Sportfishing Industry Leaders Look Forward to Another Successful Year

Dec 16, 2015 | General

Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association members and business leaders are preparing for another strong year of fishing in 2016 following a good outlook from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho fisheries managers. Members of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association met with officials from ODFW, WDFW, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Tuesday to get a better idea of how 2016’s fisheries will shape up.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThere was some good news to go around for the sportfishing industry leaders who packed into the run forecast meeting. Following last year’s record-setting run of 1.4 million Fall Chinook, anglers and businesses can look forward to the upcoming spring and summer runs with forecasters expecting average to above average returns of Columbia, Willamette, and SW Washington Kings. With nearly 450,000 angler trips in 2015 in the lower Columbia River alone, news of good returns should drive tens of millions of dollars in economic impact to sportfishing businesses and communities across the Northwest.

 

 

Forecast highlights:

  • Columbia River Upriver Spring Chinook = 188,000 – Around average
  • Upper Columbia Summer Chinook = 93,300 – Twenty thousand more than 2015 prediction
  • Willamette Spring Chinook = 70,100 – Much higher than 2015’s 55,400 forecast
  • Cowlitz = 25,100 – More than double last year’s forecast
  • Kalama = 4,900 – More than double 2015 forecast
  • Lewis = 1,100 – Equal to last year’s forecast

Predictions for Fall Chinook are still in progress, but forecasters expect returns to be in line with the extraordinary returns of recent years. Businesses and retailers serving Columbia River anglers can look forward to another outstanding season if 2016 returns hold up to the consecutive record-setting runs of 2014 and 2015. Updated forecasts for Fall 2016 runs will be available early next year.

Unfortunately forecasts for sockeye do not compare to 2015’s return which was the 3rd best on record. The 2016 prediction falls in at nearly 102,000 which is around a quarter of last year’s return. Similarly, although preliminary, Coho jack counts were below average in 2015 and 2016 could be another below average year for silvers.

Conditions in the Pacific is another issue weighing heavily on the minds of sportfishing industry leaders. ODFW Fisheries Chief, Ed Bowles says 2015 was the hottest year on record for Oregon and that is presenting a real threat to cold water species.

“One of the things we would like to work with our sportfishing partners on is working with us to find out what we can do to work on solutions together. We need to work as a state to secure our cold water assets and find how we can set ourselves up to protect our interests because we’re not getting out of this one”, says Bowles.

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from NSIA representatives to talk about recent policy shifts in Washington that now put a larger focus on the economic benefits of sportfishing when considering changes to laws or regulations.

2015 Adult Returns and 2016 Expectations Columbia RiverPreliminary Draft – December 14, 2015
Adult Returns 2015 Results 2016 Expectations
Willamette Spring Chinook(includes jacks) 55,400 predicted return to CR (18% wild)87,100 actual return to CR (16% wild)jack return (2,539) ~10-year avg. (2,100)

81,040 actual return to Willamette R.

53,088 count at falls

8,446 actual return to Clackamas

3,543 Clackamas Hatchery return

 70,100 predicted return to CRIncluding 1,400 jacks and57,500 hatchery adults

18% wild adult return

8,300 Clackamas return

 
Cowlitz River 11,200 predicted adult return vs. 23,800 actual 25,100 predicted
Kalama River 1,900 predicted adult return vs. 3,100 actual 4,900 predicted
Lewis River 1,100 predicted adult return vs. 1,000 actual 1,100 predicted
Upriver SpringChinook 232,500 predicted adult return289,000 actual return (124% of forecast)18,100 jacks (8th highest since 1980) 188,800 predictedIf correct, would be 91% of recent 10-year ave. return
Upper Columbia SummerChinook 73,000 predicted adult return~126,800 actual return (174% of forecast)~12,900 jacks (5th  highest since 1979)

