Spring Chinook fishing closes on Umatilla River May 25

PENDLETON, Ore. — The Umatilla River will be closed to spring Chinook fishing as of Saturday, May 25 through the regular season closure date of June 30 due to low returns.

The closure will be in effect from the Hwy 730 bridge to the CTUIR reservation boundary (approximately 0.7 miles above Hwy 11 bridge).

Returns to Threemile Dam are currently tracking well below the pre-season adult return prediction of 2,300 spring Chinook. To date, just over 300 adult spring Chinook have been counted at Threemile Dam.

“We don’t like to reduce fishing opportunities but we need to ensure adequate broodstock will be collected to continue the current level of hatchery spring Chinook production for the Umatilla River,” said Bill Duke, ODFW district fish biologist in Pendleton.

For the latest regulations and other fishing opportunities in Northeast Zone, visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/northeast-zone.