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Salmon Anglers in Hells Canyon Limited to 1 Wild Chinook per Day by Staff Baker City Herald, August 18, 2026

Steelhead anglers might not be
purposefully targeting fall chinook

ENTERPRISE -- For the second straight year, chinook salmon anglers on the Snake River in Hells Canyon will have restrictions on keeping wild salmon.

The chinook season started Tuesday, Aug. 18, although a state fish biologist said few salmon have migrated into Hells Canyon so far.

During the season, which continues through Oct. 31 on the Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to the Washington border, anglers can keep only one wild chinook per day as part of the daily bag limit of three adult salmon.

This applies to salmon longer than 24 inches and with an intact adipose fin.

The limit on wild fish is due to an expected smaller-than-average number of salmon returning.

"That means we need to be cautious," Kyle Bratcher, district fish biologist at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Enterprise office, said in a press release. "By tightening the retention of wild adults, we stay within ESA impact limits and help ensure we have enough allowable take to keep our popular steelhead fisheries open."

Although steelhead anglers might not be purposefully targeting fall chinook, some catch is expected, and ODFW is accounting for that possibility with the limit on keeping wild fish.

"Anglers depend on these fisheries throughout the fall, and protecting wild chinook now is key to keeping steelhead seasons viable," Bratcher said. "These steps allow us to maintain opportunity while upholding our conservation responsibilities."

During the 2025 season, ODFW prohibited anglers from keeping any wild chinook starting on Sept. 19.