Upper Columbia River salmon fishery update

August 14, 2024

Action: Closes Chinook salmon retention.  

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Specific locations, effective dates, and rules: 

  1. Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: 

    Aug. 16 through Aug. 31, 2024: Salmon: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four sockeye.  Release all salmon other than sockeye.

  2. Rocky Reach Dam to Wells Dam: 

    Aug. 16 through Sept. 20, 2024: Salmon: Minimum size 12 inches.  Daily limit four sockeye.  Release all salmon other than sockeye.

  3. Wells Dam to Highway 173 at Brewster:

    Aug. 16 through Sept. 20, 2024: Salmon: Minimum size 12 inches.  Daily limit four sockeye.  Release all salmon other than sockeye.

  4. A line drawn between Gun Club Road and Pelican Point to Chief Joseph Dam:

    Aug. 16 through Sept. 20, 2024: Salmon: Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit four sockeye.  Release all salmon other than sockeye.

  5. Entiat River: 

    Aug. 16 through Sept. 30:  Salmon closed.

  6. Chelan River:

    Aug. 16 through Oct. 15 Salmon closed.

Reason for action: The non-treaty harvest share for summer Chinook has been met in the Columbia River above Priest Rapids Dam.      

Additional information: Fishing for fall Chinook from Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam will open Sept. 1, as described in the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet.

Existing summer Chinook fishing closures above Priest Rapids Dam, including tributaries, remain in effect.

This Fishing Rule Change was updated Sept. 19 to update the end dates of listed seasons affected by the Upper Columbia salmon fishery updates in the Fishing Rule Change posted Sept. 19

Information contact: Region 2, 509-754-4624.

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.