Lower Columbia spring Chinook fishing reopens Friday, May 9

Friday marks the reopening of the spring Chinook salmon fishing season on the lower Columbia River.

Washington and Oregon announced the reopening for the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to the Washington/Oregon border through May 22.

There is a daily limit of six fish with a minimum size of 12 inches, and up to two adults may be retained of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook.

Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook, and also release wild steelhead.

From Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam, fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only. Fishing from a vessel for shad upstream of Beacon Rock is allowed beginning May 16.

All other permanent rules apply, including year-round closure areas as listed in the 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will monitor the fishery in-season. After the closure of the fishery, staff will review catches and determine if additional fishing opportunity is warranted.