Lower Columbia River salmon fishery update

September 30, 2020

Action: Increase adult Chinook daily limit.

Species affected: Salmon.

Locations, dates, and rules:

From the mouth (Buoy 10 line) to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line: salmon and steelhead:

Oct. 1-Oct. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Coho min. size 16". Release all steelhead.

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained, up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Coho min. size 16". Release wild steelhead.

From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to Bonneville Dam:

Oct. 1-Oct. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12".

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained, up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Coho min. size 16". Release wild steelhead.

From Bonneville Dam to the Hood River Bridge: salmon and steelhead:

Oct. 1-Oct. 15: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12". Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16-Oct. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12".

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained, up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Coho min. size 16". Release wild steelhead.

From the Hood River Bridge to The Dalles Dam: salmon and steelhead:

Oct. 1-Oct. 15: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12". Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16-Oct. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12".

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained, up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Coho min. size 16". Release wild steelhead.

From The Dalles Dam to the Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: salmon and steelhead:

Oct. 1-Oct. 15: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12". Anti-snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16-Dec. 31: Daily limit 6 salmon. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Salmon min. size 12".

Reason for action: This action is being taken to increase the adult Chinook daily limit to 2 fish per day as sufficient impacts to Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook remain available under the preseason fishing plan.

Additional information: Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of the Washington-Oregon border at Hwy. 730.

Please refer to permanent rules for dates not listed above.

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. 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.