Adult mark rate ~47% @ BON

 93,300 predictedMark rate 40-60%
Sockeye 394,000 predicted return512,500 actual return (3rd highest on record)High pre-spawn mortality 101,600 predicted, including2,100 Snake River stock 
Upriver SummerSteelhead 312,200 predicted return at Bonneville Dam261,400 counted at BonnevilleWell below 10-year average (348K) TBD
Bright Fall Chinook 664,700 predicted adult returnPreliminary returns estimated at 969,400 (146% of forecast; 2nd highest since 1964)75,600 Jacks at BON 9th highest since 1980 Above average and  similar to recent returns
Tule Fall Chinook 260,600 predicted adult returnPreliminary returns estimated at 288,800 (108% of forecast) Similar to recent years
Coho 539,600 predicted adult returnActual return well below prediction Reduced jack return in 2015
Shad 1.9 million run vs.10-yr average of 3.1 million Strong run expected
Smelt Apparently a good return (11.4 M lbs based on spawning stock biomass (SSB)), but less than 2015 Indicators mixed; modest run expected
White Sturgeon Legal estimate 143,900 (vs. 131,000 in 2014)Adult abundance and recruitment remain low Legal projection 147,100

 

Recreational Fisheries
 

2015 Results

2016 Expectations
Willamette River Spring Chinook
Lower Willamette Open 7 days/week under permanent regs94,355 angler trips (Mar 2-June 21)13,324 adults kept (1,870 released)

88% mark rate

 Permanent regulations likely
Clackamas River 3,306 angler trips below River Mill Dam412 adults kept (52 released) Permanent regulations likely
Washington Tributary Spring Chinook
Cowlitz River 7 days/week; 2 fish bag; 3 adults starting May 173,700 adults kept Permanent regulations likely
Kalama River 7 days/week; 1 fish bag; 2 adults starting May 171,000 adults kept Permanent regulations likely
Lewis River Closed March 1No adults kept Fishery restrictions likely
Columbia River Fisheries
Lower Columbia Spring Season Spring Chinook open:

  • B10-I-5 Bridge; Jan-Feb; 7 d/wk; 2 Chinook bag (perm rules)
  • B10-BON: Mar 1-Apr 11 and Apr 16,

­   Bank only Beacon R to BON

­   Closed Tuesdays (3/24, 3/31, 4/7)

  • Tongue Point-BON: May 2-3, 9 and 16-29

­   Bank only Beacon R to BON

  • Tongue Point-BON May 30-June 15
  • One Chinook bag (except 2 fish effective 6/3)
  • 151,173 angler trips
  • 19,586 adult Chinook kept (5,052 released)
  • 1,181 steelhead kept (724 released)
  • Chinook retention open 74 days (69%) of 107 days from Mar 1 – Jun 15
 Season TBD
Bonn toOR/WA borderSpring Season Spring Chinook open:

  • Mar 16-May 10, and May 28-June 15
  • One Chinook bag through 6/2, 2 fish bag 6/3-15
  • 9,936 angler trips
  • 1,646 adult Chinook kept (500 released)

 

 Season TBD
Snake RiverSpring Season Spring Chinook open:

  • Four sections open 3d/wk
  • Staggered openings beginning Apr 19, all sections closed by May 12
  • Re-opened June 4-30
  • 1,900 adult Chinook kept (383 released)

 

 Season TBD

 

Columbia River Recreational Fisheries  (continued)
Summer Season Summer Chinook open:

  • Jun 16-July 31 Astoria Bridge to OR/WA border
  • Bag limit: 2 hatchery Chinook June 16-July 2

2 adults/one Chinook July 3-31

  • 50,555 angler trips below BON,

­   Chinook: 5,928 adults kept (record);

­   1,491 released

­   Sockeye: 958 kept (436 released)

­   Steelhead: 4,560 kept (3,068 released)

  • Jun 16-Jul 31 BON to OR/WA border

­   622 Chinook adults kept (162 released)

  • Jun 16-Jul 31 OR/WA border to PRD

­   115 Chinook adults kept (131 released)

  • Jul 1-Aug 31 upstream of PRD
  • Bag limit:   2 hatchery Chinook
  • Upstream of PRD (includes tributaries):

­   4,121 Chinook kept (4,678 released)

­   27,360 sockeye kept

 Season TBD at NOFAllocation (70/30) 

 
Fall SeasonBuoy 10 Fall Chinook open:

  • Aug 1-23 (MSF Aug 24-28) 1 Chinook bag
  • Oct 1-Dec 31 – 2 Chinook bag
  • Coho retention open entire season
  • 108,213 angler trips
  • 36,422 Chinook kept (2nd highest); (23,553 rel.)
  • 36,859 Coho kept (23,196 released)
 Season TBD at NOF2016 Chinook objectives:

Chinook retention through Labor Day

 

LCR tules remain a constraint
Fall SeasonLCR Sport Fall Chinook open:

  • Tongue Pt.-Warrior R:

­   Aug 1-Sep 7, Sep 8-14 (MSF); 1 Chinook bag

­   Oct 1-Dec 31.  2 Chinook bag

  • Warrior R. to BON:  Aug 1-Dec 31.

