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Chinook Fishing Changes on Snake River by Staff Lewiston Tribune, May 14, 2014

People fishing for spring chinook on the Snake River near Clarkston and Lower Granite Dam will have an extra day each week to catch fish.

But the season is over at Ice Harbor and Little Goose Dams. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife closed the lower two fishing areas today, effective immediately. Anglers there have harvested about 900 of the state's 1,300-fish quota for the Snake River.

Fishing for the state's remaining balance of about 400 chinook will remain open at Clarkston and Lower Granite Dam and the open fishing period has been expanded to four days a week. Clarkston will now be open Thursdays through Sundays and Lower Granite will be open Saturdays through Tuesdays.

Little harvest has occurred at either Lower Granite or Clarkston. Glen Mendel, district fish biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said it's possible Ice Harbor and Little Goose could reopen if anglers at Lower Granite and Clarkston aren't able to catch the remaining portion of the state's Snake River allocation.

"We will see whether the upper two zone are successful. If they are great, if they are not we will consider potentially reopening the other two zones for a day or something," he said. "That is a big maybe."

Mendel said by the time a decision is made to reopen the lower areas, the run may be over or nearly so.