Columbia Zone

News:
Columbia sockeye fishing re-opens below Bonneville Dam

Two Columbia sturgeon fisheries will close early Summer and fall salmon seasons set for Columbia River

Beginning Jan. 1, 2013 the Columbia River, and select tributaries (listed under regulation updates for Northwest Zone and Willamette Zone) will be restricted to barbless hooks when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout.

SALMON, STEELHEAD, and SHAD

SUMMER SEASON (June 16-July 31)
Retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and adipose fin-clipped jack Chinook (12-24") allowed June 16 - July 31, 2013 from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the OR/WA Border. Retention of sockeye allowed July 13-31, 2013 from Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to Bonneville Dam.

Retention of sockeye and adipose fin-clipped adult Chinook (>24") allowed June 16 - July 31, 2013 from Bonneville Dam upstream to the OR/WA border.

Combined daily bag limit is two adults and five jacks. All sockeye count towards the adult daily bag limit regardless of size. FALL SEASON (August 1-December 31)

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 upstream to Tongue Point/ Rocky Point (Buoy 10 line upstream to a line projected from Rocky Point on the WA shore through red buoy #44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point).

Retention of adult adipose fin-clipped coho (>16") and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed August 1-December 31, 2013.

Retention of adult (>24") Chinook allowed August 1-September 1, 2013 (or until guideline) and October 1-December 31, 2013.

The combined daily bag limit is two adults, only one of which may be an adult Chinook. Jacks may not be retained between August 1 and September 30.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Tongue Point/ Rocky Point upstream to Bonneville Dam (a line projected from Rocky Point on the WA shore through red buoy #44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point upstream to Bonneville Dam)

Retention of adipose fin-clipped coho and adipose fin-clipped steelhead allowed August 1-December 31, 2013.

Open to retention of Chinook:
August 1 - September 12, 2013 (or until guideline) and October 1-December 31, 2013 from Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red buoy #4 to a marker on the lower end of Bachelor Island. During September 6-12, only adipose fin-clipped Chinook may be retained.

August 1 - December 31, 2013 (or until guideline) from a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse on the Oregon shore to red buoy #4 to a marker on the lower end of Bachelor Island, upstream to Bonneville Dam. The combined daily bag limit is two adults, only one of which may be a chinook and five jack salmon

STURGEON
The annual bag limit is two legal white sturgeon total for all zones statewide.

The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited at all times.

Anglers are limited to the use of one single-point barbless hook while angling for white sturgeon.

It is unlawful to use lamprey for bait.

In all areas, catch-and-release sturgeon angling is allowed during non-retention periods, unless otherwise indicated.

The lower Willamette River (including Multnomah Channel and the Gilbert River) sturgeon regulation updates can be found under the Willamette Zone.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 upstream to Wauna Powerlines (mainstem Columbia River from the Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) downstream to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay; and all adjacent Washington tributaries)

Retention of white sturgeon is prohibited effective 12:01 AM Friday, June 21, 2013 for the remainder of the year.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Wauna Powerlines (RM 40) upstream to Bonneville Dam (including all adjacent Washington tributaries)

Currently scheduled to re-open to retention of white sturgeon on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from October 19 - December 31, 2013. Daily bag limit is 1 white sturgeon, 38-54 inches FORK LENGTH.

Angling for sturgeon is prohibited from May 1-August 31 from Bonneville Dam downstream nine miles to a line crossing the Columbia River from Navigation Marker 82 on the Oregon shore, westerly to the boundary marker on the Washington Shore upstream to Fir Point. Effective February 1 - April 30 angling is prohibited for all species in the area from a line between the upstream end of Sand Island (near Rooster Rock) and a marker on the Oregon shoreline, downstream to a line between the lower end of Sand Island and a marker on the Oregon shoreline.

The Sandy River is closed to sturgeon retention.
COLUMBIA RIVER RESERVOIRS, between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam
Sturgeon creel sampling summaries and catch estimates from Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day reservoirs can be found on the WDFW's Southwest Washington Fishing Reports web page.

Bonneville Reservoir (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam)
Retention of white sturgeon prohibited effective 12:01 AM Saturday, June 22, 2013 for the remainder of the year.

The Dalles Reservoir (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam)

Effective January 1, 2013, this section of the Columbia River is open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week until the catch guideline of 300 legal white sturgeon has been met. The daily bag limit is one sturgeon between 43 - 54 inches fork length.

John Day Reservoir (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam)
Retention of white sturgeon prohibited effective 12:01 AM Saturday, June 29, 2013 for the remainder of the year.

McNary Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington Border
Effective January 1 - 31, 2013, retention of white sturgeon prohibited in this section of the Columbia River.
Effective February 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013, this section of the Columbia River will be open to retention of white sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit is one sturgeon between 43 - 54 inches fork length.