Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates as of April 17, 2018

These are in-season regulation changes adopted on a temporary or emergency basis. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.

CHINOOK SALMON

COLUMBIA RIVER mouth to Bonneville Dam

Until further notice, this area is closed to angling and retention of salmon (adults and jacks).  Steelhead and shad angling and retention is also closed in this area (see STEELHEAD & SHAD section below).

COLUMBIA RIVER Bonneville Dam to Oregon/Washington border

• Effective March 16 through May 7, this area is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped Chinook. Fishing for salmon and steelhead from a boat is prohibited between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines, which are approximately six miles downstream from The Dalles Dam.
• The daily bag limit will be two adipose fin-clipped adult salmon (Chinook or coho) or adipose fin-clipped steelhead in combination, of which no more than one may be a Chinook. The rules also allow retention of up to five adipose fin-clipped jack salmon per day in Oregon.

SELECT AREA RECREATIONAL FISHERIES

• Permanent fishing regulations for recreational harvest in Oregon waters within Youngs Bay and Blind Slough/Knappa Slough are listed in the 2018 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
• The use of barbed hooks is allowed when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout in the Youngs Bay and Knappa/Blind Slough Select Areas.
• Effective March 1 through June 15, 2018 on days when the mainstem Columbia River below Bonneville Dam is closed to Chinook retention, the permanent bag limits for Select Areas will apply. On days when the mainstem Columbia below Bonneville Dam is open to recreational Chinook harvest, the daily adult salmon/steelhead bag limit in Select Area fishing sites will be the same as the mainstem Columbia bag limits.

STEELHEAD & SHAD

• Permanent rules for steelhead and shad are in effect, except for the following modifications:
  • Effective March 16 through May 15, 2018, the Columbia River will be open for retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge, and shad from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam, ONLY during days and in areas open for retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook. Beginning May 16 permanent rules resume as listed in the 2018 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.

STURGEON

Beginning January 1, 2018, all permanent regulations for sturgeon apply (see 2018 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations).

(mainstem Columbia River 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 14, 2018 through June 4, 2018 (10 days: May 14, May 16, May 19, May 21, May 23, May 26, May 28, May 30, June 2, and June 4).
  • 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 RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam

Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)

• Closed to retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed.

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

• Closed to retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed.

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

• Closed to retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed.

Columbia River Information | Columbia River Dam Counts