February 25, 2021
Action: Sets fishing regulations for spring Chinook in the Columbia River.
Species affected: Spring Chinook, steelhead, shad
Location, dates, and rule:
(1) Columbia River, from the Buoy 10 line upstream to Bonneville Dam, and including Deep River:
March 1 through April 4: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 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 min. size or daily limit.
Additional information: Fishing for salmon or steelhead from a vessel is prohibited in the mainstem Columbia River between boundary lines as described below and includes all of Carrolls Channel:
Downstream boundary - From a point on the Washington shore projected through Dolphin Marker J (near Shipping Terminal 9), southerly across the Columbia River to Columbia Park Boat Ramp in Rainier, Oregon.
Upstream boundary - From a point on the Washington shore projected through Cottonwood Island Dike Light “31”, southerly across the Columbia River to a deadline marker on the Oregon shore.
Carrolls Channel is defined as waters beginning at the upstream end of Cottonwood Island downstream to the Cowlitz and Columbia River confluence.
Bank angling with hand-cast lines only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline.
The legal upstream boat boundary defined as: A deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock.
(2) Columbia River, from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam:
March 1 through March 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
March 16 through May 5: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.
Additional information: Bank angling with hand-cast lines only from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam).
(3) Columbia River, from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon and Washington border
March 1 through March 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
March 16 through May 5: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adults of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.
(4) Columbia River, from the Oregon and Washington border upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco
March 1 through March 31: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
Reason for action: Sets 2021 spring Chinook and steelhead season in the Columbia River consistent with the Compact Action of February 23, 20201. Spring Chinook runs are projected to be significantly lower than recent years. The fisheries were set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to minimize impacts to other stocks of concern.
Additional information: All other permanent regulations apply.
Staff will monitor the fishery in-season. After the closure of the fishery, staff will review catches and determine if additional fishing opportunity is warranted.
Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211, Region 3: (509) 575-2474.
Species affected: Spring Chinook, steelhead, shad
Location, dates, and rule:
(1) Columbia River, from the Buoy 10 line upstream to Bonneville Dam, and including Deep River:
March 1 through April 4: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 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 min. size or daily limit.
Additional information: Fishing for salmon or steelhead from a vessel is prohibited in the mainstem Columbia River between boundary lines as described below and includes all of Carrolls Channel:
Downstream boundary - From a point on the Washington shore projected through Dolphin Marker J (near Shipping Terminal 9), southerly across the Columbia River to Columbia Park Boat Ramp in Rainier, Oregon.
Upstream boundary - From a point on the Washington shore projected through Cottonwood Island Dike Light “31”, southerly across the Columbia River to a deadline marker on the Oregon shore.
Carrolls Channel is defined as waters beginning at the upstream end of Cottonwood Island downstream to the Cowlitz and Columbia River confluence.
Bank angling with hand-cast lines only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline.
The legal upstream boat boundary defined as: A deadline marker on the Oregon bank (approximately four miles downstream from Bonneville Dam Powerhouse One) in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock.
(2) Columbia River, from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam:
March 1 through March 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
March 16 through May 5: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, up to 2 adults may be retained of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.
Additional information: Bank angling with hand-cast lines only from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam).
(3) Columbia River, from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon and Washington border
March 1 through March 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
March 16 through May 5: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adults of which no more than 1 may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size: 12 inches.
(4) Columbia River, from the Oregon and Washington border upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco
March 1 through March 31: Daily limit 1 hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon and wild steelhead.
Reason for action: Sets 2021 spring Chinook and steelhead season in the Columbia River consistent with the Compact Action of February 23, 20201. Spring Chinook runs are projected to be significantly lower than recent years. The fisheries were set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to minimize impacts to other stocks of concern.
Additional information: All other permanent regulations apply.
Staff will monitor the fishery in-season. After the closure of the fishery, staff will review catches and determine if additional fishing opportunity is warranted.
Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211, Region 3: (509) 575-2474.