Action: Regulatory reach 1 (below) closes to fishing for and retention of steelhead. Regulatory reach 2 (below) reduces the hatchery steelhead daily limit to one fish; anglers must stop fishing for the day once their hatchery steelhead daily limit has been retained.

Effective date: Jan. 4 through Mar. 31, 2022

Species affected: Steelhead      

Location:
Regulatory reach 1 - From the mouth of the Snake River (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to the Lower Granite dam (Catch Record Card areas 640, 642, 644 and 646).

• Closed to fishing for and retention of steelhead.

Regulatory reach 2 – From Lower Granite Dam upstream to the Idaho/Oregon state line (Catch Record Card areas 648 and 650).

• Daily limit one hatchery steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for steelhead after the steelhead daily limit has been retained.

Reason for action: The 2021 Columbia River forecasted return for upriver steelhead was 89,200. These measures are consistent with the discussions and actions taken from North of Falcon pre-season season setting process due to a low forecast. Steelhead passage at Bonneville dam remains the lowest count on record. WDFW has coordinated with co-managers, and while the overall return is low, current estimates of natural and hatchery origin fish returning to the Upper Snake River are sufficient to allow for limited recreational fisheries to continue with reduced daily limits.

Additional information: In Regulatory reach 2, all steelhead with unclipped adipose fins must be immediately released unharmed. Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for steelhead. WDFW requires that all Washington licensed anglers cease fishing for the day once they have retained their daily limit.

Anglers should be sure to identify their catch and follow regulations for other salmonid species that are in the areas. Anglers cannot remove any Chinook, coho or steelhead from the water if it is not retained as part of the daily bag limit. Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2021/2022 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc.

Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.

Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist 509-382-1005