Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
Columbia Fishing
March 12, 2026
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:
Columbia River regulation changes for the 2026 spring Chinook fishery are posted. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details.
Announcements
For the latest regulations, including in-season changes
See the fishing regulations update page.
Forecasts for 2026 Columbia River Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook and Sockeye are available here.
Fish consumption advisories
The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.
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Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Click here to find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon.
SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD
On Saturday's (3/7) effort count, there were 141 bank anglers and 82 boats from Bonneville to Lord Island. Anglers are catching a few winter steelhead from the beaches on the lower Columbia, but fishing for Chinook is slow.
Gorge: No report.
Troutdale: Weekly checking showed no catch for four boats (five anglers).
Portland Airport to Warrior Rock: Weekly checking showed no catch for nine boats (two anglers); and no catch for two bank anglers.
Warrior Rock to Prescott: Weekly checking showed no catch for 18 boats (45 anglers).
Prescott to Wallace Island: Weekly checking showed one steelhead released for seven boats (14 anglers); and 10 steelhead kept and 18 steelhead and one Chinook released for 216 bank anglers.
Wallace Island to Buoy 10: Weekly checking showed no catch for 19 boat (36 anglers); and no catch for 16 bank anglers.
STURGEON
Lower Columbia River: No report.
bove Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam: Tuesday, March 3 was the last scheduled sturgeon retention period in the Dalles Pool. Managers will review the results of the fishery later this week to identify the possibility of future retention periods.