McNary Dam

[Wyo Eye]

What can anyone tell me about this spot on the Columbia river. My son is starting a job near there and am wondering if what I hear about the walleye fishing there is true and what are the best times. Thanks

[dan(or)]

It is true.

go to

http://www.walleyecentral.com/fish-smieden.htm

and

http://www.walleyecentral.com/fish_dtuinstra6.shtml

Or you might just want to browse through the 10lb club on WC home page for Coulmbia river fish.

dan
Out in Oregon land where the walleyes grow bigger!

[WAeyes]

If you are looking for a real trophy in the upper teens, they seem to show in Feb. and March. Please release them though, full of eggs. Nice pics Dan!!!

[mlc]

Yep, its true. There are other fish to pursue as well.

Take care,
mlc

[dan(or)]

I agree with WAeyes, you MUST release the biger fish. To many out west that means fish over the 23 or 24" range.

Oregon is actively trying to eliminate the walleyes in the Columbia. They are considered a predator fish.

There are not as many walleyes in the Columbia as back east but, Boy do they have Shoulders! WAeyes has some better support from Washington and soem diferrent impounds to fish beyond the Columbia.

dan

[WyoEye]

Thanks guys for the info. If they are trying to eliminate them does that mean they are not considered a game fish and there are no limits? I knew they didn't like them but didn't know to what extent.

[dan(or)]

Columbia river limits are:
10 fish total-
5 of those under 18" and 5 over 18" only one over 24".

Pretty irresponsible! They would have the greatest trophy fishery in the nation if Oregon and Washington would eliminate nets and change the daily catch limit.

I repeat RELEASE the BIG FISH! This fishery like any other can be fished into nothing by meat fisherman.

dan
out in Oregon land where the ODFW have their heads in the sand!

[WAeyes]

Wow Dan, I didn't realize Oregon was that bad. Geez, I think it is actually getting better in WA state. They actually collect eggs in Moses Lake to stock other lakes now, this is a big improvement over previous years. I'm glad there is alot of Columbia River upstream from you that does not border OR. Dadgum Salmonoid lovers anyway!!!!

[dan(or)]

WAeyes,

I am seriously considering buying a Washington fishing lis. this year. THat is how discussed I am. Besides it would let me try all those spots you fish :-)

dan

[tinboat]

Dan,

I sent my Oregon license back two years ago, and only purchased WA licenses from then on...send it back with a letter and tell them how you feel. If enough guys did this it would get their attention.

Actually I'm pretty sure their (ODFW) heads are somewhere other than the sand....LOL, hence my pet name for them...Oregon Department of Foulups and Wishfull thinking...

Hey, those winter fish going below John Day yet?

Tight lines

Tinboat

[WAeyes]

Not alot of spots Dan, just a few good ones! Give me a holler if you do and I will try to steer you in the right direction.

[WAeyes]

...send it back with a
>letter and tell them how you feel. If enough guys did this
>it would get their attention.
This is the main problem, there isn't enough walleye fishermen out here to influence the decision makers.

[Starfish]

Sorry, I'm afraid I'm a salmonid lover! But I agree wholeheartedly, the limits on walleyes are too liberal on the lower Columbia and it's vital that we let the big eyes go. Anyway, I thought Wyo Eyes might be interested in the annual schedule for those pesky salmonids and other non-walleyes, since they're pretty darn fun...
November-March is steelhead time (excellent right now);
April-June is spring chinook (normally not at McNary itself, but not too far... and they might actually open the McNary area this spring);
May-July is shad and sturgeon time;
September-October is fall chinook time.
So, there's always something to chase if the walleyes aren't cooperating!

[WyoEye]

Thanks again for the good info. My son is going to Richland the first part of Feb.. What is the weather like there at that time of year. We are ice fishing here big time. Got a new Duramax for X-mas and am itching for a place to tow my boat to.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

The weather here is very mild. We just had a couple of 60 degree days.
Bring the boat. Steelheading is still happening on the rivers. Plenty of perch in Scootney and the Seep Lakes.