Section of Upper Columbia River to open for hatchery steelhead and coho

BREWSTER - A section of the Upper Columbia River will open for hatchery steelhead and coho salmon fishing on October 16.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced that fishing will be permitted from the Beebe Bridge (Highway 97) to the Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster, starting one hour before official sunrise on the opening date.

This conservation fishery addresses hatchery steelhead returning to select areas of the Upper Columbia River in excess of spawning escapement and broodstock needs. Anglers removing excess hatchery fish will increase the proportion of wild steelhead on the spawning grounds.

The daily limit is two hatchery steelhead or two coho, or one of each. The minimum size for steelhead is 20 inches, while coho must be at least 12 inches. All other salmon species and wild steelhead must be released.

Regulations include mandatory retention of hatchery steelhead and immediate release of steelhead with an intact adipose fin. These fish must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water prior to release.

Selective gear rules will be in effect, but bait is allowed. A night closure will be implemented for the duration of the fishing season.

The WDFW will monitor this fishery and may close it if allowable impact rates to wild steelhead are met. Anglers can check the WDFW website at https://ncw.social/mterkkm7 for emergency rule updates or subscribe to the Fishing Rule Changes email list.