2015 Columbia River Fishing Report

2015 Upper Columbia River Fishing Report
November 19, 2015
2015 Sixes River Fishing Report
November 22, 2015

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Shane Magnuson of Upper Columbia Guide Service


 

 

Lunker Alert!

 

2015 Columbia River Fishing Report:

 

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov

 

11/20/2015

 

Fishing closes for steelhead, rainbows on Methow, sections of upper Columbia rivers; whitefish fishing closes on Methow

 

Action: Closure of steelhead and rainbow fishing on the upper Columbia and Methow rivers, and whitefish fishing on the Methow River.

Species affected: Steelhead, rainbow trout and whitefish.

Effective dates: One hour after official sunset on Nov. 22, 2015.

Locations closed:

  1. Mainstem Columbia River: From the powerlines crossing the Columbia River approximately 3/4 mile downstream of Wells Dam to the Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster.
  2. Methow River: From the mouth to the confluence of the Chewuch River in Winthrop.

Reason for action: The updated forecast to estimate natural-origin steelhead abundance and creel information in the Methow River basin indicates that the allowable mortality of Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead due to angling (catch and release mortality) will reach the maximum limit for the waters listed above. 

Other Information: Tributaries remaining open to steelhead fishing until further notice include:

  1. Okanogan River: From the mouth to the Hwy. 97 Bridge in Oroville.
  2. Similkameen River: From the mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam.
  3. Columbia River from the Hwy. 173 bridge at Brewster to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam

Also, the Columbia River from Rock Island Dam to the powerlines crossing the Columbia River at Doroga State Park, and the lower Wenatchee and Entiat Rivers opened Nov. 20 to the retention of adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead and rainbow until further notice. For details, check the fishing rule change at https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1724

Anglers should be aware that fishing rules are subject to change and that rivers can close at any time due to impacts on natural-origin steelhead. Adhering to the mandatory retention of adipose-clipped steelhead is vital in allowing the fishery to continue and to provide the maximum benefit to natural-origin fish.

WDFW is conducting a steelhead radio telemetry study in the Columbia River upstream of the Yakima River over the next two years to help inform abundance estimates. Radio tagged fish will have what appears to be a heavy braided line extending from the mouth/throat of the fish. Anglers should not attempt to remove the tag unless the fish is legal to harvest. When a radio tagged hatchery fish is harvested, anglers should report and return the tag per instructions written on the radio tag. WDFW appreciates the voluntary cooperation from the public in the management of fish populations.

Information contact: Ryan Fortier, Methow-Okanogan District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316; Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager (Ephrata), (509) 754-4624, ext. 224.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.

 

This concludes our 2015 Columbia River Fishing Report

 


Upper Columbia River Water Flow Rates

Columbia River Discharge Rate 11-20-2015

 


 

Upper Columbia River Water Levels

Columbia River Water Levels 11-20-2015

 


 

 

 

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Lunker’s Guide 2015 Columbia River fishing Report!

 

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