Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

June 6, 2024

Action: Extends spring season and sets summer season regulations downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.

Species affected: Salmon and hatchery steelhead.

Effective Date: June 8 through July 31, 2024.

Locations, dates, and rules:

  1. Columbia River from the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Rocky Point/Tongue Point:
  • June 16 through June 19:  Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

  • June 20 through July 31:  Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

     

  1. Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point to Bonneville Dam:
  • June 8 through June 15: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. No more than two adults may be retained, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.
  • June 16 through June 19: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

  • June 20 through July 31: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

     

  1. Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Tower Island power lines:
  • June 8 through June 15: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. No more than two adults may be retained, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.  Release wild steelhead. Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-cast lines from shore.
  • June 16 through June 30: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

  • July 1 through July 31: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

     

  1. Columbia River from Tower Island power lines to The Dalles Dam:
  • June 8 through June 15: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. No more than two adults may be retained, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.
  • June 16 through June 30: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

  • July 1 through July 31: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

     

  1. Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1,300 feet 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 feet above the fish ladder exit:

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

     

  1. Columbia River from a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1,300 feet 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 feet above the fish ladder exit upstream to Highway 730 at the Washington/Oregon border:
  • June 8 through June 15: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. No more than two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.
  • June 16 through June 30: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

  • July 1 through July 31: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

     

  1. Columbia River from Highway 730 at the Washington/Oregon border upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco:
  • June 16 through June 30: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.
  • July 1 through July 31: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.

Reason for action: The recreational fishery has sufficient remaining allocation of upriver spring Chinook Endangered Species Act impacts to allow an extension for the fishery above Bonneville Dam and rescinds hand-cast only and angling from a vessel restriction from Beacon Rock to Hamilton boat ramp downstream of Bonneville Dam. This action also applies summer fishery rules developed through the 2024 North of Falcon season setting process and is consistent with co-manager agreements.

Additional information: Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. Anglers may fish for salmon and steelhead from a vessel between Beacon Rock and Hamilton Island boat ramp beginning June 8, 2024. Sockeye count toward the adult portion of the daily limit. All year-round closure areas listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and other permanent regulations apply.

 

Information contact: Region 5 (Ridgefield Office), 360-696-6211; Region 3 (Yakima Office), 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.