Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates as of  April 17, 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

All permanent regulations for salmon, steelhead, and shad apply unless modified below (see e-regulations).

COLUMBIA RIVER, mouth to Warrior Rock

• Effective April 15 until further notice, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and shad angling and retention is closed under permanent rules from the Warrior Rock line downstream to Buoy 10 (see e-regulations). 
  • Boundary definition (see Map): Warrior Rock line extends from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red USCG buoy #4, then to the piling dolphin on the lower end of Bachelor Island.

COLUMBIA RIVER, Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam

• From April 20-21, the area from the Warrior Rock line upstream to Beacon Rock (boat and bank) plus bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline, is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and shad.
  • Boundary definition (see Map): Warrior Rock line extend from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red USCG buoy #4, then to the piling dolphin on the lower end of Bachelor Island.
  • The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped salmonids (Chinook or steelhead only), of which only one may be a Chinook.
• From April 15-19 and April 22 until further notice, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and shad angling and retention are closed under permanent rules for this area (see e-regulations).

COLUMBIA RIVER, Bonneville Dam to OR/WA border (upstream of McNary Dam)

• From April 1 through May 5, from the Tower Island powerlines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to Oregon/Washington border (boat and bank) plus bank angling only from Bonneville Dam upstream to Tower Island powerlines, is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
  • The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped salmonids (Chinook or steelhead only), of which only one may be a Chinook. 
• Shad angling is open under permanent rules.

STURGEON

All permanent regulations for sturgeon apply unless noted below (see e-regulations).

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 to Wauna Powerlines

• Area definition: From the Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) downstream to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay; and all adjacent Washington tributaries.
• Permanent rules for sturgeon are in effect, including closed to the retention of sturgeon, except for the following modifications:
  • This area will be open to retention of white sturgeon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during May 13, 2019 through June 5, 2019 (11 days: May 13, May 15, May 18, May 20, May 22, May 25, May 27, May 29, June 1, June 3, and June 5).
  • On days open to white sturgeon retention, angling for sturgeon is prohibited after 2 PM, including catch and release.
  • Daily bag limit is one white sturgeon, 44-50 inches 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).
  • Annual bag limit is two white sturgeon.
  • Retention of green sturgeon prohibited.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville Dam

• Permanent rules for sturgeon are in effect, including closed to the retention of sturgeon (see e-regulations). Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.

COLUMBIA RIVER RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam

Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)

• Closed to retention of sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-July 31. (see e-regulations).

The Dalles Reservoir (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam)

• Closed to retention of sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-July 31.

John Day Reservoir (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam)

• Closed to retention of sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-July 31.

Columbia River Information | Columbia River Dam Counts