Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

Action:  Closes adult summer Chinook retention downstream of Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco.

Species affected:  Salmon

Locations, dates, and rules:  

1. From the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to The Dalles Dam:

Immediately through June 30:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained including no more than 1 steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.

July 1 through July 31:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained including no more than 1 steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.

2. From The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300’ upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200’ above the fish ladder exit:

Immediately until further notice:  Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.

3. From a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300’ upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200’ above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco.

Immediately through June 30:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained including no more than 1 steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.

July 1 through July 31:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained including no more than 1 steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.

Reason for action:  The 2023 summer Chinook return is tracking less than the preseason forecast of 85,400 to the Columbia River mouth.  The summer Chinook return is expected to be downgraded by the Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee.  Given the reduced abundance, fisheries downstream of Priest Rapids Dam will have achieved the area-specific summer Chinook allocation.

Additional information:  Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of the Washington/Oregon border at Hwy. 730.

Sockeye count toward the adult portion of the daily limit. 

All year-round closure areas and other permanent rules apply.

Information contact:  Region 5:  (360) 696-6211; Region 3:  (509) 575-2740