2025 Columbia River spring Chinook seasons announced

RIDGEFIELD – Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon approved this year’s Columbia River recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season during a joint state hearing Wednesday.

The 2025 forecast for upriver spring Chinook is 122,500 fish, which is more than the 116,332 that returned to the Columbia River in 2024, but lower than the 10-year average of 139,676.

“With an upriver run size similar to recent years, we’re able to provide some quality mainstem fishing opportunities,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “We also have an obligation to protect upriver stocks listed under the Endangered Species Act, which requires careful management to ensure the long-term stability of these fisheries.”

Salmon and steelhead fishing is open daily through March 31 from the mouth of the Columbia River to the Interstate 5 bridge under permanent regulations. However, spring Chinook typically don’t arrive in large numbers until late March or April.

The Columbia River will be open for the following dates and locations in 2025:

• March 1 through April 6: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline.
  • Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. All wild steelhead and salmon other than hatchery Chinook must be released. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep. Shad retention is permitted, with no size minimum or daily limit.
• April 1-26: Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to the Washington/Oregon border, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines.
  • Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. All wild steelhead and salmon other than hatchery Chinook must be released. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep.

In 2025, recreational anglers are projected to harvest approximately 5,200 adult Chinook below Bonneville Dam, and 550 from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.

“Fortunately, we are able to provide a quality April weekend fishing opportunity downstream of Bonneville Dam this year,” Lothrop said. “Upstream of Bonneville Dam, increasing catch rates in recent years have led to early closures, resulting in fewer open fishing days before this year’s in-season run size update. However, if the run size update is large enough or if there’s remaining catch allocation, additional fishing time is likely.”

Fishery managers will monitor the fisheries, dam counts, and hatchery returns as the season progresses and adjust as necessary. The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee typically provides a run size update in mid-May.

Salmon and steelhead rules and limits in Deep River will be the same as the mainstem Columbia River when the mainstem is open to spring Chinook retention. Based on preseason forecasts, anglers can also expect to harvest spring Chinook in the Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in 2025.

Anglers should review the Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet or Fish Washington® mobile app for all permanent rules for the waters they plan to fish, as well as check for any emergency rule changes before heading out. Regulations may be modified in-season as returns materialize.

To receive regulation updates and Columbia River Compact fishery notices via email, subscribe to WDFW’s mailing lists.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.