Lower Columbia River summer salmon and steelhead fishery update
Action: Sets summer salmon and steelhead season rules downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
Species affected: All species.
Columbia River locations, dates, and rules:
From the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Bonneville Dam; except the mainstem area adjacent to Tanner Creek on the Oregon shore:
- June 16–22:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- June 23–July 5:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- July 6–31:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
From a line between markers located on the Oregon shore, 450 feet downstream and 150 feet upstream of the Tanner Creek mouth, out to the center of the Columbia River:
- June 16–July 15:
- All species: Closed waters.
Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam:
- June 16–22:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- June 23–July 5:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- July 6–31:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
From The Dalles Dam, upstream to a line starting at 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 south shore, located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit:
- June 16–July 31:
- Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
From a line starting at 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 south shore, located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit, upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
- June 16–22:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- June 23–July 5:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- July 6–31:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
Reason for action: This action applies summer fishery rules developed through the 2026 North of Falcon season setting process and is consistent with co-manager agreements.
The closure area at the mouth of Tanner Creek concurs with rules placed by Oregon for protection of sockeye returning to Bonneville Hatchery. The Bonneville Hatchery is facilitating a reintroduction program for Wallowa Lake.
Additional information: Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
Continuing to fish for jack salmon is prohibited once the daily adult salmon and/or steelhead limit has been retained.
All year-round closure areas listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and other permanent regulations apply.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Southwest Region, 360-696-6211; South Central Region, 509-575-2740.
|
