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. 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.