Lower Columbia River to open for additional day of spring Chinook retention
Action: Adds one day of spring Chinook fishing in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam.
Species affected: Spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead, and shad.
Columbia River and Deep River locations, dates, and rules:
From the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (a deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately 4 miles downstream of Bonneville Dam’s Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock); including Deep River (Wahkiakum County):
- April 18 only:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- Shad retention is permitted, no minimum size or daily limit.
From Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam:
- April 18 only:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- All species: Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
- Shad retention is permitted, no minimum size or daily limit.
From Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam):
- Immediately–April 26:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- Salmon and steelhead: Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
- April 27–May 1:
- Salmon and steelhead: Closed
- May 2 only:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- Salmon and steelhead: Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.
From the Tower Island power lines upstream to The Dalles Dam:
- Immediately–April 26:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- April 27–May 1:
- Salmon and steelhead: Closed
- May 2 only:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300 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 730 at the Washington/Oregon border:
- Immediately–April 26:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
- April 27–May 1:
- Salmon and steelhead: Closed
- May 2 only:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
Reason for action: Adds an additional day of spring Chinook retention in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam consistent with joint state action taken on April 14, 2026.
Current catch estimates indicate enough room remains within the recreational harvest allocation to support an additional retention opportunity. Fisheries are set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to account for impacts to other stocks of concern.
Additional information: All other permanent rules apply, including year-round closure areas as listed in the 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.
Staff will continue to monitor the fishery in-season to determine if additional opportunities can be considered prior to the run size update in mid-May. Anglers can receive regulation updates and fishery notices via email by subscribing to WDFW’s Columbia River Compact mailing list.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.
Information contact: Southwest Region, 360-696-6211.
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