Harvest Updates

Yakama Nation Harvest Management

Under the Treaty of 1855, the Yakama Nation reserved the right to fish, hunt and gather and other rights at all usual and accustomed places. This includes the preservation of fish habitat at all usual and accustomed fishing places. 

The Yakama Nation manages fisheries resources to ensure continued access by Yakama members to fulfill their ceremonial, subsistence and commercial needs.  This treaty reserved right includes the right to have fish present to harvest, at all usual and accustomed places.

Harvest News

Smelt returns to the Columbia Basin have been very low for the past several years; however an improved Smelt return is expected in the Cowlitz River in 2014.

The Fish & Wildlife Committee directed Fisheries Staff to schedule a Fisher's Meeting for 10 am to 4 pm Monday January 27, 2014 at Legends Casino in Toppenish, WA.  Lunch will be provided.  See attached memo for the full agenda.

The tribal sturgeon setline fishery normally begins January 1st of each year.  At the present time harvestable numbers of sturgeon are available in Zone 6 of the Columbia River.  The setline catch is projected to be fewer than 200 fish.

The Platform/H&L Fishery in all of Zone 6 of the Columbia River at 11:59 p.m. Saturday May 18,2013. This closure will remain in effect through 6:00 a.m.

To prioritize fish for ceremonial needs and to reduce risks of exceeding catch guiedelines, the FWLO closes hook and line fishing in the area below Bonneville Dam at 6 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2013.

Attached is the 2013 Yakama nation Tributary Fisheries regulations package.