SALMON FISHING -- Starting July 1, anglers will be required to rlease all chinook and sockeye with external floy tags and/or with one or more holes (round, approximately ¼ inch diameter) punched in the caudal (tail) fin. 

 The Washington Fish and Wildlife announced the rule change on  Thursday. the rule will run through Oct.15.

Location: Mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam, including the Similkameen and Okanogan rivers.

Read on for details.

Reason for action: Several fish-marking programs are currently being conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Yakama Nation and the Colville Confederated Tribes to study survival and migration patterns within the Columbia River system. Radio and/or acoustic tags will be placed inside chinook and sockeye salmon and will be identified by acolored external floy (anchor) tag below the dorsal fin.

In addition, fish will also be identified withone or more round holes (approximately ¼ inch in diameter) punched in the caudal (tail) fin. The success of these studies will be dependent upon anglers’ ability to recognize these tags and to release the fish as quickly as possible. These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.

Other information: Signs will be posted at all boat launches with additional angler information concerning these ongoing studies. Anglers, upon identifying a tagged fish, are required to release the fish without removing it from the water.

Anglers can still retain adipose-clipped salmon that are not identified with a floy tag and/or a caudal fin punch.