridge at Union Gap upstream to 3,500 feet downstream of Roza Dam (closed water boundary markers).<br>
<br>Reason for action: Creel census data and recent reports from anglers indicate that a large percentage of the spring chinook migrating upstream to Roza Dam are adipose-clipped hatchery fish, both jacks (less than 24 inches long) and adults. Hatchery jacks are particularly abundant. WDFW and Yakama Nation co-managers want to limit the number of hatchery jacks and adults on the upper Yakima River spawning grounds this fall to prevent adverse genetic impacts to the natural-origin component of the run. Additional selective harvest of hatchery fish is desirable.<br>
<br>Other information:<br>
<br>Daily limit of six (6) 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>
<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.<br>
<br>Night closure in effect for all species.<br>
<br>Fishing for steelhead remains closed. All steelhead must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.<br>
<br>Information contact: Jim Cummins, Fish Biologist, (509) 457-9316 (Yakima), Paul Hoffarth, Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco), or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).