Wild fall chinook harvest now open in the Snake River, north of the Hells Canyon Dam
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, October 6th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE – Following a temporary closure last month, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) recently announced that wild fall chinook salmon harvesting has re-opened as of Saturday, October 4. This applies to all wild chinook salmon harvesting in the Snake River from the Oregon/Washington border upstream to the Hells Canyon Damn. All other local fishing regulations remain unchanged. For more information on the recent closure and reopening of harvest, see the following release from ODFW:
(Press Release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
The reopening follows a temporary closure implemented in September to ensure fisheries remained within agreed harvest limits.
During the closure, managers continued to monitor run strength and passage numbers at Snake River dams. Updated information now indicates that enough harvest opportunity exists to resume fisheries targeting both adipose-clipped and adipose-intact fall Chinook salmon.
High water temperatures led to delays in Chinook migration and questions about how many fish would survive the trip. However, recently cooling water temperatures have spurred those fish to continue their migration providing managers with enough confidence to reopen harvest of wild fish while continuing to meet conservation objectives.
“This reopening reflects improved in-river conditions and passage at mainstem Columbia and Snake River Dams along with careful management with our tribal and state partners,” said Kyle Bratcher, ODFW District Fish Biologist in Enterprise. “We are glad to see those fish finally show up and be able to provide a hardier fishery to eager anglers.”
The reopening applies to the Snake River from the Oregon/Washington border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. All other fishing regulations remain unchanged.
Anglers are reminded to check the Fishing Regulations Update webpage for the most up-to-date regulations before heading out.
