Grays River to open early for fishing

The mainstem and West Fork Grays River will open two weeks early to fishing for hatchery spring chinook and hatchery steelhead from May 17 through June 5 on the Mainstem Grays from the mouth to the South Fork and West Fork Grays from the mouth to the hatchery intake/footbridge.

The salmon and steelhead daily limit is six fish of which no more than two may be hatchery adult chinook or hatchery steelhead or one of each. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Wild chinook and wild steelhead must be released. Release all fish except hatchery chinook and hatchery steelhead.

A Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement is required.

The mainstem and West Fork Grays will open to fishing for hatchery spring chinook and hatchery steelhead as scheduled on the first Saturday in June (which occurs on June 6 this year). Bait may be used during these seasons but barbless hooks are required.

Under the recently adopted permanent regulations, effective July 1, the hatchery steelhead daily limit will be three fish. All hatchery steelhead must be retained - no catch-and-release.

Effective June 6, the hatchery chinook daily limit will be six fish of which no more than two may be adults.

Spring chinook strays from the nearby Select Area Fishery Evaluation sites have been found in the system. These fish are not needed for broodstock.

Opening the mainstem and West Fork Grays two weeks early will allow additional opportunity to harvest surplus hatchery spring chinook and hatchery steelhead.

For more information call (360) 696-6211.