
Columbia Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report

Jan. 25, 2023
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Current and upcoming fishing opportunities
- Retention of hatchery steelhead is allowed from Buoy 10 to the Dalles Dam through March 31, 2023.
- Retention of hatchery Chinook is allowed from Buoy 10 to the I-5 Bridge Jan. 1 – March 31, 2023.
- Effective 11:59 PM Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 the retention of white sturgeon in The Dalles Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to John Day Dam and all adjacent tributaries) is prohibited.
- White sturgeon retention is open in the John Day Pool (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam and all adjacent tributaries) Jan. 1 – Jan. 29.
- Please refer to the latest regulation updates for detailed information.
Announcements
2023 spring forecast
- 2023 Columbia River Adult Salmon Returns: Actual & Forecasted (pdf)
- Columbia River 2022 Fisheries Results and 2023 Expectations (pdf)
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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.
Find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon by clicking the Regulation Updates button.
Salmon, steelhead, and shad
The Columbia Sport creel program has ended for the year and will resume February of 2023.
Sturgeon
Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day Pools: Interest in the sturgeon retention fishery remained high, and warmer water conditions have improved the bite.
- Bonneville Pool is now closed to retention.
- The Dalles Pool is now closed to retention.
- John Day Pool: Anglers caught 76 percent of the harvest guideline through Jan 23.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of Jan. 24, 2023.
The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.
Salmon, steelhead, and shad
The Dalles Dam upstream to OR/WA border
- January 6 - March 31: The Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam) is closed to angling for and retention of steelhead.
Sturgeon
See 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for legal size, daily and annual bag limits and sanctuary closure areas.
Columbia River Mainstem and Reservoirs, Buoy 10 to McNary Dam
- Except during seasons listed below, retention of sturgeon is closed. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in the sturgeon spawning sanctuaries in the tailraces of Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and McNary dams during May 1-August 31.
- The annual statewide bag limit is two fish, applicable to any/all 2023 retention fisheries.
2023 seasons above Bonneville Dam
Sturgeon retention will open Jan. 1, 2023 in the Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day pools. Note: The Dalles and Bonneville pools will be open three days a week in 2023.
BONNEVILLE POOL
The Bonneville Pool is closed to sturgeon retention as of Jan 12.
- Season: Sunday, Jan. 1 and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Jan. 2 – Jan. 11.
- Area: Mainstem Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam, and all adjacent tributaries.
- Allowable catch: Up to 675 white sturgeon.
- Legal size: 38-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.).
- Bag limit: One fish daily, two fish annually.
THE DALLES POOL
The Dalles Pool will close to sturgeon retention on Jan. 26. Wednesday, Jan. 25, is the last scheduled day to retain sturgeon in The Dalles Pool.
- Season: Sunday, Jan. 1 and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays Jan. 2 – Jan. 25.
- Area: Mainstem Columbia River from The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam, and all adjacent tributaries.
- Allowable catch: Up to 190 white sturgeon.
- Legal size: 43-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.).
- Bag limit: One fish daily, two fish annually.
JOHN DAY POOL
The John Day Pool will close to sturgeon retention on Jan. 30. Sunday, Jan. 29, is the last scheduled day to retain sturgeon in the John Day Pool.
- Season: Opens Sunday, Jan. 1 – Jan. 29, seven days per week.
- Area: Mainstem Columbia River from John Day Dam to McNary Dam.
- Allowable catch: Up to 105 white sturgeon.
- Legal size: 43-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length (Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the fork in the caudal fin (tail) with the fish laying on its side on a flat surface, with the tape measure/ruler positioned flat under the fish.
- Bag limit: One fish daily, two fish annually