Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

August 30, 2022

Action:  Closes Chinook retention.

Species affected:  Salmon and steelhead.

Effective Date:  Aug. 31, 2022

Locations, dates, and rules:  

 

  1. From a true north and south line through Buoy 10 to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line (a 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), and including Youngs Bay:

Aug. 31 through Sept. 7:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 2.  Coho min. size 16”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho. 

Sept. 8 through Sept 30:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 3.  Coho min. size 16”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Oct. 1 through Oct. 31:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adults may be retained. Coho min. size 12”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Nov. 1, until further notice:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adults may be retained, including no more than 2 hatchery steelhead. Coho min. size 12”. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead.

 

  1. From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to the west end of Puget Island (a line at the west end of Puget Island projected from green navigation marker 39 on the Washington bank to green navigation marker 41, then to red navigation marker 42, and terminating at red navigation marker 44A on the Oregon bank):

Aug. 31 through Sept. 7:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6, including no more than 2 adults.  Coho min. size 12”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Sept. 8 through Sept 30:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 3.  Coho min. size 12”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Oct. 1 through Oct. 31:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adults may be retained. Coho min. size 12”.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

Nov. 1, until further notice:  Salmon and steelhead:  Daily limit 6. Up to 3 adults may be retained, including no more than 2 hatchery steelhead. Coho min. size 12”. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead.

 

Reason for action:  Combined strong effort and high catch rates resulted in the Buoy 10 fishery exceeding its planned Chinook ESA-listed impacts, particularly the recent non-mark selective Chinook retention days that began on August 25. Joint State action was necessary to limit additional Chinook impacts and allow the hatchery coho retention fishery to remain open.

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.

Anglers can be notified of all in-season rules changes as they are announced by signing up for WDFW Regulation Updates at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

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.