05-02-2008, 08:21 PM
Action: Open lower and middle reaches of the Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon.
<br>Effective date: May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008<br>
<br>Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon<br>
<br>Location: Lower Reach: Yakima River from the Interstate 182 bridge in Richland upstream to the SR 224 bridge at Benton City.<br>
<br>Middle 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: Yakama Nation and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a return of approximately 10,060 spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2008. Approximately 4,860 fish (48% of the total run) are predicted to be hatchery salmon from the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project research hatchery at Cle Elum. State and tribal managers estimate that only 2,730 (27%) of the total run will be wild Naches R. chinook the weaker of the two wild stocks returning to the Yakima Basin and not supplemented by hatchery production. Due to the weaker run of Naches wild chinook expected this year, all wild fish will be protected from sport harvest.<br>
<br>Other information:<br>
<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>
<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. During the spring chinook salmon season, this includes anglers fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish and other gamefish.<br>
<br>Night closure in effect for all species. During the spring chinook salmon season, this includes anglers fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish and other gamefish.<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>Closed to fishing for all species 400 feet downstream of Horn Rapids (Wanawish) Dam, and 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>
<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).
<br>Effective date: May 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008<br>
<br>Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon<br>
<br>Location: Lower Reach: Yakima River from the Interstate 182 bridge in Richland upstream to the SR 224 bridge at Benton City.<br>
<br>Middle 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: Yakama Nation and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a return of approximately 10,060 spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2008. Approximately 4,860 fish (48% of the total run) are predicted to be hatchery salmon from the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project research hatchery at Cle Elum. State and tribal managers estimate that only 2,730 (27%) of the total run will be wild Naches R. chinook the weaker of the two wild stocks returning to the Yakima Basin and not supplemented by hatchery production. Due to the weaker run of Naches wild chinook expected this year, all wild fish will be protected from sport harvest.<br>
<br>Other information:<br>
<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>
<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. During the spring chinook salmon season, this includes anglers fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish and other gamefish.<br>
<br>Night closure in effect for all species. During the spring chinook salmon season, this includes anglers fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish and other gamefish.<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>Closed to fishing for all species 400 feet downstream of Horn Rapids (Wanawish) Dam, and 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>
<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).