To give hunters more time to report their hunts in the new electronic licensing system, the deadline to report 2018 hunts has been extended to April 15, 2019.
The 1 steelhead bag limit on several NE creeks and rivers, set to expire on Dec. 31, has been extended through April 30, 2019.
Columbia Zone
Regulation Updates as of January 30, 2019
These are in-season regulation changes adopted on a temporary or emergency basis. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
All regulations may be subject to in-season modifications.
SALMON, STEELHEAD, and SHAD
Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, permanent regulations apply (see e-regulations). There are no regulation updates at this time.
STURGEON
Beginning January 1, 2019, all permanent regulations for sturgeon apply unless noted below (see e-regulations for permanent rules).
COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam
There are no regulation updates at this time.
COLUMBIA RIVER RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam
Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)
There are no regulation updates at this time.
The Dalles Reservoir (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam)
Effective Monday, January 7, 2019, The Dalles Pool and adjacent tributaries will be closed to the retention of white sturgeon.
John Day Reservoir (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam)
There are no regulation updates at this time.
Columbia River Information | Columbia River Dam Counts
Notice of Columbia River Compact/Joint State Hearing: ODFW & WDFW have scheduled a hearing for Wednesday February 20, 2019 to consider spring Chinook recreational fisheries.
Weekend Fishing Opportunities:
- White sturgeon retention is closed from Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam, and in The Dalles Pool but remains an option for catch-and-release fishing.
- Bonneville, and John Day pools are open to the retention of white sturgeon until quotas are reached (under permanent regulations). See 2019 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for size, daily, and annual bag limits. Anglers should check weather conditions before driving to the gorge.
- Buoy 10 upstream to the I-5 Bridge is open for hatchery Chinook salmon (coho remains closed); and hatchery steelhead is open from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA Border under permanent regulations. See 2019 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for retention details.
- Walleye anglers are catching a few keepers in Bonneville and John Day pools.
- A few winter steelhead should be available for anglers plunking from the beaches on the lower Columbia River.
Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon can be found above.
Salmon, Steelhead and Shad
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
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam): Closed for retention. No report.
Bonneville Pool:
Weekly checking showed two legal white sturgeon kept, plus five sublegal sturgeon released for 13 bank anglers; and 17 sublegal and one oversize sturgeon released for 14 boats (30 anglers).
The Dalles Pool:
Closed for retention. No report.
John Day Pool:
Weekly checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept for 31 bank anglers; two sublegal sturgeon released for nine boats (18 anglers).
WALLEYE
Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed one walleye kept for two boats (four anglers).
The Dalles Pool: No report.
John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed 18 walleye kept, plus five walleye released for 16 boats (28 anglers).