CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington added more recreational salmon fishing days in the mainstem Columbia River during a joint-state hearing on Wednesday September 17, 2025.
The decision came after fishery managers assessed Chinook harvest in the fall season fisheries and considered the current in-season abundance expectations for upriver salmon stocks.
With today‘s changes, the following regulations are in effect:
Buoy 10 line to the west Puget Island line: Per the preseason fishing plan, Chinook retention had closed Sept. 7, but will now be allowed from Sept. 18 – 21 in the on-going fishery. The daily bag limit from Sept. 18 – 21 is two adult salmon (Chinook or hatchery coho, but only one may be a Chinook). From Sept. 22 through the end of the year, hatchery coho retention will remain open.
West Puget Island line to Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line: This area had closed to all salmon angling on Sept. 7 consistent with the preseason fishing plan, but will reopen Sept. 18 – 21 with a daily adult bag limit of two salmon (Chinook or hatchery coho, but only one may be a Chinook).
Warrior Rock to the Hwy 395 Bridge at Pasco, WA: Chinook and coho retention will remain open through Sept. 21 with a daily adult bag limit of two salmon (Chinook or coho, but only one may be a Chinook). Wild coho caught downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be released.
Anglers should note that for all of the areas upstream of the west Puget Island line listed above, retention of coho (hatchery only downstream of the Hood River Bridge) is expected to reopen on Oct. 1 and remain open through the end of the year, as planned pre-season. Hatchery steelhead fishing will also be open on the mainstem Columbia downstream of The Dalles Dam from Nov. 1 – Dec. 31.
All other previously adopted and permanent regulations are in effect.
Visit the Columbia River zone regulations updates page for more details.