Summer chinook salmon fishing to close on Columbia River

Summer chinook fishing will close on the Columbia River on Friday evening from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upriver to Priest Rapids Dam in Washington.

The states met Wednesday as the Columbia River Compact and arrived at the decision after staff concerns about lower-than-expected numbers crossing Bonneville Dam.

Only 23,858 adult chinook crossed as of June 27, leading to the concern since 29,000 at the river’s mouth are critical for both hatchery and wild escapement and the number crossing the dam misses that target.

Meanwhile, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists and managers are keeping a close eye on lower-than-expected numbers at Willamette Falls.

However, no decisions will be made about Willamette River sportfishing until after the holiday weekend.

-- Bill Monroe for The Oregonian/OregonLive