Steelhead Opening On Columbia, Drano After More A-runs Than Expected Show

THE FOLLOWING IS AN OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE PRESS RELEASE AND A WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RULE CHANGE NOTICE

ODFW

Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington extended hatchery steelhead retention for recreational anglers on the mainstem Columbia River downstream of The Dalles Dam using joint state action yesterday. Steelhead retention was initially planned to be closed in this area beginning August 1. 

With this extension, effective Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 31, retention of one hatchery steelhead is now allowed in the daily adult salmon/steelhead bag limit for the mainstem Columbia River from the Buoy 10 line upstream to the Highway 395 bridge in Pasco, WA. 

The 2025 preseason forecast for upriver summer steelhead is very low, which originally led fishery managers to enact the suite of restrictive regulations used in the past several years to reduce fishery pressure on both hatchery- and natural-origin summer steelhead.  

Steelhead passing Bonneville Dam from July 1 through October 31 are categorized as A-/B-Index summer steelhead for the purpose of fisheries management. Passage of these fish through July 30 (57,948 fish) has already surpassed the preseason forecasted total A-Index return (55,600 fish). Nearly all passage in July is comprised of A-Index steelhead and passage is typically only 30% complete through this date.  

Due to the strong showing of A-Index steelhead at Bonneville, fishery managers decided there was an opportunity to provide additional steelhead harvest in August with very low risk of exceeding upriver summer steelhead ESA-impact limits. 

All other previously-adopted regulations, including permanent regulations, remain in effect for these fisheries.  

WDFW

Drano Lake opens during August for hatchery steelhead retention

Action: Opens angling for and retention of hatchery steelhead.

Effective date: Aug. 1–31, 2025.

Species affected: Hatchery steelhead.

Location: Drano Lake.

Rule: Salmon and hatchery steelhead daily limit is six, including no more than one adult salmon or one hatchery steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after an adult salmon or hatchery steelhead has been retained.

Reason for action: Summer steelhead counts at Bonneville Dam and historical run timing indicate that the A-Index return is likely to be significantly higher than the pre-season forecast. An increased A-Index return provides sufficient fishery impacts for a limited reopening of hatchery steelhead retention during August. Reopening steelhead fisheries in August will provide anglers with opportunity to harvest hatchery fish while also meeting conservation objectives for ESA-listed steelhead stocks.

Additional information: All other permanent rules remain in effect.