09/22/2026
The low blows continue to be aimed directly at sport fishermen. For the first time in history the Hanford reach will be hatchery only
Wild Chinook retention will close in Washington's Hanford Reach starting Wednesday, September 23, per a late-afternoon e-reg out from WDFW. Affects the waters from the Highway 395 bridge in Pasco to Priest Rapids Dam.
"Reason for action: WDFW has reviewed in-season estimates of run size and current harvest of unmarked fall Chinook salmon and associated impacts to natural-origin fish from recreational fisheries. Based on current harvest levels, it is necessary to shift to a mark-selective fishery for adult Chinook to extend opportunity to harvest hatchery fish while minimizing impacts on natural-origin fish."
📸 Wally S. with a Hanford Reach fall Chinook from a few seasons back.