Hatchery steelhead limits rise on Klickitat River; upper river opens early for hatchery spring chinook

Action: The hatchery steelhead daily limit will be increased to 3 fish.

Up to two hatchery adult spring chinook may be kept as part of the daily limit for salmon on the upper Klickitat River.

Effective dates: June 1 until further notice

Species affected: Salmon and trout, including hatchery steelhead

Locations:

Lower Klickitat River from the mouth upstream to the Fisher Hill Bridge (located approximately 3 miles upstream from the mouth);

Upper Klickitat River from 400 feet upstream from #5 fishway (located about one-half mile upstream from the Fisher Hill Bridge) to the boundary markers below the Klickitat Salmon Hatchery and from the boundary markers above the hatchery to the Yakama Reservation boundary.

Other information: On the lower Klickitat, the trout daily limit is 3 hatchery steelhead. Release all other trout. On the upper Klickitat, the trout daily limit is 3 fish of which no more than 2 may be other than hatchery steelhead. Wild steelhead must be released.

On the lower and upper Klickitat, the salmon daily limit is 6 hatchery chinook of which no more than two may be adults. Wild chinook must be released.

Anglers are reminded there are closed waters from Fisher Hill Bridge to 400 feet upstream from #5 fishway and from the boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery to the boundary markers just upstream of the hatchery. The section upstream from the salmon hatchery remains closed to fishing for salmon.

Reasons for action: This will implement new permanent rules recently adopted during the game fish and North of Falcon salmon regulation processes. Since 2009, the upper Klickitat has been opened for adult salmon via emergency regulation from early to mid-June. Trout, including hatchery steelhead, season opens June 1. This regulation will match that season and eliminate the need for salmon emergency regulations in the future and provide a consistent opening date for both salmon and trout (steelhead).

For hatchery steelhead, the daily limit is increased to 3 fish. These fish are not needed for hatchery broodstock and are available for harvest.

Information contact: (360) 696-6211. For latest information press *1010.