Faced with one of the best fishing years in decades for coho salmon, but shackled by a limited quota, federal managers will close all salmon fishing off the mouth of the Columbia River starting Monday.
In a conference telephone call Thursday, federal and state managers agreed the quota for hatchery coho salmon will likely be virtually reached after Sunday’s fishing between Cape Falcon (Manzanita) and Leadbetter Point (Washington).
Biologists on the call said coho catch rates in the popular spot are among half dozen of the best fishing years since 2009.
While the area’s chinook guideline is far from being met, that fishing must close as well to eliminate the incidental mortality of coho from being caught and released.
Managers also agreed that boats cannot possess salmon onboard in the area, which eliminates the prospect of boats launching from Columbia River locations and traveling north past Leadbetter Point or south past Cape Falcon to fish then return.
Unlike in years past, biologists said there are no options this year to shift available allocations from either commercial seasons or other fishing zones.
Sportfishing remains open in the ocean south of Cape Falcon and north of Leadbetter Point.
The Columbia River is also open to salmon fishing from Buoy 10 upriver.
Buoy 10 note: Anglers need to be on the lookout for a small group of swimmers in the water upriver from the Megler Bridge at 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
They’re swimming Knappton Cove on the Washington shore to the Maritime Museum in Astoria.
The fund-raising effort is scheduled to last until 10 a.m., with swimmers accompanied by jet skis and boats.
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