Lower Columbia River salmon fishery update

September 18, 2020

Action: Opens Chinook salmon retention.

Species affected: Salmon.

Locations, dates, and rules:

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

Sept. 19 - Sept 30: Chinook min. size 24". Coho min. size 16". Daily limit 2, up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.

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

Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook and up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release wild steelhead.

(2) From the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line to Bonneville Dam: salmon and steelhead:

Sept. 19 - Oct. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.

Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook and up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release wild steelhead.

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

Sept. 19 - Oct. 15: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead. Anti Snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16 - Oct. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.

Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook and up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release wild steelhead.


(4) From the Hood River Bridge to The Dalles Dam: Salmon and steelhead:

Sept. 19 - Oct. 15: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Anti Snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16 - Oct. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead.

Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook and up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release wild steelhead.

(5) From The Dalles Dam to the Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: Salmon and steelhead:

Sept. 19 - Oct. 15: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead. Anti Snagging rule in effect. Only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

Oct. 16 - Dec. 31: Salmon min. size 12". Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho. Release all steelhead.


Reason for action: This action is consistent with the decisions made by the states of Washington and Oregon during the September 17, 2020 Joint State hearing. Upriver bright fall chinook and lower river hatchery tule fall chinook impacts remain to provide additional opportunity in the mainstem fishery. This action is consistent with the pre-season fishing plan for post-update fisheries.

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.