3 Alerts
X
Columbia reopens early for Chinook

Effective 9/19 to 12/31, Chinook and coho retention are open from Buoy 10 to the Hwy 395 bridge.

ODFW offices close to public access

Beginning March 23, all ODFW offices will be closed to visitors. ODFW staff will be available by phone and email.

ODFW hatcheries closed to public, visitors

Effective March 18, all state-owned fish hatcheries are closed to public access and visitors. Trout stocking in lakes and ponds continues for now.

Menu
Recreation Report

Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates

Regulation Updates as of  September 24, 2020

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.

Quick Links

** Jack bag limit

STURGEON

Fall Season (August 1-December 31 timeframe)

Boundary Maps:

For all fall salmonid fisheries, 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.

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 the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon shore.

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) wild coho must be released, 2) retention of jack salmon prohibited until October 1 b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (16-inches and longer) allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and hatchery coho), only one of which may be a Chinook. All steelhead must be released.
    • November 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches), adult hatchery coho (16-inches and longer), and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmonids, only one may be a Chinook and only one may be a steelhead.

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 navigation marker 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.

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) wild coho must be released, 2) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and hatchery coho), only one of which may be a Chinook. All steelhead must be released.
       
    • November 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches), adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmonids, only one may be a Chinook and only one may be a steelhead.

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.

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) wild coho must be released, 2) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and hatchery coho), only one of which may be a Chinook. All steelhead must be released. 
    • November 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches), adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmonids, only one may be a Chinook and only one may be a steelhead.

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.

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) wild coho must be released, 2) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and hatchery coho), only one of which may be a Chinook. All steelhead must be released. 
    • November 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches), adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmonids, only one may be a Chinook and only one may be a steelhead.

Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam a

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) all coho (adults and jacks) retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be hatchery fish, 2) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and coho), only one of which may be a Chinook. All steelhead must be released.
       
    • November 1 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches), adult coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmonids, only one may be a Chinook and only one may be a steelhead.

The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam a

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and coho), only one of which may be a Chinook, 2) all steelhead must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.

John Day Dam upstream to the Hwy 395 Bridge (Pasco, WA)

General regulations through December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook and coho), only one of which may be a Chinook, 2) all steelhead must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • September 19 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.

a Temporary rules for Thermal Angling Sanctuaries associated with Eagle Creek, Herman Creek, and the Deschutes River are described below.

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

Summary of 2020 summer/fall salmon and steelhead regulations for Columbia River Thermal Angling Sanctuaries and associated Oregon tributaries*.

The sanctuary boundaries span zones so rule modifications are needed in both the Central and Columbia River zones.

Eagle Creek (Central Zone)

Area definition:  From the angling deadline in Eagle Creek (200 feet downstream of hatchery fishway entrance) downstream to the mouth at the mainline railroad bridge.

  • September 16 - November 30: Salmonid angling and retention prohibited.
  • December 1 – 31:  One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit.

Eagle Creek Mouth (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of Eagle Creek from the mainline railroad bridge northwest to a line projecting from a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 200 feet downstream of Eagle Creek, through red navigation buoy #4, and terminating at a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 325 feet upstream of Eagle Creek.

  • September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

eagle creek

Herman Creek (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: From the mainline railroad bridge downstream to markers at mouth.

  • July 15 –November 30:  Closed to angling.
  • December 1 – 31:  One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit.

Herman Creek Lagoon (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: Herman Creek Lagoon/Cove east of a line from the northwest tip of the jetty, south to a marker on the Oregon shore.

  • September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

Herman Creek Youth and Disabled Angler Angling Area (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: West of the peninsula from the markers at the mouth to lower Herman Cr. Pond structure.

  • This area remains open for salmon and steelhead consistent with regulations for Columbia mainstem from Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.  This area is open to youth angling (ages 17 and under) and Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit Holders only.

herman creek

Deschutes River (Central Zone)

Area definition:  From markers at lower end of Moody Rapids downstream to the mouth at Interstate 84 Bridge.

  • June 16 – December 31:  One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit except closed to angling July 15-September 15.

Deschutes River Mouth (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition:  The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of the Deschutes River from the Interstate 84 Bridge north to a line projecting from the flashing red navigation marker #2 located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Deschutes River mouth on the Oregon shore, upstream to the red navigation marker #4, then to the lower South Channel Range “B” marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 0.7 mile upstream of the Deschutes River mouth.

  • September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam.

deschutes river

John Day River (downstream of Tumwater Falls)

  • September 1 – December 31: closed to steelhead retention

lower john day river

  • Permanent regulations apply for other sections of the above tributaries

 

STURGEON

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.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville Dam

  • 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 26, Tuesday September 29, and Saturday October 3 (three 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 retention fisheries in 2020).
    • Retention of green sturgeon prohibited.
  • Catch-and-release fishing is allowed.  All other permanent rules apply.

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-August 31.

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-August 31.

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

  • Closed to the retention of white sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in sanctuary closure areas during May 1-August 31.

See 2020 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations  for sanctuary closure areas and size, daily, and annual bag limits when open for retention.

