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Columbia River Zone
Description
The Columbia River Zone is all waters of the Columbia River upstream from a north-south line through Buoy 10 at the river mouth and includes those portions of tributaries (including lakes) downstream from the mainline railroad bridges near the tributaries’ mouths except for the Willamette (including Multnomah Channel), Sandy, Hood, Deschutes and Umatilla river systems, Skipanon River, and Youngs Bay. The Columbia River Zone includes, Camas Slough downstream of the HWY 14 Bridge at the eastern tip of Lady Island, downstream from Hwy 730 on the Umatilla River and from Interstate 84 on the Deschutes River, and the lower Skipanon River downstream of the Harbor Street Bridge. The boundary is a straight line across the mouths of the Willamette (including Multnomah Channel), Sandy and Hood rivers and the Hwy 101 Bridge on Youngs Bay.
Oregon and Washington state waters are defined by the state line which lies within the waters of the Columbia River. In the area from the mouth upstream to Altoona, WA (Rivermile 24), the state line is near the Washington shore. In the area from Altoona, WA upstream to above McNary Dam (except near mainstem dams) the state line is in the middle of the ship channel.
Columbia River Zone Regulations
- In the Columbia River where it forms the state boundary line, not including tributaries, sloughs and lands, the following rules apply:
- Both Washington and Oregon resident or non-resident fishing licenses are valid except when the other state’s season is closed. Any anglers other than Washington residents must have a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when landing fish or taking shellfish by boat in Oregon;
- Anglers must follow the rules of the state in which they are fishing;
- Anglers are restricted to one daily catch limit for all fish species from the Columbia River, even if licensed in Oregon and Washington;
- Anglers are restricted to one annual catch limit of white sturgeon in the Columbia River even if licensed in Oregon and Washington.
- A valid Columbia River Basin Endorsement must be in possession when fishing for salmon, steelhead, or sturgeon in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream and in all the rivers and their tributaries that flow into the Columbia River.
- When fishing on tributaries, sloughs or from the land of a state, the angler must be licensed by that state and obey all angling regulations of that state.
- For the mainstem Columbia River salmon and steelhead fishery upstream of the Rocky Point-Tongue Point line to McNary Dam from February 15 through June 15, it is unlawful when fishing from vessels which are less than 30 feet in length, substantiated by U.S. Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration, to totally remove from the water any salmon or steelhead required to be released.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to angle from a vessel while fish are onboard that are not allowed to be taken in the area being fished. This regulation does not apply to vessels in transit.
- Use of barbless hooks is required when angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or trout in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon-Washington border located upstream of McNary Dam (RM 309.5).
- See Health Advisory in Advisories & Consumption Guidelines.
- Areas of the mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouths of Eagle Creek, Herman Creek and the Deschutes River have been designated as thermal angling sanctuaries and may have additional regulations in place during Jul 15 - Sept 15. Check myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone for the most current information.
Exceptions to Columbia River Zone Regulations
Columbia River
Buoy 10 line up to a line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Mar 31 and Aug 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 - Mar 31.
- Open for adult Chinook salmon Aug 1 - Aug 31.
- Open for adult hatchery coho salmon Aug 1 - Dec 31. Minimum length for adult coho is 16 inches.
- Retention of jack salmon allowed Oct 1 - Dec 31.
- The Columbia River South Jetty is open to salmon angling seven days a week when the fall Buoy 10 or adjacent ocean salmon fishery is open.
- Closed to angling within the Youngs Bay Control Zone Aug 1 - Sep 15. See Columbia River Zone Map.
- In the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River up to a line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank, each angler aboard a vessel may continue to use angling gear until the daily limit of fish for all legally licensed and juvenile anglers aboard has been achieved. However, no individual angler may exceed any personal daily bag limit.
A line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the navigation light at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank up to I-5 bridge
- Open for hatchery cutthroat trout Jan 1 - Mar 31 and May 22 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery Chinook salmon and hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Mar 31.
- Open for hatchery jack Chinook and hatchery steelhead May 16 - Jul 31.
- Open for hatchery adult Chinook Jun 16-30.
- Open for hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead Aug 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for Chinook Aug 1-31.
- Angling from the Big Creek RR trestle is prohibited Aug. 16 - Oct. 15.
I-5 bridge to Bonneville Dam
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Mar 31 and Jun 16 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery jack Chinook Jun 16 - Jul 31.
- Open for adult hatchery Chinook Jun 16 - Jun 30.
- Open for hatchery coho Aug 1 - Dec. 31.
- Open for Chinook Aug 1 - Aug 31.
