Fishermen in Wahkiakum County can cast their lines a little longer this season as the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) rolls out the red carpet, extending the spring Chinook season on Deep River. With the update, enthusiasts can hook into action from May 17-19, get a second chance May 25-27, and get their final fix from June 12-15.
Under the new rules detailed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, anglers are allowed a daily limit of six in the combined catch of spring Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Out of these, no more than two adults can be kept, with only one adult Chinook allowed in the mix. In a nod to conservation, the regulations order that all wild steelhead must be released back to dance another day, along with any salmon that haven’t earned their hatchery stripes.
The decision swings into alignment with the Columbia River policy, following a quartet of Compact Actions that took their stage from February to May this year. It sat neatly within prescribed catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and was laser-focused on minimizing impacts to stocks of concern that could use a break.
Anglers are reminded that it's not a fishing free-for-all; the usual suspect of permanent regulations still apply. WDFW has eyes across the water, ready to monitor the fisheries like a hawk. Should the fish play their part, the department may tip the scales in favor of even more opportunities for rod-wielding enthusiasts.
