Sockeye returns are coming back as forecasted – to the Columbia River.

Report on Columbia River Migration to above Wells Dam: In the early migration period sockeye were migrating up the Columbia River as expected and through to Wells Dam. Last week in the lower Columbia below McNary Dam temperatures reached above 22 degrees Celsius which is causing a delay in their migration so we are monitoring that.

For migration into Osoyoos Lake, we have sockeye that are tagged so we have an idea of how many sockeye are making it to Osoyoos. This is what we are using to gauge on a fishery to occur. So no decision has been made on the recreation or economic fishery in Osoyoos Lake until we get the tag information back.

Howie Wright, MSc.
Fisheries Program Manager
Okanagan Nation Alliance