Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
Columbia Fishing
April 9, 2026
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities:
Spring Chinook reopens below Bonneville Dam for three days beginning April 11
With the additional days, the following regulations are in effect:
Dates: Chinook retention allowed Saturday, April 11 – Monday, April 13
Daily adult bag limit: Two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook.
Open area: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock plus only the Oregon and Washington banks from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. Shad may also be retained.
Columbia River regulation changes for the 2026 spring Chinook fishery are posted. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details.
Announcements
For the latest regulations, including in-season changes
See the fishing regulations update page.
Forecasts for 2026 Columbia River Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook and Sockeye are available here.
Fish consumption advisories
The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.
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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.
Click here to find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon.
SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD
On Saturday's (4/4) effort count, there were 368 bank anglers and 830 boats from Bonneville to Buoy 10. Fishing for Chinook is slow but improving, especially in the lower areas of the river.
Gorge: Weekly checking showed no catch for three boats (nine anglers); and one Chinook kept for 28 bank anglers.
Troutdale: Weekly checking showed three Chinook kept, and one Chinook released for 65 boats (137 anglers).
Portland Airport to Warrior Rock: Weekly checking showed 13 Chinook kept, and three Chinook released for 109 boats (300 anglers); and no catch for 34 bank anglers.
Warrior Rock to Prescott: Weekly checking showed 17 Chinook kept, and one Chinook released for 86 boats (231 anglers); and no catch for two bank anglers.
Prescott to Wallace Island: Weekly checking showed 12 Chinook and one steelhead kept, and one steelhead released for 67 boats (143 anglers); and six Chinook and six steelhead kept, and one Chinook and two steelhead released for 242 bank anglers.
Wallace Island to Buoy 10: Weekly checking showed 84 Chinook and two steelhead kept, and nine Chinook and one steelhead released for 146 boats (360 anglers); and three steelhead kept for 41 bank anglers.
STURGEON
Lower Columbia River: No report.
Above Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam: No report.