Lower Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery update

October 30, 2024

Action:  Allows hatchery steelhead retention from The Dalles Dam upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco.

Species affected:  Salmon and hatchery steelhead.

Effective Date:  Immediately, through Dec. 31, 2024.

Location: From a true north and south line projected through Buoy 10 upstream 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.)

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to three adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

From the west end of Puget Island upstream to Beacon Rock:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

From Beacon Rock upstream to a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp to an Oregon boundary marker on the westernmost point of Robins Island to a marker on the Oregon mainland shore:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook may be retained.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Closed.

From a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp to an Oregon boundary marker on the westernmost point of Robins Island to a marker on the Oregon mainland shore upstream to a point 600 feet below the new Bonneville Dam Powerhouse:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

From Bonneville Dam to Hood River Bridge:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook may be retained.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead.

From Hood River Bridge upstream to The Dalles Dam:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook may be retained.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, coho, and hatchery steelhead.

From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approx. 1300’ upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approx. 200’ above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco:

  • Immediately through Oct. 31:  Daily limit six.  Up to two adult salmon including no more than one Chinook may be retained.  Salmon minimum size 12 inches.  Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and coho.
  • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31:  Daily limit six. Up to two adults including no more than one Chinook may be retained. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook, coho, and hatchery steelhead.

Reason for action:  The Columbia River Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) updated the B-Index summer steelhead return at Bonneville Dam to 49,900 compared to the preseason forecast of 32,200.  Sufficient available ESA-Impacts allow for hatchery steelhead retention opportunity in this area.

Additional information: Find more information about this rule change in the WDFW Salmon Fishing Current blog. Additional rules and area descriptions can be found in the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

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. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

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.