- Closed:
- Between markers 150 ft above and 450 ft below the mouth of Tanner Cr out to center of the Columbia River Aug 16 - Oct 15;
- Inside the south navigation lock at Bonneville Dam from a marker on the western-most point of Robins Island to a marker on the Oregon mainland shore;
- Angling is prohibited for all species during Jan 1 - Apr 30 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.
- Bank angling prohibited:
- From Bradford Island below Bonneville Dam from south shore between the dam and a line perpendicular to the shoreline marker at west end of riprap and from north shore between fishway entrance and a line perpendicular to the shoreline marker 850 ft downstream;
- From Robins Island below Bonneville Dam downstream to a line perpendicular to the shoreline marker on mooring cell.
- Angling from a floating device or using a floating device to set lines is prohibited in the area between Bonneville Dam and a line crossing the river below the dam marked by the boat-restricted zone sign on the Oregon shore at the westernmost tip of Robins Island to the boat-restricted zone sign approx. 50 ft above the Hamilton Island boat ramp on the Washington shore (USACE Boat Restricted Zone).
- Sturgeon angling is prohibited May 1 - Aug 31 from Bonneville Dam downstream approx. 9 mi to a line crossing the Columbia River from Navigation Marker 82 on the Oregon shore westerly to a boundary marker on the Washington shore above Fir Point.
- Salmon angling from a floating device is prohibited from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam Nov 1 - Dec 31.
Bonneville Dam to Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Mar 31 and Jun 16 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jun 16 - Jul 31.
- Open for Chinook and coho salmon Aug 1 - Dec 31. Only hatchery coho salmon may be retained between Bonneville Dam and the Hood River Bridge at RM 169.
- When angling for salmon and steelhead, a single-point hook with a gap size no larger than 3/4-inch is required for all non-buoyant lures Aug 1 - Dec 31 except when trolling from a vessel or floating device.
- Only single-point hooks allowed when angling at Cascade Locks in the area between the boat ramp at the lower end of the locks upstream to the east (upstream) end of the lock wall.
- Sturgeon Regulations
- Open for white sturgeon from Jan 1 - until quota is reached.
- Bag limit is 1 per day, 2 per year.
- Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam sturgeon must be between 38 inch minimum and 54 inch maximum fork length.
- The Dalles Dam to McNary Dam sturgeon must be between 43 inch minimum, 54 inch maximum fork length.
- Only catch-and-release allowed for sturgeon from McNary Dam to the Oregon/Washington border.
- Catch-and-release for sturgeon is allowed after taking the daily or annual limit or the after quota is reached. Check myodfw.com for regulation updates.
- Angling for sturgeon is prohibited from May 1 through August 31 in the following areas:
- A line projected from the east (upstream) dock at the Port of The Dalles boat ramp straight across to a marker on the Washington bank upstream to The Dalles Dam.
- A line projected from the west end of the grain silo at Rufus straight across to a marker on the Washington bank upstream to John Day Dam.
- A line projected from the east end grain elevators at Patterson Ferry Road straight across to a marker on the Washington bank upstream to McNary Dam.
- Closed:
- Bonneville Dam upstream to a line across the river 1,000 ft from the dam as indicated by USACE signs;
- Interstate Hwy 197 bridge at The Dalles upstream to the upper line of The Dalles Dam, except bank angling is permitted above the Hwy bridge for 1,100 ft to the cyclone fence;
- John Day Dam downstream approx. 3,000 ft except that bank angling is permitted up to 600 ft below the fishway entrance;
- From a floating device in USACE designated hazard zones above and below McNary Dam.
Benson Lake (Multnomah Co.)
- Open all year.
- 5 hatchery trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
Blind Slough/Knappa Slough Select Area
Including Gnat Cr from RR bridge up to Aldrich Pt Rd Bridge (Clatsop Co.) (see Columbia River Zone Map)
- Open all year for hatchery Chinook, hatchery coho and hatchery steelhead.
- Use of barbed hooks allowed.
Eagle Creek
Mouth to mainline railroad bridge
- Open for Chinook, hatchery coho salmon, and hatchery steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Oregon/Washington border.
- See Central Zone for area above mainline RR bridge.
Hartman Pond
- Open all year.
- 5 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- 1 bass per day.
- 10 crappie per day.
- 2 channel catfish per day.
- No minimum length on warmwater fish.
Herman Creek
East of peninsula from the markers at the mouth to the mainline railroad bridge (see Columbia River Zone Map).
- Open for salmon and steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the OR/ WA border, except closed Aug 16 - Nov 30.
- See Central Zone for area above the mainline RR bridge.
Herman Cr Youth and Disabled Angler Angling Area - West of peninsula from the markers at the mouth to lower Herman Cr Pond structure (see Columbia River Zone Map).
