Action: Opens spring Chinook salmon fishing on the Snake River Below Little Goose Dam for one day. 

Effective date: Friday, June 10, 2022 (one day only). 

Species affected: Chinook salmon.  

Location: Below Little Goose Dam: Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes both shores and the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as “the Wall” in front of the juvenile collection facility). 

Rules: Daily Limit 4 hatchery (adipose-clipped) Chinook, of which two may be adults. Min. size 12”. Barbless hooks required. Night closure in effect. Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained. 

Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily bag limit.   

Reason for action: After reviewing Snake River harvest and with another small run size increase there is enough allocation for the Snake River to offer a one-day opener at Little Goose. The 2022 Columbia River return of upriver spring Chinook salmon is sufficiently abundant to allow for harvest opportunity on the Snake River based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3630. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act coverage for this fishery. 

Additional information: Jack Chinook are less than 24 inches long, adults are 24 inches or longer. The adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that can be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, as well as all bull trout and steelhead, must be immediately released unharmed.  

Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including safety closures, CLOSED WATERS, etc.  

Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist 509-382-1005