No two-rod on the Willamette River in 2026 due to low forecast for hatchery spring Chinook

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The two-rod validation will not be available for the Willamette River in 2026 as the forecast for hatchery-origin adult fish does not meet the minimum return threshold.

The 2026 Columbia River spring-summer forecast anticipates 43,700 adult Willamette-origin spring Chinook will return to the mouth of the Columbia River. Of the total adult return, approximately 32,000 are expected to be hatchery-origin fish. A minimum return of 34,000 adult hatchery fish is typically needed to collect enough broodstock for future releases.

"Usually less than 40% of hatchery-origin spring Chinook that reach the Columbia River mouth make it to upper Willamette Basin hatcheries," said John North, ODFW Deputy Fish Division Administrator. "To meet our total adult hatchery-origin broodstock goal of 14,000 fish, we need approximately 34,000 adult hatchery fish at the mouth of the Columbia River."

"The two-rod license is popular with anglers so while we would like to offer it every year, our first priority is to make sure we meet our broodstock needs to maintain hatchery releases," continued North. "We also want to be transparent and let anglers planning next year's fishing trips know as early as possible if it will be available."

When fishery managers implemented the 34,000 threshold in 2024, they expected the forecast would meet it in 12 out of 15 years.

Anglers should always check for any in-season changes to permanent regulations by visiting the Recreation Report / Fishing Report for their zone and clicking the Regulation Updates tab.