05-02-2008, 08:21 PM
Action: Open the Ringold Area Bank Fishery for hatchery spring chinook
Effective date: May 1, 2008 through June 15, 2008
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ½ mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side of the river is open - bank fishing only; Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet) is closed.
Reason for action: WDFW predicts that 1,100 hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) spring chinook will return to the RSRF in 2008. These salmon were reared with funding from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). All of the fish were adipose fin-clipped prior to release. The dual purposes of the 2005 and 2006 smolt releases producing this year's return of age four and age five adults are: 1) to provide adult spawners for CTUIR?s Walla Walla River spring chinook re-introduction feasibility study, and 2) to provide bank fishing opportunity for anglers in the Tri-Cities area. This is the second consecutive year for the Ringold Area Bank Fishery for spring chinook.
This fishery will be intensively monitored with the objective of providing a 50: 50 allocation between angler harvest and trapped adults for the CTUIR's Walla Walla re-introduction program. The fishery may be closed with little advance notice to allow sufficient numbers of fish to be trapped for the CTUIR.
Other information: Daily limit: 2 hatchery salmon, 12-inch minimum size. Only chinook with a clipped adipose fin and having a healed scar at the location of the fin may be retained. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions in effect. When non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained. All wild chinook (with an intact adipose fin) must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima)
Effective date: May 1, 2008 through June 15, 2008
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ½ mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet). Only the hatchery side of the river is open - bank fishing only; Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet) is closed.
Reason for action: WDFW predicts that 1,100 hatchery (adipose fin-clipped) spring chinook will return to the RSRF in 2008. These salmon were reared with funding from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). All of the fish were adipose fin-clipped prior to release. The dual purposes of the 2005 and 2006 smolt releases producing this year's return of age four and age five adults are: 1) to provide adult spawners for CTUIR?s Walla Walla River spring chinook re-introduction feasibility study, and 2) to provide bank fishing opportunity for anglers in the Tri-Cities area. This is the second consecutive year for the Ringold Area Bank Fishery for spring chinook.
This fishery will be intensively monitored with the objective of providing a 50: 50 allocation between angler harvest and trapped adults for the CTUIR's Walla Walla re-introduction program. The fishery may be closed with little advance notice to allow sufficient numbers of fish to be trapped for the CTUIR.
Other information: Daily limit: 2 hatchery salmon, 12-inch minimum size. Only chinook with a clipped adipose fin and having a healed scar at the location of the fin may be retained. Night closure and non-buoyant lure restrictions in effect. When non-buoyant lure restrictions are in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained. All wild chinook (with an intact adipose fin) must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water.
Information contacts: Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima)