April 24, 2014 — The Pacific Fishery Management Council has picked the highest of three potential harvest options for Chinook and coho catches off Washington and Oregon this year, reflecting an expected return to the Columbia River in excess of 1.6 million fall Chinook.
The overall non-Indian quota has been set at 116,000 Chinook and 220,000 coho, with nearly 57,000 Chinook allotted to commercial trollers–about 25 percent higher than last year's quota. Trollers will also get 35,200 coho, more than twice the number allowed last year.
Tribal ocean fisheries will be allowed to harvest 62,500 Chinook and 57,500 coho, while recreational anglers will get 59,100 Chinook and 184,800 marked coho.
South of Cape Falcon, Ore., an expected abundance of more than 600,000 fall Chinook and escapement of more than 300,000 to the Sacramento River will allow recreational fishing opportunities from April to October, and a commercial troll season that is expected to run through October. Commercial trollers were reportedly finding good fishing and great wholesale prices, getting around $10 per pound at the dock.
Read the full story at the Northwest Fishletter