- Open for salmon and steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the OR/WA border. Open to youth angling (ages 17 and under) and Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit holders only.
Herman Cr Lagoon- East of the line from Northwest tip of the jetty, south to marker on shore (See Columbia River Zone Map).
- Open for salmon and steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the OR/ WA border. An Oregon angling license and combined angling tag are required.
Multnomah Creek
Mouth to the mainline railroad bridge
- Open for Chinook salmon, hatchery coho salmon, and hatchery steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from I-5 bridge up to Bonneville Dam except closed Aug 16 - Nov 30.
- Open all year for trout from Benson Lake downstream to the culvert under Hwy 84.
- 5 hatchery trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- See Willamette Zone for areas above mainline RR bridge.
Plympton Creek
Mouth to mainline railroad bridge
- Open for Chinook salmon, hatchery coho salmon and hatchery steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from the Rocky Point-Tongue Point line up to I-5 bridge.
- See Northwest Zone for area above mainline RR bridge.
Tanner, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena, Horsetail and Oneonta Creeks
Mouth to the mainline railroad bridge
- Open for Chinook salmon, hatchery coho salmon, and hatchery steelhead consistent with regulations for the Columbia River from I-5 bridge up to Bonneville Dam except closed Aug 16 - Nov 30.
- See Willamette Zone for areas above mainline RR bridge.
Wahkeena Pond
- See Hartman Pond above.
Youngs Bay Select Area (Clatsop Co.)
Hwy 101 bridge to marker at confluence of Youngs Bay and Klaskanine R., including Walluski R. tidewater (see Columbia River Zone Map)
- Open all year for hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery coho salmon and hatchery steelhead.
- Use of barbed hooks allowed.
Columbia River Management
Mainstem Columbia River fisheries for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon are co-managed by the Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife and the four Treaty Tribes, represented by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Based on discussions among the co-management agencies, Oregon may adopt in-season changes to sport fishery regulations in the Columbia River. Regulation changes can occur on short notice and will be made available to ODFW field offices, the news media and license agents. Anglers can check the status of regulations prior to fishing the Columbia River by checking the ODFW website: myodfw.com for these rules, or calling 503-947-6000 during normal business hours.
Sturgeon Best Handling Practices
While sturgeon are very hardy, anglers should still treat them with care. ODFW encourages responsible catch-and-release fishing for sturgeon to ensure that these incredible fish are available for future generations to enjoy.
Required:
- Sturgeon greater than 54-inches in fork length must remain in the water at all times.
- When catch-and-release fishing, fish must be returned to the water immediately unharmed.
- Only single point, barbless hooks are allowed.
Recommended:
- Keep sturgeon in the water, regardless of size.
- Never lift or hold the fish by the gill plates.
- Non-offset circle hooks and short leaders can prevent deep-hooking.
- Attach your weight using a slider and line that is lighter than the main line, to ensure less gear will stay with the fish if you break off.
- Limit your fishing to times when the water temperature is less than 70⁰F.
- Limit your targeting of large, mature fish (over 6-feet). It takes 25 years for a sturgeon to reach this size and they are the future of the population.
- Take actions to release fish quickly. When fighting a large sturgeon from a boat, release from the anchor and follow the fish.
When taking photos:
- Take photos as quickly as possible. Don’t try to photograph every fish — just take a few pictures to remember the trip.
Columbia River Zone Regulations |
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Species |
Bag Limit |
Size Limit and Other Specifications |
Season |
Trout |
2 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. |
|
Closed in all waters unless noted by species under Exceptions. |
Salmon and Steelhead |
In the aggregate: 2 adult salmon or steelhead per day, 20 per year. 5 jack salmon per day, 2 daily jack limits in possession. |
|
|
Sturgeon |
Catch-and-release only, except as noted under Exceptions. (See Bonneville Dam upstream to Oregon/Washington border.) |
|
Catch-and-release: Open all year, except as noted under Exceptions. Note: Sturgeon fisheries are managed on a quota basis. Check the status of regulations prior to fishing. |
Bass, Striped Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pikeminnow, Carp, Sucker, Chub, Sculpin, Whitefish and other Nongame Fish. |
No limit. |
None. |
Open all year. |
Shad |
No limit. |
None. |
Open all year, except closed from Buoy 10 line upstream to Bonneville Dam Apr 1 - May 15. |
Smelt |
|
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Marine Fish and Marine Shellfish (other than Eulachon Smelt) |
See Marine Zone. (Marine Zone regulations for marine fish and marine shellfish only apply to Columbia River downstream of Tongue Point/Rocky Point line at the mouth of the Columbia River.) |