­   2 Chinook bag to Steamboat

­   3 Chinook bag Steamboat – BON

  • “Party Boat” rules in effect all season
  • 131,374 angler trips
  • 41,525 adult Chinook kept (record; 6,045 rel)
  •  995 Coho kept (606 released)
  • 4,212 steelhead kept (2,605 released)
 Season TBD at NOF
2016 Chinook objectives:TP-WR – thru Sept 7, then  one week MSF (Sep 8-14)WR-BON – full season

 

LCR tules remain a constraint

 
Fall SeasonBON- Hwy 395 Fall Chinook open:

  • Aug 1-Dec 31; 2 Chinook bag
  • 13,300 Chinook kept
 Similar to recent years
Sturgeon Closed to retention except upstream of Bonneville Dam and Willamette Falls TBD
Shad
  • 12,000 trips; 47,300 kept in LCR
  • 4,516 trips; 18,224 kept in LWR (through 6/28)
 Large populationNo changes to fishery
Smelt
  • Cowlitz open 2 days Feb 7 and 14
  • Sandy open 2 days Mar 7 and 15
  • ~290,800 pounds landed
 TBD

 

 

Columbia River Commercial Fisheries

 

2015 Results

2016 Expectations
Columbia River Fisheries
Winter Sturgeon No retention in 2015 TBD
Winter/Spring
  • 8 periods Mar 31-June 11 (89-hrs); All Z1-5

­5 tangle net (Mar 31-May 13)

­3 large mesh (May 27-June 11)

  • 6,460 adult hatchery Chinook (3,738 released)
  • 771 Chinook jacks; 55 sockeye
 TBD
Summer
  • 3 periods (June 17-22); 8-12 hrs each
  • Zones 1-5; large mesh gear (8” min.)
  •  3,938 Chinook, 329 sockeye
 TBDAllocation (70/30)
August(Early Fall)
  • Aug 9 – 31, 10 periods; 9 hrs ea (4 on 8/31)
  • Zones 4-5; 9” min mesh
  • 20-126 deliveries per period
  • 33,421 CHF; 155 Coho
 TBDLCR tules remain a constraint 
Late Fall
  • Chinook directed:

­4 periods Sep 15-28, Z4-5, 8”, 9-10 hrs ea

­1 period Oct 8, Z1-5, 8-inch, 10 hrs

­Constrained by Wild B STH impacts

  • Coho directed (Z 1-3):

­3 periods Oct 1-7; tangle net (MSF)

­2 periods Oct 12-20; 6” max.

­47,589 CHF; 4,002 coho

 TBDLCR tules remain a constraintWild B STH can be a constraint
Commercial Seine Pilot Research Seine Fishery (MSF)

  • 23 periods Aug 24 – Sep 30, 13-14 hrs ea.
  • 9 permits issued (5 beach + 4 purse)
  • 6 permits with landings:

– 2 beach; 4 purse (2 boats)

  • Landing limits & observation program
  • 2,993 Chinook (230 jacks) kept
  • 587 Coho (23 jacks) kept
  • 4,237 Chinook, 734 Coho, 477 steelhead rel.
 TBD
Shad 2S fishery open per permanent regulations

  • May 10-Jun 20, 569 shad (record low)
  • No experimental gear permits issued
 Area 2S fishery; experimental gear permits possible
Smelt
  • Mainstem only; Feb 2 – 26, 2d/wk, Z 1-3
  • 16,546 pounds landed
 TBD
Select Area Fisheries
Winter/Spring
  • Above average season

