OLYMPIA -- The fall chinook fishing season will close on the Columbia River from the blue bridge in Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam at midnight today because of a higher than expected harvest, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said.
Biologists decided to close the season eight days early on the Hanford Reach because of concerns fewer adult chinook would be left to spawn.
The 2009 harvest is "well above" what was expected and already has surpassed the 2008 catch by 40 percent, according to the department.
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Chinook season looks strong for 2012
Chinook season looks strong for 2012
It's only a matter of time before the first migrating spring chinook is hooked by a lucky angler in the Lower Columbia River.
We already know this fish will be among a strong forecast of 414,500, which could lead to the fourth-largest return of upriver spring chinook on record.
Fishing is open daily from Buoy 10 in the Lower Columbia up to I-5. The fishery expands upriver to Beacon Rock from March 1 to April 6 (closed March 20, March 27 and April 3), and possibly longer depending in the catch rate.
CLOSED: Wind, snow, avalanche danger close Chinook, Cayuse passes
CLOSED: Wind, snow, avalanche danger close Chinook, Cayuse passes
Several feet of snowfall over the weekend sent Chinook (Highway 410) and Cayuse (Highway 123) passes into hibernation for the season.
Crews temporarily closed the passes on Friday, Nov. 11, due to avalanche danger. Today, the Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance engineers made the call – both passes will remain closed until spring. The risk of avalanche is too great to keep the passes open, officials say.
Chinook and Cayuse passes endured a combination of snow and strong wind that left snow drifts blocking both lanes of the highways. The next major storm is expected to arrive Wednesday.
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On Nov. 3 in ...
* 2009 -- Drydn Dow scored two goals and Drew Owsley had 25 saves as the Tri-City Americans defeated the Kamloops Blazers 8-3 in Western Hockey League play.
* 2001 -- McKenzie Burgess had 22 kills, six blocks and nine digs as Kiona-Benton defeated Grandview 2-1 to win the CWAC district volleyball title and earn the No. 1 seed to next week's state tournament.
Commission calls for early end to sturgeon gillnet season
Commission calls for early end to sturgeon gillnet season
The Coastal Conservation Association is calling for an end to the winter sturgeon gillnet season in the lower Columbia River to reduce handling of the dwindling population.
"It is an unneeded season on fish that are in serious trouble,'' said Bruce Polley, CCA Oregon government relations committee chairman. "Because this season is unnecessary to access the commercial quota, it results in an increase in discarded sturgeon in fall salmon/sturgeon gillnet fisheries.''
Historically, the winter sturgeon season has been in January and early to mid-February.
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On Oct. 25 in ...
* 1993 -- The Tri-City Chinook announced that it was getting back two of its veterans from the previous season. Forward Jeff Stern was released by the Golden State Warriors, while point guard A.J. Wynder was let go by the Los Angeles Clippers.
* 1984 -- Jan Fredenburg and Janet Burkholter finished 1-2 for the Hanford girls cross country team, which defeated Selah 22-35 in a Mid-Valley League match.
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