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State Fish and Wildlife Columbia River Regional Fishing Reports by Mark Yuasa Seattle Times, April 22, 2014

Salmon/Steelhead

Cowlitz River -- Anglers are catching a mix of spring Chinook and winter run steelhead. Most of the action was between the hatcheries.

Anglers should note the south side of the river from Mill Creek to the Barrier Dam is closed to all fishing from May 1 through June 15 per permanent regulations.

Last week Tacoma Power recovered 836 winter-run steelhead, 80 spring Chinook adults, eight jacks and one cutthroat trout during five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.

During the past week Tacoma Power employees released 15 steelhead and one cutthroat trout into the Tilton River at Gust Backstrom Park in Morton and 105 steelhead, 41 spring Chinook adults and seven jacks into Lake Scanewa above Cowlitz Falls Dam.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately 8,880 cubic feet per second on Monday, April 21. Water visibility is nine feet.

Kalama River -- Anglers are catching a mix of spring Chinook (which have to be released) and steelhead. No spring Chinook had returned to Kalama Falls Hatchery as of April 18. The hatchery escapement goal is about 400 fish.

Lewis River -- Effort and catches are light. Remains closed for spring Chinook. North Fork Lewis River from Johnson Creek (located downstream from Lewis River Salmon Hatchery) to Merwin Dam -- Through May 31, closed to all fishing.

Through April 18, a total of 7 hatchery adult spring Chinook had returned to the traps. The hatchery escapement goal is about 1,300 fish.

Wind River -- Effort and spring Chinook catches are increasing. Some spring Chinook have also been reported caught in the gorge.

From the mouth to the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge, each angler aboard a vessel may deploy SALMON/STEELHEAD angling gear until the daily SALMON/STEELHEAD limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved from May 1 through June 30. In addition, anglers with a Two-Pole Endorsement may fish for salmon and steelhead with two poles during the same period.

Anti-snagging rule will be in effect from the Burlington-Northern Railroad Bridge upstream beginning May 1. When the anti-snagging rule is in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Wind River from 100 feet above Shipherd Falls upstream to boundary markers approximately 800 yards downstream from Carson National Fish Hatchery (except closed 400 feet below to 100 feet above the Coffer Dam) -- From May 1 through June 30, the salmon and steelhead daily limits will be a total of 2 chinook or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Unmarked chinook may be retained in this section of the Wind. Night closure and anti-snag rule will be in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Drano Lake -- Boat anglers are catching some spring Chinook.

Effective May 1 through June 30, each angler aboard a vessel may deploy SALMON/STEELHEAD angling gear until the daily SALMON/STEELHEAD limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. In addition, anglers with a Two-Pole Endorsement may fish for salmon and steelhead with two poles during the same period.

Klickitat River -- Effort and catch are light.

Lower Columbia mainstem below Bonneville Dam -- Catch rates and stock composition were pretty much the same as the previous Monday.

Through May 15, the mainstem Columbia River is open for retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad ONLY during days and in areas open for retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook.

Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to I-5 Bridge -- Currently closed to fishing for salmon, steelhead, and shad. Scheduled to reopen May 16 for hatchery steelhead, hatchery Chinook jacks, and shad. Scheduled to be open June 16 through June 30 for hatchery adult summer Chinook and sockeye.

I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam -- Currently closed to fishing for salmon, steelhead, and shad. Scheduled to reopen May 16 for shad and June 16 for hatchery steelhead, hatchery summer Chinook, and sockeye. Scheduled to be open June 16 through June 30 for hatchery adult summer Chinook and sockeye.

Bonneville Pool -- Some spring Chinook are being caught off the bank near Drano Lake.

The Dalles and John Day pools -- Effort and spring Chinook catches are increasing.

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