Upper Columbia River salmon fishery update

September 15, 2021

Action: Opens retention of coho.

Species affected: Salmon.

Effective dates, locations and rules:

1) Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam: Sept. 18 through Oct. 15, 2021. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult Chinook and up to four (4) may be coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release sockeye.

2) Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam: Sept. 18 through Oct. 15, 2021. Daily limit six (6) salmon. Up to two (2) may be adult hatchery Chinook and up to four (4) may be coho. Minimum size 12 inches. Release wild adult Chinook and sockeye.

Reason for action: Returns of upper Columbia River-bound coho salmon are sufficient to meet conservation objectives and to provide for sport angler harvest.

Additional information: WDFW will be monitoring the fishery closely and may close the season early if necessary due to excessive incidental catch-and-release impacts to ESA-listed summer steelhead. For emergency rule updates, please visit fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/.

Information contact: Call the Ephrata regional office (509-754-4624) or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov.


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.