Spring Chinook fishery closed in Hells Canyon as of June 4

Enterprise, Ore. – Spring Chinook fishing in Hells Canyon will be closed starting June 4, after harvest quotas for the season were reached earlier than anticipated due to a run size downgrade.

Spring Chinook fishing on the Snake River is open April 22 to Aug. 17 under permanent regulations but returns to the Snake River have come in below preseason expectations this year. Fewer fish than expected are successfully making the journey from Bonneville Dam to the Snake River, prompting fishery managers to close the season early to ensure management objectives are met.

Oregon and Idaho are coordinating this action to maintain consistent regulations across shared Snake River fisheries.

"We understand how important this opportunity is to local anglers, and early closures are never easy," said Kyle Bratcher, District Fish Biologist in Enterprise. "But with returns lagging, lower mainstem migratory success, and a reduction in harvest allowances, closure of the fishery is the responsible step to protect the run moving forward."

The closure applies to the Snake River from the Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam from June 4 to Aug. 17.

Anglers are reminded to always check for in-season regulation changes in their zone before fishing, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing.

https://myodfw.com/articles/regulation-updates#snake-zone