Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
Columbia Fishing
April 23, 2026
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:
Columbia River regulation changes for the 2026 spring Chinook 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.
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.
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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.
Click here to find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon.
SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD
On Saturday's (4/18) effort count, there were 470 Oregon bank anglers and 1,449 boats from Bonneville Dam to Buoy 10.
Spring Chinook fishing was good on the lower river during last weekend's extension period, with the best catch rates occurring in the gorge. Spring Chinook angling was slow above Bonneville last week but should improve this week as fish passage is increasing.
Gorge: Weekly checking showed 53 Chinook kept, and two Chinook released for 21 boats (77 anglers); and two Chinook kept for 59 bank anglers.
Troutdale: Weekly checking showed 17 Chinook kept and 12 Chinook released for 64 boats (154 anglers).
Portland Airport to Warrior Rock: Weekly checking showed 115 Chinook and two jack Chinook kept, and 15 Chinook released for 193 boats (521 anglers).
Warrior Rock to Prescott: Weekly checking showed 31 Chinook kept, and two Chinook released for 70 boats (189 anglers).
Prescott to Wallace Island: Weekly checking showed 27 Chinook kept, and one Chinook released for 39 boats (96 anglers); and four Chinook and three steelhead kept, and two Chinook and one steelhead released for 197 bank anglers.
Wallace Island to Buoy 10: Weekly checking showed 38 Chinook kept, and two Chinook released for 64 boats (162 anglers); and four Chinook kept, and one Chinook released for 73 bank anglers.
Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed no catch for two boats (two anglers).
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed no catch for five bank anglers.
John Day Pool: No report.
STURGEON
Lower Columbia River: No report.
Bonneville Pool: No report.
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed two sublegal-sized, 20 legal-sized, and six over-sized sturgeon released for one boat (four anglers).
John Day Pool: No report.
Walleye
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam): No report.
Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed one walleye kept, and four walleye released for two boats (three anglers).
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed 104 walleye kept, and eight walleye released for six boats (19 anglers).