August 23, 2011

ENTERPRISE, Ore. – For the second year in a row, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will open the upper Snake River for fall chinook fishing on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2011.

Anglers will be able to fish seven-days-a week concurrent with the annual Hell’s Canyon steelhead fishery. The river will be open from the Oregon-Washington border to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam and will remain open until Oct. 31, or until a closure is announced.

More than 35,000 fall chinook salmon are predicted to pass the Lower Granite Dam this year, according to ODFW fishery managers. The daily bag limit is six adipose fin-clipped adult fall chinook salmon. Adult salmon are classified as being 24 inches or longer.

“We recognize that a six-fish bag limit is unusual, but the large amount of hatchery surplus fish available creates a great opportunity for anglers to catch these fish,” said Jeff Yanke, ODFW district fish biologist in Enterprise.

Anglers can also keep jack chinook salmon with no daily, possession, or season limits. Only barbless hooks may be used on this stretch of river. Anglers are reminded to consult the 2011 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for other applicable regulations.

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Contact:
Jeff Yanke (541) 426-3279 or Richard Hargrave (503) 947-6020