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Modifications to Deschutes River bag limit

Effective June 16, 2019, retention of  steelhead allowed downstream of  Moody Rapids.

Modifications to John Day River bag limit

Effective June 16, 2019, retention of  steelhead allowed downstream of Tumwater Falls.

All-depth Halibut opens for one more day

All-depth Halibut will open for an additional day.

Nehalem River Basin Bag Limit Reduced

Effective July 1, bag limits on wild adult Chinook salmon are reduced.

Trask River Hatchery Hole Closes

Effective June 13, 2019, the Trask River Hatchery Hole will be closed.

Razor clam closure extended

Razor clamming is now closed from the south jetty of the Siuslaw River south to the California border.

Barbed Hooks Allowed on Mainstem Columbia River

Effective June 1, 2019 through November 28, 2019, the use of barbed hooks is allowed when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout. 

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Recreation Report

Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates

Regulation Updates as of  June 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

Hook regulation update:

Effective June 1, 2019 through November 28, 2019, the use of barbed hooks is allowed when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon-Washington border located upstream of McNary Dam (RM 309.5).

SALMON, STEELHEAD, and SHAD

COLUMBIA RIVER, Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to OR/WA border (upstream of McNary Dam)

  • Retention of Chinook and sockeye prohibited.
  • Retention of hatchery steelhead allowed.  The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead through June 30 and one hatchery steelhead July 1-31. 
  • Night angling closure in effect*. 

Fall Season (August 1-December 31 timeframe)

COLUMBIA RIVER, Buoy 10

  • Area definition:  From the Buoy 10 line upstream to a line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington shore through red navigation buoy #44 to red navigation marker #2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon shore.
  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult hatchery coho (16-inches or longer) and hatchery steelhead allowed except all steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released August 1-31.  Night angling closure in effect*.  All other permanent rules apply.  Daily bag limits by time period are described below:
  • August 1 – August 20:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) allowed.  The daily bag limit is two adult salmonids (Chinook and hatchery coho only), and may include up to one Chinook.  All steelhead must be released.
  • August 21 – August 31:  Retention of all Chinook and all steelhead prohibited.  The daily bag limit is two adult hatchery coho. 
  • September 1 – September 30:  Retention of all Chinook prohibited.  The daily bag limit is two adult hatchery salmonids (coho and steelhead only), and may include up to one hatchery steelhead.
  • October 1 – December 31:  Retention of all Chinook prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery salmonids (coho and steelhead only), and may include up to one hatchery steelhead.  Hatchery coho jacks may be retained**. 

Columbia River boundary map Tongue Point

COLUMBIA RIVER, Tongue Point/Rocky Point upstream to west Puget Island

  • Area definition: From a line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington shore through red navigation buoy #44 to the red navigation marker #2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon shore upstream to a line at the west end of Puget Island extending from green navigation marker #39 on the Washington shore to green navigation marker #41, then to red navigation marker #42, and terminating at red navigation marker #44A on the Oregon shore.
  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed except all steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released August 1-31.  Hatchery coho jacks may be retained.  Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.  Night angling closure in effect*. All other permanent rules apply.  Daily adult bag limits by time period are described below:
  • August 1 – August 20:  Retention of adult (longer than 24-inches) and jack Chinook allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook and hatchery coho only).  All steelhead must be released.
  • August 21 – August 31:  Retention of all Chinook and all steelhead prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery coho. 
  • September 1 – December 31:   Retention of all Chinook prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery salmonids (coho and steelhead only) and may include up to one hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River boundary map West Puget Island

COLUMBIA RIVER, West Puget Island upstream to Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island

  • Area definition: From a line at the west end of Puget Island extending from green navigation marker #39 on the Washington shore to green navigation marker #41, then to red navigation marker #42, and terminating at red navigation marker #44A on the Oregon shore upstream to a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red navigation buoy #4, then to the piling dolphin on the lower end of Bachelor Island.
  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed except all steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released August 1-31.  Hatchery coho jacks may be retained.    Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.  Night angling closure in effect*.  All other permanent rules apply.  Daily adult bag limits by time period are described below:
  • August 1 – August 27:  Retention of adult (longer than 24-inches) and jack Chinook allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook and hatchery coho only).  All steelhead must be released.
  • August 28 – August 31:  Retention of all Chinook and all steelhead prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery coho. 
  • September 1 – December 31:  Retention of all Chinook prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery salmonids (coho and steelhead only) and may include up to one hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River boundary map Warrior Rock 2019

COLUMBIA RIVER, Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island upstream to Bonneville Dam

  • Area definition: From a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red navigation buoy #4, then to the piling dolphin on the lower end of Bachelor Island upstream to Bonneville Dam.
  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed except all steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released August 1-31.  Hatchery coho jacks may be retained.  Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.  Night angling closure in effect*.  All other permanent rules apply.  Daily adult bag limits by time period are described below:
  • August 1 – August 31:  Retention of adult (longer than 24-inches) and jack Chinook allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook and hatchery coho only).  All steelhead must be released.
  • September 1 – September 8:  Retention of adult (longer than 24-inches) and jack Chinook allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead).
  • September 9 – December 31:  Retention of all Chinook prohibited.  The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery salmonids (coho and steelhead only) and may include up to one hatchery steelhead.

