2026 Winter Steelhead validation starting 2025

2026 Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead Validation is required to target steelhead starting December 1.

Update: Dangerous algae bloom in Barnes Unit

ODFW is urging waterfowl hunters to use extreme caution with their dogs after laboratory results revealed high levels of microcystin in a water sample collected from

Mussel harvest closed Cape Blanco to CA border

Mussel harvesting is closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. 

Spencer creek closes to fishing Sept. 30 to protect salmon

Sept. 30 will be the last day to fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River will be closed as of Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon.

Recreation Report

Columbia Zone

Recreation Report Regulation Updates

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Columbia River Chinook
"First fish in new boat" " Chinook salmon, Columbia River 
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-

Columbia Fishing

 

Dec 18, 2025

 

Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:

Columbia River regulation updates for the fall management period (August 1- December 31) and 2026 sturgeon fishery are posted. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details.

Announcements

For the latest regulations, including in-season changes

See the fishing regulations update page.

 

Forecasts for 2026 Columbia River Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook and Sockeye are available here:

 

Changes to 2026 sturgeon retention fisheries above Bonneville:

Fishery managers are taking a new approach to the sturgeon retention fisheries in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools by delaying the openers in 2026. This is in an effort to increase the likelihood of the fisheries remaining open longer, after having to close within a day or two in recent years. For more information on this decision, read the news release here.

 

Fish consumption advisories

The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.

 

Sign up for the latest information on boater access

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.

 

Click here to find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon.

 

SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD

The salmonid creel program one the lower Columbia River has ended for the year and will resume in February of 2026. The creel program on the mid-Columbia has also ended and will resume in April 2026.