Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Date: April 24, 2008

Salmon, steelhead and shad fishing remains closed; river opens for bass, walleye

Clackamas, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the Tuesday angling closures on the Columbia River between Hayden Island and Bonneville Dam have been rescinded.

Effective immediately, angling for species other than salmon, steelhead and shad in this area will be open seven days a week. Available fisheries include bass, walleye and catch and release for sturgeon.

The Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife originally adopted the Tuesday closures in order to reduce congestion with commercial salmon fishing to be scheduled on Tuesdays, said Chris Kern, ODFW fish biologist.

However, the recreational salmon fishery was closed on April 21 and commercial fishing has been postponed until the chinook run can be updated, making the Tuesday closures unnecessary, Kern said.

The previously-adopted sturgeon season remains in effect. Anglers may retain white sturgeon in this area Thursdays through Sundays, and may catch and release sturgeon on Mondays through Wednesdays.

Angling for salmon, steelhead and shad remains closed in this area.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.