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Big Increase in Number of Chinook Salmon Returning to Columbia River by Jessica Murri Boise Weekly, September 14, 2014

Wildlife officials were well please this weekend, when 107,000 Chinook salmon climbed the Bonneville Dam fish ladder, Boise State Public Radio reports.

Sara Thompson, a spokesperson for the Columbia Inter Tribal Fish Commission, said the high numbers of returning fish is excellent news for Columbia River tribes and fisheries. She said the improved numbers come from several factors, including "improved fish passage, good ocean conditions ... great work by the Nez Perce Tribe and Snake River fall Chinook."

Ratios of wild versus hatchery fish haven't been determined yet, but the number of wild fish expected to make it all the way to the Snake River may exceed hatchery numbers.

So far, 520,706 fall Chinook have passed the Bonneville Dam this year. A daily fish counter can be viewed here.

Related Pages:
Fall Chinook Hitting at Snake-Clearwater Confluence by Rich Landers, Spokesman-Review, 9/17/14