Action: Sets closure for Chinook fishery below Little Goose Dam after May 19 and opens two days of spring Chinook salmon fishing below Ice Harbor Dam May 20–21.
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Specific Locations and open dates for salmon:
Below Little Goose Dam – Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (located on the south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) upstream to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone includes both shores and the rock and concrete area between the juvenile bypass return pipe and Little Goose Dam along the south shoreline of the facility (includes the walkway area locally known as "the Wall" in front of the juvenile collection facility):
- Salmon open May 15 and 19, 2026, only.
Below Ice Harbor Dam: Snake River from the South Bound Highway 12 Bridge near Pasco upstream about 7 miles to the fishing restriction boundary below Ice Harbor Dam:
- Salmon open May 20 and 21, 2026, only.
Salmon rules:
- Minimum size 12 inches. Daily Limit four hatchery (adipose clipped) Chinook including no more than one adult.
- Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
- Anglers must stop fishing for salmon when the adult limit has been retained.
- Barbless hooks required.
- Night Closure in effect.
Reason for action: An update was provided to the 2026 Columbia River return of upriver spring Chinook salmon. While the update is slightly below the preseason forecast, the removal of the 30% buffer increased the quota for the Snake River fishery. The new quota will allow for opportunity at Little Goose through May 19 and two days of fishing below Ice Harbor dam. Harvest opportunity on the Snake River based on WDFW Commission Policy C-3630. The U.S. v. Oregon (2018-2027) Management Agreement provides Endangered Species Act coverage for this fishery.
Additional information: Current allocation based on in season update is 630 fish, for recreational fisheries in the Snake River (harvest plus release mortalities), compared the preseason forecast (with 30% buffer applied) of 491 fish (harvest plus release mortalities).
Adult Chinook are 24 inches or longer. Adipose fin-clipped Chinook salmon that may be retained must have a healed scar at the location of the missing fin. All Chinook salmon with the adipose fin intact, all bull trout, and steelhead must be immediately released unharmed.
Anglers cannot remove any Chinook salmon or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of the daily limit.
WDFW will monitor this fishery and the returns of spring Chinook throughout the season and may close the fishery at any time due to harvest levels, ESA impacts, in-season run adjustments, or any combination thereof. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for spring Chinook in the Snake River.
Anglers are reminded to refer to the 2025/2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including safety closures, CLOSED WATERS, etc.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist, Eastern Region: 509-382-1005