Compact considering commercial, recreational season dates

The Columbia River Compact met April 1 to consider additional non-Indian mainstem commercial fishing periods. The compact took no action, meaning no fishery was set.

The Columbia River remains closed to commercial fishing.

The compact will meet next Monday to consider non-Indian mainstem commercial fishing periods

Compact biologists had recommended a commercial opening on Tuesday. Based on the low number of steelhead encountered, the increasing number of chinook per drift and the April 2 sport angling closure, staff recommended a 6.5 hour commercial fishing period.

A joint state hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 3 to review the ongoing sport fishery downstream of Bonneville Dam. The original recreation season was set for March 1 through April 5.