Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington approved expanded recreational salmon fishing on the mainstem Columbia River following a joint state hearing.
The new openings include Chinook salmon fishing on the weekend of Sept. 26-27 from the Buoy 10 line upstream to the Highway 395 bridge at Pasco, Washington. Unmarked coho will be available from the west Puget Island line upstream to the Highway 395 bridge through Oct. 15, beginning Sept. 26.
Different bag limits and dates apply to different river sections. From the Buoy 10 line upstream to west Puget Island, anglers may retain three salmon (Chinook or hatchery coho) daily on Sept. 26-27, with only one Chinook allowed. West of Puget Island upstream to the Highway 395 bridge, the limit is two salmon daily on Sept. 26-27, with only one Chinook. From Sept. 28-30 in that same area, anglers may keep two coho daily.
Coho retention from Oct. 1-15 upstream of west Puget Island is expected to proceed as originally planned under pre-season rules. The agencies said staff will continue monitoring the fisheries and may make additional modifications. All other regulations in Oregon's current sport fishing rules remain in effect.