(Klamath) The yearly recreational quota of adult fall-run Chinook salmon has been met in the lower Klamath River and size restrictions went into effect on Sept. 5, 2014.
The 2014 lower river quota of 2,064 adult fall-run Chinook salmon below the Highway 96 Bridge was met Sept. 4, triggering the annual size restriction. Beginning Friday anglers can continue to fish, but Chinook salmon over 22 inches must be released, according to an announcement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Anglers can keep up to three fish under 22 inches caught in the Klamath River below the Highway 96 bridge at Weitchepec.
The quota for the Klamath River above the confluence with the Trinity River will remain open until 702 adult Chinook salmon are caught.
The quota on the Trinity River is 681 adult Chinook salmon from the confluence with the Klamath River up to Cedar Flat and 681 adult Chinook from Cedar Flat up to the Old Lewiston Bridge.
Anglers may keep track of the status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling 1-800-564-6479.
“The best Klamath salmon season for me in quite a few years is done with the adult quota for sport fisherman having been met,” said Jerry Lampkin of TNG Motor Sports Guide Service. “We can still fish for jacks, but good luck on that one. You will release 2 adults for every jack you can hook.”
Lampkin has now switched over to steelhead fishing for the next couple of weeks.
“To say that Fish and Wildlife miscalculated this years return is a gross understatement, in my opinion,” said Lampkin. “3 years from now is going to be a barn burner if we can keep water in the river.”
Lampkin reported catching many fish over 20 pounds on the Klamath this year. His three biggest fish were 26, 25-3/4 and 25-3/4 pounds.
The increased releases on the Trinity River below Lewiston Dam, the result of intense political pressure by the Hoopa, Yurok and Karuk Tribes, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and grassroots river advocates, are responsible for the cooler water temperatures and improved conditions for salmon on the lower Klamath that anglers enjoyed recently.
The flows in the Klamath River Below Iron Gate Dam are 1020 cfs. Flows in the Klamath River Near Klamath are 2550 cfs, with a water temperature of 69.08 degrees.