Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

October 4, 2023

Note:  This FRC was edited on Oct. 5 to clarify that wild coho may be retained from the Hood River Bridge to the Dalles Dam. 

 

Action: Extends Chinook retention from Bonneville Dam to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. Maintains previously announced changes from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam.

Species affected: Salmon.

Effective Date: Immediately, through Dec. 31, 2023.

Locations:

Columbia River from a true north and south line projected through Buoy 10 upstream to the west end of Puget Island (a line at the west end of Puget Island projected from green navigation marker 39 on the Washington bank to green navigation marker 41, then to red navigation marker 42, and terminating at red navigation marker 44A on the Oregon bank).

  • Immediately through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to three (3) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to three (3) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook and no more than two (2) hatchery steelhead may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River from the west end of Puget Island upstream to Beacon Rock:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook and no more than two (2) hatchery steelhead may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River from Beacon Rock upstream to a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp to an Oregon boundary marker on the westernmost point of Robins Island to a marker on the Oregon mainland shore:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Closed.

Columbia River from a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp to an Oregon boundary marker on the westernmost point of Robins Island to a marker on the Oregon mainland shore upstream to a point 600 feet below the new Bonneville Dam Powerhouse:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook and no more than two (2) hatchery steelhead may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Hood River Bridge:

  • Immediately through Oct. 15: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.  Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.
  • Oct. 16 through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook and no more than two (2) hatchery steelhead may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River from Hood River Bridge upstream to The Dalles Dam:

  • Immediately through Oct. 15: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho.  Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.
  • Oct. 16 through Oct. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adults including no more than one (1) Chinook and no more than two (2) hatchery steelhead may be retained. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River from a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1,300 feet upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco:

  • Immediately through Oct. 15: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho. Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.
  • Oct. 16 through Dec. 31: Daily limit is six (6). Up to two (2) adult salmon including no more than one (1) Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho.

Reason for action: The Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recently updated the upriver stock component of the Chinook return to the Columbia River mouth to 680,400. Current in-season evaluation of catch and stock composition allows for additional Chinook retention opportunity in areas upstream of Bonneville Dam.

Additional information:  Additional rules and area descriptions can be found in the 2023/24 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Information contact:  Region 5 Office, 360-696-6211.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.