Lower Columbia River Regulation Updates

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
https://wdfw.wa.gov/

September 10, 2020

Lower Columbia River salmon fishery update

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. 9 – Sept. 10: Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit two hatchery coho. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
   • Sept. 11 – Sept. 13: Chinook min. size 24 inches. Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit two, up to one may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
   • Sept. 14 – Sept. 22: Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit two. Release all salmon other than hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
   • Sept. 23 – Sept 30: Chinook min. size 24 inches. Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit two, up to one may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
   • Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a Chinook. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
   • Nov. 1 – Dec. 31: Coho min. size 16 inches. Daily limit six. Up to two adults may be retained, of which up to one may be a Chinook and up to one 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 the Hood River Bridge: salmon and steelhead:
   • Sept. 11 – Sept. 13: Salmon min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. Release all salmon other than Chinook and hatchery coho. Release all steelhead.
      
3. From the Hood River Bridge to the Hwy. 395 Bridge at Pasco: Salmon and steelhead:
   • Sept. 11 – Sept. 13: Salmon min. size 12 inches. Daily limit one. 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 9, 2020, Columbia River Compact. Additional upriver bright fall Chinook and Lower River Hatchery tule fall Chinook impacts remain to provide additional opportunity in the Buoy 10 fishery. This action is consistent with the pre-season fishing plan for pre-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.