Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

September 14, 2022

Updated Sept. 16 to reflect permanent rules from Buoy 10 to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line during the remainder of Sept.

Action:  Opens salmon seasons in portions of the Columbia downstream of Bonneville Dam.

Species affected:  Salmon and steelhead.

Locations, rules, and effective dates:  

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

Immediately through Sept. 30 (permanent rules as listed in 2022/2023 pamphlet):  Daily limit 3. Min. size 16”. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

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

Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit 6. Min. size 12”. Up to 3 adults, including no more than 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead.

2.  From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to a straight line from a fishing boundary sign on the Oregon shore near the old Corbett boat ramp through the eastern tip of

Image
Eastern Reed Island line:  This image depicts the boundary line set at the eastern end of Reed Island.
Photo by WDFW

Reed Island (East Reed Island line) to the Washington shore, including Camas Slough:

Immediately, until further notice:  Closed.

3.  From the East Reed Island line to a point 600’ below the new Bonneville Dam Powerhouse:

Immediately, through Sept. 14:  Closed.

Sept. 15 through Oct. 31:  Daily limit 6. Salmon min. size 12". Up to 2 adults, including no more than 1 Chinook may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.

Reason for action:  Current in-season projections indicate a directed coho fishery downstream of the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line would result in minimal impacts on ESA-listed lower river tule Chinook.  Additionally, historical data indicates no additional lower river tule chinook impacts would occur upstream of Reed Island. These fisheries are opened under joint-state agreement.

Additional information:  All other permanent regulations apply.

Staff will continue to monitor the progress of ongoing fisheries, with an expectation to manage within allowed ESA impact rates.

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

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, 833-855-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.