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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.
Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Regulation Updates
Regulation Updates as of September 17, 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.
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Fall Season (August 1-December 31 timeframe)
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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Retention of adult hatchery coho (16-inches and longer) allowed. The daily adult bag limit is two adult salmon (hatchery coho only). All Chinook and steelhead must be released.
- 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 or 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
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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 or 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
- 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 or 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
- 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 or 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
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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 or 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
- 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.
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Additional regulations by date period are described below:
- September 14 – 18: Salmonid angling prohibited.
- 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.
- June 16 – July 14: One hatchery steelhead allowed in the adult salmonid daily limit.
- July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
- 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.
- 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 (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 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.
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.
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
- 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
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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 12 and Saturday September 19 (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 retention fisheries in 2019).
- 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
Recreation Report
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.
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:
- Compact/Joint State hearing scheduled for 1:00 PM Thursday September 17, 2020 via teleconference to consider recreational salmon fisheries, treaty Indian commercial fisheries, and non-treaty commercial fisheries.
- White sturgeon retention will be open on Saturday September 19 from Wauna Powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam (see Sport Fishing Regulations Updates page for additional regulation details).
- Effective Aug. 14 through Dec. 31, fall salmon seasons are open from Buoy 10 upstream to Tongue Point (see Sport Fishing Regulations Updates page for additional regulation details).
- Effective Sept. 14 through Sept. 22, fall salmon seasons are CLOSED on the mainstem Columbia River from Tongue Point to the Hwy 395 Bridge in Pasco, WA (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
Salmonid boats fishing in the gorge averaged 2.57 Chinook, 0.03 coho and 0.03 steelhead caught per boat, while anglers fishing the Portland to St. Helens area averaged 1.10 Chinook and 0.05 coho caught per boat. Boat anglers fishing in the Goble to Beaver area averaged 1.34 Chinook and 0.10 coho caught per boat, while anglers fishing the Westport to Tongue Point area averaged 0.48 Chinook and 2.17 coho caught per boat. Boat anglers fishing at Buoy 10 averaged 0.40 Chinook and 1.40 coho caught per boat.
Gorge Bank:
CLOSED. Weekend checking showed no catch for 22 bank anglers.
Gorge Boats:
CLOSED. Weekend checking showed 155 adult Chinook, and 17 jack Chinook kept, plus two adult Chinook, two adult coho and two steelhead released for 61 boats (215 anglers).
Troutdale Boats:
CLOSED. No report.
Portland to Westport Bank:
CLOSED. No report.
Portland to St. Helens Boats:
CLOSED. Weekend checking showed 58 adult Chinook, eight jack Chinook and one adult coho kept, plus 10 adult Chinook and two adult coho released for 62 boats (166 anglers).
Goble to Beaver (Clatskanie) Boats:
CLOSED. Weekend checking showed 90 adult Chinook, three jack Chinook and seven adult coho kept for 67 boats (176 anglers).
Beaver (Clatskanie) to Westport Boats:
CLOSED. No report.
Wauna Powerlines to Clatsop Spit Bank:
CLOSED. No report.
Westport to Tongue Point Boats:
CLOSED. Weekend checking showed nine adult Chinook, one jack Chinook, 12 adult coho and two jack coho kept, plus two adult Chinook, four jack Chinook, 38 adult coho and nine jack coho released for 23 boats (70 anglers).
Tongue Point to Buoy 10 Boats:
Weekend checking showed 16 adult Chinook, and 111 adult coho kept, plus 62 adult Chinook and 161 adult coho released for 194 boats (568 anglers).
Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):
Weekly checking showed 129 adult Chinook, and 10 jack Chinook kept, plus 17 adult Chinook and three adult coho released for 108 boats (299 anglers).
The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):
Weekly checking showed 38 adult Chinook, and one jack Chinook kept, plus two adult Chinook and one steelhead released for 34 boats (88 anglers).
John Day Pool (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam):
Weekly checking showed no catch for one bank angler; and one adult Chinook and two adult coho kept for 11 boats (24 anglers).
STURGEON
Gorge Bank:
Weekend checking showed no catch for four bank anglers.
Gorge Boats:
Weekend checking showed two legal white sturgeon kept, plus four sublegal sturgeon released for six boats (16 anglers).
Troutdale Bank:
Weekend checking showed nine sublegal white sturgeon released for 13 bank anglers.
Troutdale Boats:
Weekend checking showed one sublegal white sturgeon released for one boat (two anglers).
Portland Bank:
Weekend checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus three sublegal and one overlegal white sturgeon released for 34 bank anglers.
Portland Boats:
Weekend checking showed 11 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 35 sublegal and two overlegal white sturgeon released for 16 boats (36 anglers).
St. Helens Boats:
Weekend checking showed 36 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 92 sublegal and 51 overlegal white sturgeon released for 15 boats (49 boats).
Rainier Bank:
Weekend checking showed three legal white sturgeon kept, plus five sublegal white sturgeon released for 59 bank anglers.
Rainier/Longview Boats:
Weekend checking showed six legal white sturgeon kept, plus 14 sublegal and one overlegal white sturgeon released for 14 boats (37 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 three sublegal, three legal and one oversize white sturgeon released for four boats (15 anglers).
WALLEYE
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam): No report.
Bonneville Pool: No report.
The Dalles Pool: No report.
John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed 14 walleye kept for seven bank anglers; and four walleye kept, plus one walleye released for two boats (six anglers).