Anglers have two opportunities in March to meet with state fishery managers to talk about salmon and steelhead fisheries in the mid- and upper Columbia River before this year’s seasons are set.
The public is invited to two meetings to discuss pre-season forecasts and upcoming spring, summer and fall fishing seasons – particularly those for salmon and steelhead upstream from McNary Dam – with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers.
“We’ve added a meeting in Clarkston this year to give people in the area a chance to comment on this year’s salmon and steelhead seasons,” said John Whalen, regional fish manager for WDFW.
The schedule of meetings includes:
- 6 to 9 p.m., March 26 in the main lecture hall at Walla Walla Community College, 1470 Bridge St. in Clarkston.
- 6 to 8 p.m., March 27 at the Benton PUD building, 2721 W. 10th Ave. in Kennewick.
These meetings are part of the salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon, which involves representatives from federal, state and tribal governments and recreational and commercial fishing industries. Additional public meetings have been scheduled through March to discuss regional fishery issues
Final salmon fishing seasons will be adopted at the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting April 5-10 in Vancouver.
A meeting schedule, salmon forecasts and information about the salmon season-setting process for Puget Sound, the Columbia River and the Washington coast are available on WDFW’s website.
