2011 Spring Salmon Season Set!

This week, ODFW finalized the spring Chinook season on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers (finally!!)

The most appealing aspect of this spring, is the run forecast of nearly 105,000 fish on the Willamette which is more than double last year's run.  The much larger Columbia River has a so/so run forecast of around 200,000 fish which is about half of its 2010 run.

• Willamette River - 2 fish a day limit - No close date 
• Columbia River - 1 fish a day limit - Closes April 4th (bummer!)
• (daily maximum is 2 fish if we fish both rivers)

Keep in mind, during the spring my boat is generally fishing the Columbia down below the mouth of the Willamette, so we have an excellent chance of intercepting both salmon runs.

Also note that ODFW watches the salmon escapement over Bonneville very closely and reserve the right to shut down or extend the season as necessary.

As a reminder, here is what we're targeting (2010 pictures)

Early Season 2010 Spring Chinook

J-Law with a fair weather 2010 Springer

Tabasco Todhunter demonstrating what we don't want to catch!