Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
Columbia Fishing
Dec 4, 2025
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:
Columbia River regulation updates for fall management period (August 1- December 31) 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.
Changes to 2026 sturgeon retention fisheries above Bonneville:
Fishery managers are taking a new approach to the sturgeon retention fisheries in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools by delaying the openers in 2026. This is in an effort to increase the likelihood of the fisheries remaining open longer, after having to close within a day or two in recent years. For more information on this decision, read the news release 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.
Sign up for the latest information on boater access
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
The salmonid creel program one the lower Columbia River has ended for the year and will resume in February of 2026.
Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):
No report.
The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):
No report.
John Day Pool (Columbia River above John Day Dam and John Day Arm):
No report.
Sturgeon
Bonneville Pool:
Closed to retention. Weekly checking showed one over-legal sized sturgeon released for one boat (three anglers).
The Dalles Pool:
Closed to retention. Weekly checking showed 18 sub-legal sized sturgeon, 11 legal sized sturgeon, and eight over-legal sized sturgeon released for two boats (seven anglers).
John Day Pool:
Closed to retention. No report.
Walleye
Bonneville Pool:
No report.
The Dalles Pool:
Weekly checking showed one walleye kept for two boats (three anglers).
John Day Pool:
No report.