Anglers eyeing the Columbia River for spring Chinook fishing above Bonneville Dam have just received some disappointing news. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in conjunction with Oregon's department, has decided to end the fishery earlier than planned, closing it down on April 30. According to a statement obtained by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the call was made after it became clear that the pre-established catch limits for the recreational fishing of upriver spring Chinook have been met.

While the season was initially set to stretch until May 2nd, fishery managers had to respond to the quicker-than-expected rate at which the angling community reached the harvest threshold. "While it’s disappointing to close earlier than anticipated, our foremost priority is to responsibly manage the upriver spring Chinook fishery," Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River Fishery Manager with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement. He stressed that the preemptive closure was a necessary step to ensure sustainability and the possibility of additional fishing opportunities in the future.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, responsible for forecasting and monitoring fish returns, has yet to deliver an updated report on the run size of the upriver spring Chinook, which traditionally comes mid-May. Fishery officials will remain vigilant and reassess as new data become available, potentially leading to future fishing openings.

Despite the closure above Bonneville Dam, there’s still a silver lining for fishing aficionados. Waters in Drano Lake, Wind River, and other tributaries below Bonneville Dam will keep their doors open to spring Chinook anglers. For those planning a fishing trip, the latest regulations and emergency rule changes can be found in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, and updates are also sent out to those subscribed to the Columbia River fishery notices mailing list. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's mission, as noted by the department, is to conserve fish and wildlife habitats while providing recreational and commercial experiences that are sustainable in the long haul.