The following is a brief summary of emergency sport fishing regulations for the mainstem Columbia River and tributaries and southwest Washington lakes. Emergency rules listed below reflect emergency changes to the respective permanent rule listed in the current 2022/2023 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. All other permanent rules listed in the pamphlet apply. Including minimum size, barbless hook, night closure and anti-snagging rule. Download or view the 2022-23 fishing regulation pamphlet.
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Salmon and Steelhead
Mainstem Columbia River - Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam
- Buoy 10 upstream to Megler-Astoria Bridge: Immediately through July 31, 2023: Closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
- Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam: Immediately through June 15, 2023: Closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead. Shad retention allowed.
- Effective June 16 through July 31, 2023: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.
Mainstem Columbia River from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border:
- Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam: Immediately through June 15, 2023: Closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead. Shad retention allowed.
- Effective June 16 through July 31, 2023: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.
- The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300’ upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200’ above the fish ladder exit: Immediately until further notice: Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
- From a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1300’ upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore located approximately 200’ above the fish ladder exit upstream to Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: Immediately through June 15, 2023: Closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead. Shad retention allowed.
- Effective June 16 through July 31, 2023: Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained, of which up to 1 may be a steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon min. size 12”. Release wild steelhead.
Columbia River Tributaries below Bonneville Dam and southwest Washington lakes:
- Cowlitz River: May 26, 2023 until further notice, the posted fishing boundary markers will be located at the 100-foot distance below the Barrier Dam.
- Lewis River: May 25 through July 31, 2023, from the mouth to Colvin Cr. Min size 12”. Daily limit 6, up to 1 hatchery Chinook adult may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
Columbia River Tributaries between Bonneville and McNary Dams:
- Wind River: Until further notice, from the mouth to 800 yards downstream of Carson National Fish Hatchery: Salmon and hatchery steelhead: Daily limit 6. Up to 1 adult salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead or up to 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho.
- Klickitat River: From the mouth to boundary markers below Klickitat Salmon Hatchery: Effective immediately until further notice, Salmon: Closed.
Sturgeon
Statewide permanent rules:
- Fishing for sturgeon at night is closed.
- Sturgeon sanctuaries go into effect May 1 through August 31.
- During a retention period: Daily limit 1 fish, annual limit 2 fish.
- Oversize sturgeon, greater than 55” fork length, may not be removed totally or partially from the water.
- Retention of Green Sturgeon is prohibited.
Columbia River, from Buoy 10 upstream to McNary Dam:
- Open for catch and release fishing only.
Eulachon
- All areas: Closed to fishing and harvest.
Additional information regarding Cowlitz River Smelt fishing can be found online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/smelt