COLUMBIA RIVER, Bonneville Dam upstream to McNary Dam

  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult (longer than 20-inches) and jack coho allowed.  All coho (adults and jacks) retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be hatchery fish.  Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.  Night angling closure in effect*.  All other permanent rules apply.  Daily adult bag limits by time period are described below:
  • Effective August 1, retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and Chinook jacks allowed but will be managed in-season based on actual catches and the upriver bright fall Chinook run-size.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook, coho, and hatchery steelhead), except:
    • Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam: Release all steelhead (hatchery and wild) from August 1 – 31.
    • The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam: Release all steelhead (hatchery and wild) from August 1 – September 30.
    • John Day Dam to McNary Dam: Release all steelhead (hatchery and wild) from September 1 – October 31.

COLUMBIA RIVER, McNary Dam upstream to the OR/WA Border (upstream of McNary Dam)

  • August 1 – December 31:  Retention of any adult (longer than 20-inches) and jack coho allowed.  Each legal angler aboard a vessel may continue to deploy angling gear until the daily adult salmonid bag limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.  Night angling closure in effect*.  All other permanent rules apply.  Daily adult bag limits by time period are described below:
  • Effective August 1, retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and Chinook jacks allowed but will be managed in-season based on actual catches and the upriver bright fall Chinook run-size.  The daily adult bag limit is one salmonid (Chinook, coho, and hatchery steelhead), except release all steelhead (hatchery and wild) October 1 – November 30.

*       Night angling closure: Unlawful to angle for or take salmon, shad, steelhead, sturgeon, trout, or whitefish except during daylight hours (one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset).

**    The daily bag limit for jack salmon in Oregon is five fish.

STURGEON

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

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 to Wauna Powerlines

  • Permanent rules for sturgeon are in effect, including closed to the retention of sturgeon (see e-regulations). Catch-and-release fishing is allowed the remainder of the year.

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

Recreation Report

We want your photos

Attention anglers – we want your photos!

Whether you’re out after trout or bass, steelhead or salmon, surfperch or rockfish, we’d love to see photos of your adventure. When you submit your photos to ODFW they could appear on our website or signs, or in social or brochures. What a great way to share your experience with others!

Photo submission form

Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:

  • Effective Sunday June 16, angling for summer steelhead is open from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the OR/WA Border (see special regulations for retention details).  Retention of Chinook and sockeye is prohibited.
  • Angling for shad is open from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA Border.
  • White sturgeon retention is closed from Buoy 10 upstream to McNary Dam but remains an option for catch-and-release fishing. Anglers are reminded that spawning sanctuaries are currently in effect (see special regulations for details).
  • Walleye angling is good in the John Day Pool.

 

Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon can be found above.

Salmon, Steelhead and Shad

On Saturday’s (6/15) flight, 58 salmonid boats plus 32 Oregon bank salmonid anglers were counted from Tongue Point to the I-5 Bridge; and 37 shad boats plus 223 Oregon bank shad anglers were counted from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam.

Gorge Bank:

Weekend checking showed four adult Chinook released for 10 salmonid anglers; and 299 shad kept, plus 14 shad released for 62 shad anglers.

Gorge Boats:

Weekend checking showed 107 shad kept for five shad boats (15 anglers).

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed no catch for two salmonid boats (three anglers); and eight shad kept, plus eight shad released for two shad boats (seven anglers).

Portland to Westport Bank:

Weekend checking showed one steelhead and two sockeye released for 23 bank anglers.

Portland to St. Helens Boats:

No report.

Goble to Beaver (Clatskanie) Boats:

No report.

Wauna Powerlines to Clatsop Spit Bank:

No report.

Westport to Buoy 10 Boats:

Weekend checking showed one steelhead kept, plus one steelhead released for four boats (seven anglers).

Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):

Weekly checking showed 260 shad kept, plus 81 shad released for 25 shad anglers.

The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):

Weekly checking showed 192 shad kept, plus 241 shad released for 20 shad anglers.

John Day Pool (Columbia River above John Day Dam and John Day Arm):

Weekly checking showed 1353 shad kept, plus 1303 shad released for 99 boats.

STURGEON

Lower Columbia River (Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam):  Closed for retention.  Weekend checking showed 11 sublegal and one oversize sturgeon released for two boats (seven anglers).

Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):

Closed for retention.  Weekly checking showed one sublegal, two legal and two oversize sturgeon released for three bank anglers; and nine sublegal, one legal and 16 oversize sturgeon released for nine boats (22 anglers).

The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam): 

Closed for retention.  Weekly checking showed nine sublegal, two legal and two oversize sturgeon released for three boats (six anglers).

John Day Pool (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam):

Closed for retention.  Weekly checking showed seven sublegal, one legal and 22 oversize sturgeon released for 11 boats (31 anglers).

WALLEYE

Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):  Weekend checking showed one walleye kept for one boat (two anglers).

Bonneville Pool:  No report.

The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed 11 walleye kept, plus two walleye released for nine boats (20 anglers).

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed 78 walleye kept, plus 11 walleye released for 49 boats (111 anglers).