Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

September 30, 2021

Action: Opens Chinook retention from Buoy 10 upstream to the Warrior Rock line.

Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.

Effective Date: Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2021

Locations, dates, and rules:

1. From a true north-south line through Buoy 10 upstream to a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon Bank (the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line), and including Youngs Bay:

Immediately through Sept. 30, 2021: Min. size 16". Daily limit 3. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, 2021: Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adults may be retained, of which 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.

2. From a line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank (Rocky Point/Tongue Point line) to a line projected from the Warrior Rock lighthouse through Red Buoy 4 to the marker atop the piling dolphin located at the downstream end of Bachelor Island on the Washington Shore (Warrior Rock line):

Immediately through Sept. 30, 2021: Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, 2021: Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.

3. Camas Slough, waters of the mainstem Columbia River north of Lady Island between a line projected northerly from western (downstream) end of Lady Island to the Washington Shore and the Highway 14 Bridge on the eastern (upstream) end of Lady Island:

Immediately through Sept. 30: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.

Reason for action: Current in-season catch projections indicate that few ESA-listed lower river Chinook tules are expected to be caught within the portion of river set to reopen to Chinook retention. Additionally, ESA-listed Snake River wild Chinook impacts are available to mainstem recreational fisheries, given the recent in-season Upriver Bright run-size update. Fisheries are managed to remain under ESA impact limits.

Additional information: The Camas Slough closure will help provide additional protection for returning tule Chinook.

Information contact: Region 5, 360-696-6211

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. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at 360-902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call toll free 866-880-5431.

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.