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Spring Chinook Two-Day Fishing Extension Approved on Columbia River Above Bonneville Dam by Mark Yuasa Seattle Times, May 5, 2016

The Columbia River mainstem above Bonneville Dam will remain open through Sunday (May 8) for spring chinook fishing.

State Fish and Wildlife expect anglers will catch up to the 1,000-fish guideline set for the area prior to the season beginning in mid-March.

The boat fishing area above Bonneville Dam extends from the Tower Island power lines up to the Washington/Oregon state line, 17 miles above McNary Dam. Bank anglers can also fish in that area, plus the shorelines between Bonneville Dam and the power lines.

Spring chinook were slow moving above Bonneville Dam, but the fish counts soared in recent days with counts totaling 10,155 on May 1; 13,907 on May 2; 10,860 on May 3; 7,461 on May 4.

The daily limit is one hatchery-marked chinook in a two-fish daily limit. Anglers may also keep hatchery-marked steelhead and shad.

State fisheries should have an updated in-season run size and will determine if opening the Lower Columbia below Bonneville is possible.