Coho salmon season opens above Priest Rapids Dam
Coho salmon fishing above Priest Rapids Dam, pictured, has opened.
FILE PHOTO
MATTAWA — Coho salmon season has opened along the Columbia River for most of the section between Priest Rapids Dam and Chief Joseph Dam. Anglers can fish for coho through Oct. 15.
“Returns of upper Columbia River-bund coho salmon are sufficient to meet conservation objectives and provide for sport angler harvest between (the dams),” according to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife press release.
Twelve inches is the minimum size to retain the fish, the WDFW release said. Anglers can keep up to six fish between Priest Rapids and Rock Island Dam south of Wenatchee. But anglers are restricted to two adult Chinook and two coho salmon. All other salmon must be released.
Anglers are limited to two coho from Rock Island to Wells Dam south of Pateros and must release all other salmon. The river is closed between Wells Dam and the State Route 173 bridge across the river at Brewster.
The limit of two coho is in effect between the SR 173 bridge and the mouth of Foster Creek on the Douglas County side of the river.
The fishery will be monitored, the press release said, and may be closed if there is negative impact to summer steelhead populations.