Lower Columbia Springer Season Extended 2 More Days

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon took joint state action Tuesday, April 9, extending the recreational spring Chinook season on the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam through Thursday, April 11. 

The stretch of river from Buoy 10 to Bonneville Dam was previously set to close on April 9 following a four-day extension, though current catch estimates indicate additional fishing days can be supported. 

Decision makers considered testimony from last week’s Columbia River Compact hearing and updated catch estimates to inform their decision to add two more consecutive days. A hearing for this extension did not occur as Washington and Oregon staff remain focused on summer and fall salmon season setting at the Pacific Fishery Management Council.  

Fishing is permitted from the Buoy 10 line at the Columbia River mouth upstream to Beacon Rock (including boat and bank), plus bank angling by hand-cast only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. 

Fishery managers will monitor catches and Bonneville Dam fish passage counts as the spring season progresses. The run-size update typically occurs in mid-May.  

Anglers should review the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for the waters they plan to fish, as well as check for any emergency rule changes before heading out. 

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington took joint state action to add another two days (Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11) of recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing in the mainstem Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. 

“We heard public comment asking for another extension if there was room in our guidelines and discussed this type of action at our hearing last week,” said Tucker Jones, ODFW Columbia River Program Manager. “I’m happy we can add this time to the existing season structure to avoid a break in fishing.” 

With the additional days, the following regulations are in effect: 
Downstream of Bonneville Dam 

Dates: Open through Thursday, April 11 

Bag limit: Two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook. 

Open area: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (boat and bank) plus bank angling only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. For exact boundaries visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone. 

Shad may also be retained. 

Last week, staff extended the fishery through Tuesday, April 9. While catch and effort has started to increase, it still continues to remain below modeled projections, and staff believe this fishery could use a little more than half of its pre-update upriver spring Chinook allocation. This leaves room to add more days and remain confident the fishery will remain well within its conservation limits. 

Through Sunday, April 7, there have been about 34,300 angler trips, resulting in a harvest of approximately 2,000 adult spring Chinook. The recreational fishery has only used about 30 percent of the upriver spring Chinook allocation available to it prior to an in-season run size update which typically occurs in mid-May.  

 
There have been 270 adult spring Chinook counted at Bonneville Dam through April 8. It is still very early in the run—based on 10-year average run timing, less than 1 percent of the adult upriver spring Chinook destined for the Columbia River have passed Bonneville Dam. 

The season upstream of Bonneville Dam, from the Tower Island power lines upstream to the Oregon/Washington border, started April 1 and is scheduled to continue through Thursday, May 2. 

All other permanent regulations are in effect including the use of barbless hooks when angling for salmon or steelhead in mainstem Columbia River waters from the mouth upstream to the OR/WA state line.