Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

September 16, 2021

Action: Opens salmon angling (hatchery coho) from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to the Warrior Rock line under permanent rules as listed in the 2021-22 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.

Effective Date: Sept. 17 through Oct. 31, 2021

Locations, dates, and rules:

1. 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. 16, 2021: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.

Sept. 17, 2021 - Oct. 31 This section returns to permanent rules as listed in the sport fishing pamphlet:

Min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.


2. 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 Endangered Species Act-listed lower river Chinook tules are expected to be handled within the portion of river set to reopen to hatchery coho under permanent regulations. The Camas Slough closure will help provide additional protection for returning tule Chinook. Fisheries are managed to remain under ESA impact limits.

Staff will continue to monitor the run and assess catch information to determine when and if additional fisheries can re-open at a later date.

Additional information: With the exception of the Camas Slough, Columbia River waters from the Warrior Rock line to Bonneville Dam on Sept. 11 returned to permanent rules as listed in the sport fishing pamphlet.

Information contact: WDFW 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.