State fishery managers seek input on sturgeon fishing regulations above Bonneville Dam, May 23

ODFW release – SALEM, Ore. – State fish managers from Washington and Oregon are hosting a series of public meetings in May and June to discuss sturgeon fishing regulations upstream of Bonneville Dam. ODFW and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have scheduled public meetings at the following locations:  Kennewick, Wash.: 6 to 8 p.m, Tuesday, June 11, at the Benton PUD building, 2721 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick.  Hermiston, Ore.: 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, at the Hermiston Community Center, 415 S. Hwy 395, Hermiston.  Among the topics of discussion are possible rule changes meant to improve conservation efforts and increase the abundance and survival of mature spawning-size sturgeon. Discussion topics and management recommendations include:  Extending the dates of all sturgeon spawning sanctuaries in the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Priest Rapids Dam, and in the Snake River below Ice Harbor Dam, through Aug. 31. Most of these spawning sanctuaries are currently in effect from May 1 through July 31. Extending the area of the spawning sanctuaries on the Columbia River below McNary and Priest Rapids dams. Closing sturgeon retention fishing within McNary Reservoir, inclusive of the lower Snake River below Ice Harbor Dam and the Hanford Reach below Priest Rapids Dam, due to a lack of population monitoring information. Comments can also be emailed to tucker.a.jones@state.or.us or john.a.north@state.or.us.