ODFW Announces Opening of Spring Chinook Fishery in Hells Canyon April 22
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, April 14th, 2023 in Featured Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE – (Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) The Snake River will be open for the retention of hatchery Chinook salmon, effective April 22 through Aug. 10, 2023.
According to pre-season projections, over 2,000 hatchery spring Chinook are expected to return to the base of Hells Canyon Dam. Of these, approximately 400 adult hatchery-origin fish will be collected for broodstock, leaving surplus fish available for treaty and non-treaty fisheries.
“This is one of the most consistent salmon fishing opportunities in the area,” said Kyle Bratcher, District Fish Biologist in Enterprise. “The run usually peaks in late May to early June and fishing early will be slow, but we like to give anglers a chance at these fish when they arrive,” Bratcher noted.
Anglers can fish for hatchery Chinook salmon from Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam. The daily bag limit is four hatchery Chinook, of which only two of them can be adults over 24 inches and the rest should be jacks. Once anglers retain two adult Chinook or a total of four hatchery Chinook, they must stop fishing for the day. Barbless hooks are also required.
Anglers are reminded that bull trout may be present in the area but cannot be kept. Anglers can refer to page 14 of the 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for further information on identifying and releasing bull trout.
All other sport fishing regulations remain in effect. Remember to always check for in-season regulation changes before fishing by checking your zone in the Recreation Report – Fishing Report and clicking the Regulation Updates tab, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/snake-zone
