The mainstem Columbia River from the I-5 Bridge to the mouth
remains open to salmon fishing through Feb. 24. There were no changes
to the regulations on the Sandy River, which remains open with a
two-fish daily limit.
Approved seasons are based on preliminary run projections that
269,300 fish will return to the Columbia River--the third largest
return since 1977--and that 34,000 fish will make up the Willamette
River return, the lowest since 1997.
Fish managers set the Columbia River spring chinook fishery based
on the number of fish expected to return from the ocean and the
allowable impact to wild salmon and steelhead stocks listed under the
federal Endangered Species Act.
"Impacts" are the unintended mortalities associated with handling
and releasing wild fish. This year, non-Indian impacts are limited to
2 percent of the total upriver run that includes ESA-listed Snake
River spring/summer chinook and Upper Columbia River spring chinook.
Anglers participating in these fisheries may also retain shad and
hatchery steelhead within daily catch limits established by each
state. Catch limits and other restrictions listed in the current 2008
Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations pamphlet remain in effect the entire
year.
Additional information may also be found on ODFW's Web page at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/OSCRP/CRM/index.asp
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