COLUMBIA RIVER COMPACT ACTION NOTICES

COLUMBIA RIVER MANAGEMENT FACT SHEETS

COLUMBIA RIVER INFORMATION

COLUMBIA RIVER DAM COUNTS

Recreation Report

Chinook
"Columbia Nook" - Kevin Grindy, Columbia River Chinook. Photo by Josh Scott

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your fishing photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

 

 

Send us your fishing report

We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports―the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the weekly Recreation Report.

FISHING UPDATES

Tips to recreate responsibly

We continue to urge anglers and others recreating outside to stay close to home, keep your social distance, and travel safely. Here’s more information about how to recreate responsibly.

Current and Upcoming Fishing Opportunities:

  • Effective September 19, fall salmon seasons are open from Buoy 10 upstream to the Hwy 395 Bridge in Pasco, WA (see Sport Fishing Regulations Updates page for additional regulation details).
  • White sturgeon retention is CLOSED from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington Border (upstream of McNary Dam), but remains an option for catch-and-release fishing (see Sport Fishing Regulations Updates page for additional regulation details).

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

Salmon, Steelhead and Shad

On Saturday’s (9/19) flight, 1,081 salmonid boats and 51 Oregon bank salmonid anglers were counted from Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam; and 75 Oregon boats at Buoy 10.  Salmonid boats fishing in the gorge averaged 1.94 Chinook and 0.12 coho caught per boat, while anglers fishing in Troutdale averaged 0.75 Chinook, 0.13 coho and 0.01 steelhead caught per boat.  Boat anglers fishing in the Portland to St. Helens area averaged 0.61 Chinook and 0.12 coho caught per boat, while anglers fishing the Goble to Beaver area averaged 0.88 Chinook and 0.19 coho caught per boat.  Salmonid anglers fishing at Buoy 10 averaged 0.09 Chinook, 1.55 coho and 0.01 steelhead caught per boat.  Bank anglers fishing in the gorge averaged 0.05 Chinook caught per angler.

Gorge Bank:

Weekend checking showed one adult Chinook kept for 21 bank anglers.

Gorge Boats:

Weekend checking showed 148 adult Chinook, 38 jack Chinook, six adult coho, and one jack coho kept, plus 13 adult Chinook, one jack Chinook, four adult coho and one jack coho released for 83 boats (261 anglers).

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed 115 adult Chinook, 16 jack Chinook, 15 adult coho, and one jack coho kept, plus six adult Chinook, two jack Chinook, six adult coho and one steelhead released for 162 boats (374 anglers).

Portland to Westport Bank:

Weekend checking showed no catch for five bank anglers.

Portland to St. Helens Boats:

Weekend checking showed 79 adult Chinook, eight jack Chinook, and 12 adult coho kept, plus one jack Chinook and three adult coho released for 130 boats (305 anglers). 

Goble to Beaver (Clatskanie) Boats:

Weekend checking showed 65 adult Chinook, four jack Chinook, 11 adult coho, and one jack coho kept, plus one jack Chinook, and three adult coho released for 74 boats (186 anglers).

Beaver (Clatskanie) to Westport Boats:

No report.

Wauna Powerlines to Clatsop Spit Bank:

No report.

Westport to Tongue Point Boats:

Weekend checking showed no catch for one boat (three anglers).

Tongue Point to Buoy 10 Boats:

Weekend checking showed three adult Chinook and 83 adult coho kept, plus five adult Chinook, 52 adult coho and one steelhead released for 87 boats (240 anglers).

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

Weekly checking showed one adult coho released for four bank anglers; and two adult coho kept, plus three adult coho released for three boats (five anglers).

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

Weekly checking showed one adult Chinook kept for two bank anglers; and 15 adult Chinook, and five jack Chinook kept, plus one steelhead released for 15 boats (38 anglers).

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

Weekly checking showed one adult Chinook kept for one boat (two anglers).

STURGEON

Gorge Bank:

Closed for retention.  No report.

Gorge Boats:

Closed for retention.  Weekend checking showed no catch for 10 boats (32 anglers).

Troutdale Bank:

Closed for retention.  No report.

Troutdale Boats:

Closed for retention.  Weekend checking showed two legal white sturgeon kept, plus 10 sublegal and one over-legal white sturgeon released for 12 boats (30 anglers).

Portland Bank:

Weekend checking showed seven sublegal white sturgeon released for 43 bank anglers.

Portland Boats:

Weekend checking showed 13 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 33 sublegal and nine over-legal white sturgeon released for 34 boats (104 anglers).

St. Helens Bank:

Weekend checking showed three sublegal and one over-legal white sturgeon released for 55 bank anglers.

St. Helens to Goble Boats:

Weekend checking showed 12 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 70 sublegal and 18 over-legal white sturgeon released for 40 boats (111 anglers).

Rainier Bank:

No report.

Rainier/Longview Boats:

Weekend checking showed six legal white sturgeon kept, plus 11 sublegal and two over-legal for 22 boats (55 anglers).

Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam): Closed for retention. No report.

The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):  Closed for retention. No report.

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

Closed for retention. Weekly checking showed two sublegal white sturgeon released for three bank anglers; and one oversize sturgeon released for two boats (six anglers).

WALLEYE

Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam): No report.

Bonneville Pool: No report.

The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed no catch for three boats (four anglers).

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed nine walleye kept, plus one walleye released for 12 bank anglers; and one walleye kept for five boats (10 anglers).