Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

June 3, 2022

Action: Extends below Bonneville Dam boat angling area, re-opens Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border and increases adult salmon daily bag limit.

Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.

Effective Date: June 4 through July 31, 2022

Locations, dates, and rules:

(1) From the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line:

June 16 through June 22: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

June 23 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 1 steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

(2) From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam:

June 4 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

June 16 through June 22: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

June 23 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 1 steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

(3) From Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island Power lines:

June 4 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead. Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.

June 16 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

(4) From the Tower Island Power lines upstream to The Dalles Dam:

June 4 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

June 16 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

(5) From The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300' 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' above the fish ladder exit:

Immediately until further notice: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.

(6) From a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300’ 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’ above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 730 at the Washington and Oregon border:

June 4 through June 15: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

June 16 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.

(7) From Hwy. 730 at the Washington and Oregon border upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco:

June 16 through July 31: Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon min. size 12". Release wild steelhead.


Reason for action: The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee updated the 2022 upriver spring Chinook return to 192,900, which allows for additional spring Chinook directed angling opportunity. This action re-opens the spring Chinook fisheries and increases the daily adult limit consistent with the Compact Action of June 2, 2022. The fisheries were set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to minimize impacts to other stocks of concern.

Additional information: Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of the Washington/Oregon border at Hwy. 730.
All other permanent regulations apply.

Information contact: Region 5: (360) 696-6211; Region 3: (509) 575-2740

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.