
Columbia Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report

Feb. 1, 2023
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.
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities
- Retention of hatchery steelhead is allowed from Buoy 10 to the Dalles Dam through March 31, 2023.
- Retention of hatchery Chinook is allowed from Buoy 10 to the I-5 Bridge Jan. 1 – March 31, 2023.
- Bonneville Pool, The Dalles Pool, and John Day Pool are now closed to the retention of sturgeon. Catch-and-release fishing remains open in all three pools under permanent regulations.
- Please refer to the latest regulation updates for detailed information.
Announcements
2023 spring forecast
- 2023 Columbia River Adult Salmon Returns: Actual & Forecasted (pdf)
- Columbia River 2022 Fisheries Results and 2023 Expectations (pdf)
Sign up for the latest information on boater access
Marine Board’s Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon by clicking the Regulation Updates button.
Salmon, steelhead, and shad
The Columbia Sport creel program has ended for the year and will resume February of 2023.
Sturgeon
Bonneville Pool: Closed to retention. No report.
The Dalles Pool: Closed to retention. No report.
John Day Pool: Closed to retention. No report.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of Jan. 24, 2023.
The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.
Salmon, steelhead, and shad
The Dalles Dam upstream to OR/WA border
- January 6 - March 31: The Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam) is closed to angling for and retention of steelhead.
Sturgeon
See 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for legal size, daily and annual bag limits and sanctuary closure areas.
Columbia River Mainstem and Reservoirs, Buoy 10 to McNary Dam
- Except during any seasons listed below, retention of sturgeon is closed.
- Catch-and-release fishing is allowed all year except in the sturgeon spawning sanctuaries in the tailraces of Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day and McNary dams during May 1-August 31.
- Sturgeon retention fisheries in the reservoirs above Bonneville Dam have closed.
2023 seasons above Bonneville Dam
BONNEVILLE POOL
The Bonneville Pool is closed to sturgeon retention as of Jan 12.
THE DALLES POOL
The Dalles Pool is closed to sturgeon retention as of Jan. 26.
JOHN DAY POOL
The John Day Pool is closed to sturgeon retention as of Jan. 30.