2017 Yakima River Fishing Reports

Lunker Alert!

06/13/2017

2017 Yakima River Fishing Reports:

WDFW FISHING RULE CHANGE

Lower Yakima River to open for spring chinook fishing

Action: Open two sections of the lower Yakima River to fishing for hatchery spring chinook salmon.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Dates: April 28 through June 15, 2017.

Locations:

Area 1: From the Hwy. 240 bridge in Richland (river mile 2.1) to the Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0), approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Prosser Dam.

Area 2: From the Wine Country Road Bridge in Prosser (1,300 feet upstream of Prosser Dam at river mile 47.3) to the State Route 241 Bridge (Sunnyside – Mabton Hwy.) at river mile 59.8

Reason for action:  Yakama Nation and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a harvestable return of 2,760 adult hatchery spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2017. Opening the two sections of the Yakima River for spring chinook will provide additional fishing opportunity

Other information:

• Daily limit of two (2) hatchery chinook.  Minimum size – 12 inches.  Hatchery salmon are identified by a missing adipose fin and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin.  Wild salmon (adipose fin intact) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

• Terminal Gear: Up to two (2), single-point, barbless hooks with a hook gap from point to shank of 3/4 inch or less when fishing for salmon. Use of bait is allowed.

• For the duration of this salmon fishery, the Yakima River is closed to all fishing within 400 feet (upstream and downstream) of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Chandler Powerhouse/Pumping Station tailrace pool at river mile 35.8.

• A Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in this fishery except for “Free Fishing Weekend,” June 10-11 (recording salmon catch on a free Catch Record Card is required on Free Fishing Weekend).

• The use of two (2) fishing poles is permitted during the salmon fishery provided the participating angler has purchased a “Two-Pole Endorsement” (in addition to the freshwater fishing license and Columbia River Salmon/Steelhead Endorsement).

• Fishing for steelhead remains closed.  All steelhead (rainbow trout greater than 20″ in total length) must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

Information contacts:  Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco); or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).

This concludes our 2017 Yakima River fishing reports.

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Lunker’s Guide 2017 Yakima River fishing reports!