­Winter – 891 Chinook

­Spring –10,997 Chinook (best since 2010)

 ~9,200 predicted returnSeason structure similar to 2015
Summer(YB only)
  • Similar to recent 5-year average

­   1,779 Chinook

 Season structure similar to 2015
Fall
  • Below average season

­18,227 Chinook (79% of 5-year ave)

­28,800 Coho (42% of 5-year ave)

 Season structure similar to 2015

 

2015-2016 Columbia River Process Schedule(Preliminary Draft)
Dec 2, 20154p-6p Columbia River Recreational Advisor Group meeting

  • LCR white sturgeon update
  • Smelt update
  • 2015 fishery review
 NW RegionClackamas, OR
Dec 3, 201410a-1p Columbia River Commercial Advisor Group meeting

  • LCR white sturgeon update
  • Smelt update
  • 2015 fisheries review
 City HallRainier, OR
Dec 3, 2015 Columbia River Fisherman’s Protective Union HumpsClatskanie, OR
Dec 14, 20151p-3p Staff meeting with Salmon for All

  • 2015 results and 2016 expectations
 Grace Episcopal ChurchAstoria, OR
Dec 15, 20151p-4p Staff meeting with Northwest Sport Fishing Industry Assoc.

  • 2015 results and 2016 expectations
 NW RegionClackamas, OR
Dec 22, 2015 Joint State Hearing for Zone 6 (BON) recreational sturgeon Phone
Jan 12, 2016 Columbia River Commercial Advisor Group Meeting

  • Spring and summer Chinook
 City HallRainier, OR
Jan 13. 2016 Columbia River Recreational Advisor Group Meeting

  • Spring and summer Chinook
 WDFWVancouver, WA
Jan 13, 20167p-8:30p Select Area Fisheries Public Meeting

  • 2015 results; 2016 season structure discussion
 Holiday InnAstoria, OR
Jan 22-23, 2016 Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission

  • Review of Lower Columbia River Sturgeon Management Policy C-3001 – Briefing (tentative)
  • Columbia River Fishery Management/Reform–

Policy C- 3620 Briefing (tentative)

 TBDVancouver, WA
Jan 27, 201610a CR Compact/Joint State Hearing

  • Commercial winter/spring fishing plans
  • SAFE commercial fisheries
  • Recreational salmon
 Clark WastewaterVancouver, WA
TBD(Feb 11-12 or Mar 18)  Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission

  • Columbia River Fishery Management/Reform – Briefing
  • Lower Columbia River White Sturgeon  – Briefing
 TBD

2016 Ocean Fishery Process Schedule (Preliminary Draft)

TBD(Late Feb) Ocean Salmon Industry Group

  • 2016 forecasts
  • Initial discussions of 2016 season options
 Hallmark Resort HotelNewport, OR(tentative)
TBD(Late Feb) WDFW Public Meeting

  • 2016 forecasts and fishing opportunities
 TBDLikely WDFW HQOlympia, WA
Mar 9-14 Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC)

  • Adopt initial 2016 ocean salmon options for public review
 Double Tree HotelSacramento, CA 
Mid-March(Mar 16?) 2016 Columbia R North of Falcon TBDVancouver, WA
Mar XX North of Falcon #1 (Public Meetings)

  • Salmon season negotiations for Columbia River, Puget Sound, Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and ocean areas north of Cape Falcon, OR
 TBDLikely WDFW HQOlympia, WA
Mar 28 PFMC Public Options Hearing

  • Public input on 2016 season options
 TBDLikely Red Lion HotelCoos Bay, OR
TBD(Late Mar) North of Falcon  #2 (Public Meetings)

  • Mar XX – WDFW w/tribes
  • Mar XX –  WDFW w/Puget Sound and PS
 TBDLikely Embassy SuitesLynwood, WA
TBD(Early April) North of Falcon  #2 (Public Meetings)

  • Apr XX – Ocean and Columbia River
  • Apr XX – Grays Harbor
 TBDLikely WDFW HQOlympia, WA
Apr 9 -14 Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC)

  • Adopt 2016 ocean salmon fishery regulations
 Hilton HotelVancouver, WA
Apr 22 Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission

  • Adopt state water ocean salmon fishery regulations
 TBD