LA GRANDE — A fishing season for spring chinook salmon will open May 24 on Lookingglass Creek, a tributary to the Grande Ronde River at Palmer Junction north of Elgin.

The season will continue through June 14. The stream is open from its mouth to the confluence with Jarboe Creek.

Anglers can keep two adipose fin-clipped chinook adults per day, and five fin-clipped jacks, which are less than 24 inches long. Anglers don’t need to record jack catch on their combined angling tags, but it is illegal to continue fishing for jack chinook once the adult bag limit is met. Unmarked (wild) fish must be released carefully and unharmed.

“It is great that we can provide a chinook fishery in Union County and open this fishery for a third year in a row,” said Ethan Brandt, ODFW district fish biologist in La Grande. “This year we are glad that we could open it over both Memorial Day weekend and free fishing weekend.”

Free fishing weekend is June 1 and 2. Anglers don’t need a license or tag for those days.

Lookingglass Creek anglers are restricted to artificial flies and lures while fishing for salmon. The use of bait is prohibited in order to protect bull trout, a threatened species.

Anglers should be aware that private timberlands open to public access border a majority of the area open to sport fishing, and private residences downstream of the Moses Creek Lane Bridge are not open to public access. Anglers are reminded to respect all private property by picking up trash when leaving and respecting the privacy of nearby residents.

Anglers are also reminded to ensure they have both Columbia Basin Endorsement and Combined Angling Tag in addition to their fishing license, except during free fishing weekend.