WDFW Tweaks Upper Columbia, Reach Sockeye Limits, Open Days After Runsize Downgrade

THE FOLLOWING IS A FISHING RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM WDFW

Hanford Reach and Upper Columbia River salmon fishery update

Action: Reduces the sockeye daily limit and the number of days open to fishing.     

Species affected: Sockeye salmon.  

Effective date: July 7 through Aug. 31, 2025.

Specific Locations, dates, and daily limits: 

The Interstate-182 Bridge at Richland to the boundary markers 650 feet below the fish ladder at Priest Rapids Dam: 

• July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.
• July 9 through 31:
  • Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.
  • Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.

Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam: 

• July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.
• July 9 through Aug. 31:
  • Open Wednesdays-Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.
  • Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.

Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster: 

• July 7 through 15: Closed to salmon fishing.
• July 16 through Aug. 31:
  • Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays. 
  • Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.

Highway 173 Bridge to the Army Corps of Engineers safety marker on the Douglas County shore to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek: 

• July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.
• July 9 through Aug. 31:
  • Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.
  • Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.

Reason for action: On June 30, 2025, the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) downgraded the Columbia River sockeye run size from 350,200 to 183,200.  At this reduced run size, the total number of sockeye available for harvest  is approximately 12,800 fish (minus harvest through July 6). The number of sockeye available for harvest is subject to change based off future upgrades or downgrades to the run size made by TAC.        

Additional information: This fishery will be monitored closely and could potentially close at any time if harvest targets are achieved. Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional fishing rules. Download the Fish Washington mobile app to stay up to date on the go.

The Lower Columbia River from the mouth to the Highway 395 Bridge closes sockeye retention as scheduled on July 7, 2025.  This fishery remains open for hatchery steelhead as described in the current Fishing Rule Change. 

For more information on sockeye fishery management refer to WDFW’s blog. 

Information contact:  Region 2 (Upper Columbia River), 509-754-4624 or email TeamEphrata@dfw.wa.gov.  Region 3 (Hanford Reach), 509-575-2740 or TeamYaklima@ddfw.wa.gov.