Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates as of  March 16, 2021

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

SALMON, STEELHEAD, and SHAD

Barbless Hooks are required when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout in the mainstem Columbia River under permanent regulations.

Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam:

• March 1, 2021-April 4, 2021: the following area, retention, and daily bag limits apply.
  • Area definition: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (boat and bank) plus bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline, except salmon and steelhead angling from a boat is prohibited in the spring salmonid boat angling closure area adjacent to the Cowlitz River mouth (definition below).
     
  • Spring Salmonid Boat Angling Closure Area (see Map): Defined as the area of the mainstem Columbia River between boundary lines as described and includes all of Carrolls Channel (from the upstream end of Cottonwood Island downstream to the Cowlitz and Columbia River confluence).
    • Downstream boundary – From a point on the Washington shore projected through Dolphin Marker J (near Shipping Terminal 9), southerly across the Columbia River to Columbia Park Boat Ramp in Rainier, Oregon.
    • Upstream boundary – From a point on the Washington shore projected through Cottonwood Island Dike Light “31”, southerly across the Columbia River to a deadline marker on the Oregon shore.
  • Retention allowed: open for hatchery Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Shad may also be retained.
  • Daily bag limit: two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook.
  • All other permanent rules apply, including catch limits for jack salmon.

Bonneville Dam upstream to Hwy 395 Bridge (Pasco, WA)

• March 16, 2021-May 5, 2021: the following area, retention, and daily bag limits apply.
  • Area Definition: Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to OR/WA Border (upstream of McNary Dam), plus the Oregon and Washington banks between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines.
  • Retention allowed: open for hatchery Chinook and hatchery steelhead. Shad remains open under permanent rule.
  • Daily bag limit: two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook.
  • All other permanent rules apply, including catch limits for jack salmon.

Select Area Recreational Salmon Fisheries

• March 1, 2021-June 15, 2021: on days when the mainstem Columbia River recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam is open to retention of Chinook, the salmonid daily bag limit in Oregon and Washington Select Areas will be the same as mainstem Columbia River bag limits.
• On days when the mainstem Columbia River recreational fishery below Bonneville Dam is closed to Chinook retention, the permanent salmonid bag limit regulations for Select Areas apply.

STURGEON

See 2021 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for legal size, daily, and annual bag limits.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 upstream 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 10, 2021 through June 5, 2021 (12 days: May 10, May 12, May 15, May 17, May 19, May 22, May 24, May 26, May 29, May 31, June 2, 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 (applicable to any/all 2021 retention fisheries).
  • Retention of green sturgeon prohibited.

• Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except as noted above.  All other permanent rules apply.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Wauna Powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam

• Area definition: From the Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline, including the Cowlitz River (WA).
• 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 Saturday, September 11 and Saturday September 18 (two days).
  • 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 (applicable to any/all 2021 retention fisheries).
  • Retention of green sturgeon prohibited.

• Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.  All other permanent rules apply.

COLUMBIA RIVER RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam (Bonneville Pool, The Dalles Pool, John Day Pool)

Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)

• Bonneville Pool and adjacent tributaries are closed to the retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.

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

• The Dalles Pool and adjacent tributaries are closed to the retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.

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

• John Day Pool and adjacent tributaries are closed to the retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.

COLUMBIA RIVER COMPACT ACTION NOTICES

COLUMBIA RIVER MANAGEMENT FACT SHEETS

COLUMBIA RIVER INFORMATION

COLUMBIA RIVER DAM COUNTS