PENDLETON, Ore. – ODFW will close recreational spring Chinook retention in the Umatilla River Basin from April 16 through June 30, 2021.

The closure will be in effect from the mouth of the Umatilla River, near Highway 730 bridge, to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) boundary (approximately 0.7 miles above Hwy 11 bridge).

The closure extends from the mouth of the Umatilla upstream to the (CTUIR) reservation boundary and from the upper border of the reservation to the Umatilla headwaters including all tributaries.

Managers are predicting a very low to modest adult return of both wild and hatchery spring Chinook salmon to the Umatilla River Basin. Broodstock is necessary for continued hatchery operations and the adult return estimate is not adequate to meet those needs and allow for a recreational fishery.

A predicated spring Chinook return to the mouth of the Umatilla of 1,500 fish is needed to trigger a fishery. The pre-season estimate is 876 spring Chinook adults returning to the mouth of the Umatilla.

Fish biologists will monitor returns and the season may reopen at a later date if there is a larger than expected return.

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