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Coho Again to Open in Snake's Lower Hells Canyon by Andy Walgamott Northwest Sportsman, October 5, 2023

THE FOLLOWING IS A WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE CHANGE NOTICE

Action: Opens areas of the Snake River to coho retention.

Effective date: Immediately, through Oct. 29.

Species affected: Chinook and coho salmon.

Locations:

Lyons Ferry Bubble Fishery from the red river marker (Marker 28) on the south shore of the Snake River upstream to the Highway 261 Bridge, approximately 1.4 miles:

Immediately, through Oct. 29: Salmon open Thursdays through Sundays each week. Daily limit is two (2) adult Chinook including no more than one (1) wild (unclipped, adipose intact) adult Chinook. No daily limit for any jack Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required.

From the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River just upstream of West Evans Road on the south shore (approximately three miles downstream of Clarkston) upstream to the Idaho border at Clarkston (the dividing line for catch record card area 648/650):

Immediately, through Oct. 6, 2023: Salmon open daily. Salmon daily limit is any three (3) adult Chinook. No limit for any jack Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required.

Oct. 7 through Oct. 31: Salmon open daily. Salmon daily limit is any three (3) adult Chinook and any two (2) adult coho totaling five (5) adults combined. No limit for any jack Chinook or any jack coho. Minimum size is 12 inches. Barbless hooks required.

Snake River from the Idaho Border at Clarkston (the dividing line for catch record card area 648/650), upstream to the Oregon state line:

Immediately, through Oct. 6, 2023: Salmon open daily. Salmon daily limit is any three (3) adult Chinook. No limit for any jack Chinook. Minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon other than Chinook. Barbless hooks required.

Oct. 7 through Oct. 31: Salmon open daily. Salmon daily limit is any three (3) adult Chinook and any two (2) adult coho, totaling five (5) adults combined. No limit for any jack Chinook or any jack coho. Minimum size is 12 inches. Barbless hooks required.

Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Salmon open daily. Salmon daily limit is any two (2) adult coho. No limit for any jack coho. Minimum size is 12 inches. Barbless hooks required.

Reason for action: The return of coho from the Nez Perce Tribe's hatchery program to reintroduce coho in the Snake River basin is large enough to meet broodstock needs, allow natural spawning, and provide harvest opportunities.

Additional information: WDFW is requiring that all Washington licensed anglers cease fishing for Chinook or coho salmon once they have retained their adult daily limit for that species. Adult Chinook are 24 inches in length or longer and jack Chinook are less than 24 inches in length. Adult coho are 20 inches in length or longer and jack coho are less than 20 inches in length. Two-pole permits are not allowed during this fishery.

When fishing in the Snake River between Washington and Idaho, the holder of a valid Washington fishing license may fish the Snake River where it forms a boundary between the states of Washington and Idaho. Washington licensed anglers are subject to the Washington fishing rules and may not fish from the shore, including wading, and may not fish sloughs or tributaries on the Idaho side.

Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming a Washington boundary can only utilize the fishing privileges (limits, size restriction, etc.) of one state's fishing license at a time. Before utilizing a Washington fishing license or fishing in Washington only waters, any fish retained while using another state's license must be returned to shore before continuing to fish.

Anglers should be sure to identify their catch and mark catch record cards appropriately by species. All salmonids (salmon or steelhead) that are not kept as part of the daily limit cannot be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed. All harvested salmon (adult or jack) must be immediately recorded on a catch record card when utilizing a Washington fishing license. Anglers should continue to check emergency regulations for new and changing seasons or sign up for email notifications on any rule change at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists . In addition, anglers are reminded to refer to the 2023/2024