Adult salmon daily limit reduced on the Klickitat River

[Pacific NW Ron]

Location and Effective date and rules:  
•From the mouth (Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge) to Fisher Hill Bridge:     ◦Effective April 1, 2021 through May 28, the salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is 2 fish, of which only 1 may be an adult salmon; release wild Chinook.
◦Effective May 29 until further notice: the salmon daily limit is 6; up to 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release wild Chinook.

•From 400 feet upstream of #5 fishway to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery:  effective May 29, 2021 until further notice:  the salmon daily limit is 6; up to 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release wild Chinook.

Species affected:  Salmon 

Reason for action:  An estimated 1,500 adult spring Chinook are forecast to return to the Klickitat River in 2021. Managers are reducing the adult salmon daily limit to ensure that hatchery Chinook broodstock goals are achieved. Reducing the adult salmon daily limit will provide continued opportunity for anglers to harvest spring Chinook and help ensure future hatchery returns.   

Additional information:  Anglers are reminded that between April 1 and May 28, the lower Klickitat River is opened for salmon and hatchery steelhead on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only. All other rules published in the 2020-2021 Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet remain in effect. WDFW will continue to monitor the spring Chinook return with Co-Managers to determine if additional fishery modification is needed. 

Information contact:  Region 5, 360-696-6211.