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Columbia closes to sockeye, steelhead fishing June 25

Effective Thursday, June 25 at 12:01 a.m., the mainstem Columbia River downstream of the OR/WA border will close to sockeye and hatchery steelhead fishing.

Howard Prairie Reservoir fishing limits lifted

Effective June 10, 2020 through September 30, 2020, size and harvest limits of game fish are lifted on Howard Prairie Reservoir.

Cole River "hatchery hole" closed to fishing

Under emergency regulations effective June 3, the Cole Rivers hatchery hole is closed to all fishing through July 31.

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.

Retention of wild Chinook prohibited on Umpqua

Effective Feb 1 through June 30, 2020, retention of hatchery Chinook salmon is allowed on the mainstem Umpqua River.  Retention of wild Chinook salmon is prohibited.

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Recreation Report

Columbia Zone

Regulation Updates

Regulation Updates as of  June 30, 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


Summer Season (June 16-July 31 timeframe)

Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to OR/WA border (upstream of McNary Dam) a

  • This area is closed to the retention of all Chinook (adults and jacks), sockeye, and steelhead except for the following modifications:
    • Effective Saturday July 4 – Wednesday July 8, this area will be open for retention of hatchery Chinook (adults and jacks). The daily adult bag limit is two hatchery Chinook.
    • All sockeye and steelhead must be released.

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 during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) wild coho must be released, 3) retention of jack salmon prohibited until October 1 b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – 13: Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • August 14 –27:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (16-inches and longer) allowed.  All steelhead must be released.
    • August 28 – September 22:  Retention of adult hatchery coho allowed.  All Chinook and steelhead must be released.
    • September 23 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (16-inches and longer) allowed.  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. 

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 during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) wild coho must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – 13: Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • August 14 –27:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released. 
    • August 28 – September 22:  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  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. 

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 during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) wild coho must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released.
    • September 1 – 22:  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  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. 

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 during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) wild coho must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1-6:  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • August 7 – September 6:
      • Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (Aug 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, and Sep 4-6):  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released.
      • Monday thru Thursday (Aug 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, and Aug 31-Sep 3):  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 7 – 22:  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult hatchery coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  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. 

Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam a

General regulations during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) all coho (adults and jacks) retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be hatchery fish, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – September 8:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released. 
    • September 9 – 22:  Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – October 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  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 Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam a

General regulations during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, 2) all steelhead must be released, and 3) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – September 8:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  September 9 – 22: Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – 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 during August 1 – December 31:  When salmonid angling is allowed, 1) the daily adult bag limit is one salmonid, and 2) retention of jack salmon allowed b.

  • Additional regulations by date period are described below:
    • August 1 – 31:  Retention of adult (longer than 24-inches) Chinook, adult coho (longer than 20-inches), and hatchery steelhead allowed. 
    • September 1 – 8:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released. 
    • September 9 – 22: Salmonid angling prohibited.
    • September 23 – December 31:  Retention of adult Chinook (longer than 24-inches) and adult coho (longer than 20-inches) allowed.  All steelhead must be released.

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.

  • June 16 – July 14:  One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit.
  • July 15 –November 30:  Closed to angling.
  • 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.

  • June 16 –July 14 and September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
  • July 15 – September 15:  Closed to angling.

eagle creek

 

Herman Creek (Columbia River Zone)

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

  • June 16 – July 14:  One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit.
  • 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.

  • June 16 –July 14 and September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
  • July 15 – September 15:  Closed to angling.

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.

  • June 16 –July 14 and September 16-December 31:  See rules for Columbia mainstem from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam.
  • July 15 – September 15:  Closed to angling.

deschutes river

John Day River (downstream of Tumwater Falls)

  • June 16 – August 31:  one hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit
  • 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 (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-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

Sturgeon Fishing on the Columbia
Sturgeon Fishing on the Columbia. Photo by Shaianne Garland

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.

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 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 25 through Friday, July 3 angling for salmon and steelhead is prohibited on the mainstem Columbia River downstream of the OR/WA border.
  • Effective Saturday, July 4 through Wednesday, July 8 angling for hatchery summer Chinook (adults and jacks) will be open from Tongue Point upstream to the OR/WA border upstream of McNary Dam. Retention of sockeye and steelhead is prohibited in this fishery. All sockeye and steelhead must be released immediately unharmed.
  • Angling for shad is open from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA Border.
  • White sturgeon retention is closed from Buoy 10 upstream to Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam), but remains an option for catch-and-release fishing except during Sanctuary area closures during May 1-August 31. See 2020 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for sanctuary area descriptions.

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

Salmon, Steelhead and Shad

On Saturday’s (6/27) flight, 15 shad boats and nine Oregon bank shad anglers were counted from Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam.  

Gorge Bank:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed no catch for two salmonid bank anglers; and 67 shad kept for 34 shad anglers.

Gorge Boats:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed no catch for one salmonid boat (three anglers); and 130 shad kept for 10 shad boats (28 anglers).

Troutdale Boats:

Closed.  No report.

Portland to Westport Bank:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed two steelhead, and 22 sockeye kept, plus two adult Chinook and three sockeye released for 85 salmonid bank anglers.

Portland to St. Helens Boats:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed three adult Chinook released for two salmonid boats (three anglers).

Goble to Beaver (Clatskanie) Boats:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed four steelhead and eight sockeye kept, plus one steelhead and three adult Chinook released for 14 boats (43 anglers).

Wauna Powerlines to Astoria Bank:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed one steelhead and one sockeye kept for three bank anglers.

Westport to Astoria-Megler Bridge Boats:

Closed.  Weekly checking showed 11 steelhead and 12 sockeye kept, plus four adult Chinook and five steelhead released for 22 boats (56 anglers).

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

Closed.  Weekly checking showed three sockeye kept, plus three sockeye released for 15 salmonid bank anglers; and no catch for two salmonid boats (two anglers).  One hundred twenty-three shad were kept, and 176 shad released for 22 shad anglers.

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

Closed.   Weekly checking showed no catch for two salmonid boats (three anglers); and 301 shad kept, plus 101 shad released for 47 shad anglers.

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

Closed.  Weekly checking showed no catch for two salmonid boats (four anglers); and 649 shad kept, plus 562 shad released for 44 shad boats.

STURGEON

Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):  Closed for retention.  Weekly checking showed eight sublegal sturgeon released for two boats (seven 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.  Weekly checking showed five sublegal, 16 legal and one oversize sturgeon released for one boat (four anglers).

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

Closed for retention.  No report.

WALLEYE

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

Bonneville Pool:  No report.

The Dalles Pool:  Weekly checking showed 15 walleye kept, plus two walleye released for five boats (eight anglers).

John Day Pool:  Weekly checking showed 34 walleye kept, plus 29 walleye released for 14 boats (33 anglers).