SALEM, OR — The Buoy 10 salmon fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River opens to coho and Chinook fishing Friday, and the 1.5 million Chinook salmon that are predicted to return to the mouth of the Columbia this year could set a modern record. The Buoy 10 fishery is the first Columbia River fishery that will encounter these anticipated large returns. With thousands of anglers expected to hit the water in the next few weeks, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a few reminders.
The biggest change for the 2014 season is the establishment of the Youngs Bay Closure Zone at the mouth of the Youngs River. This area will be closed to salmon fishing from August 1st to September 15th. The Zone was required by fishery legislation passed in 2013 and was established by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in February to reduce the interception of hatchery fish returning to the Youngs Bay commercial fishery.
A map of the zone is available on the ODFW Web site.
Also, like all other Columbia River salmon fisheries, barbless hooks and a Columbia River Basin Endorsement will be required of Oregon anglers fishing at Buoy 10.
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