Steelhead and Chinook fish populations show mixed trends in Pacific Northwest

Fisheries managers are reporting significant fluctuations in fish populations across the Columbia River and its tributaries. While fall chinook runs at Bonneville and Lower Granite dams are currently trending ahead of the 10-year pace, A-run steelhead numbers are notably low. At Bonneville Dam, steelhead counts have reached approximately 28,500 since July 1, which is well below the 10-year average of over 50,000. Wild steelhead specifically are trending at roughly half of the historical average.

In response to these trends, regulatory actions have been implemented. Oregon has closed steelhead fishing on the Deschutes River to protect wild populations, and both Idaho and Washington have limited fall chinook harvest to one fish per day due to a below-average return of wild fish. Fisheries managers in the Snake River expect a return of approximately 21,000 hatchery fall chinook but only about 5,000 wild fish.

Chris Sullivan of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game noted that the current cumulative counts at Bonneville are the second lowest in 20 years. However, there remains some optimism regarding the B-run fish bound for the Clearwater River, which typically builds in the early part of September.