OLYMPIA – Fisheries managers from Washington and Oregon on Wednesday approved this year’s recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season for the Columbia River.
The 2024 forecast for upiver spring Chinook is 121,000 fish, fewer than the 141,179 that returned to the Columbia River in 2023, and below the 10-year average of 152,289 fish.
“Although this run is smaller than the returns of the past few years, we are still able to provide some quality fishing opportunities,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We have an obligation to ensure that the most limited run, the Snake River natural-origin spring Chinook listed under the Endangered Species Act, has adequate protection so that future opportunities are still possible.”
Salmon fishing is now open daily from the mouth of the Columbia River to the Interstate 5 bridge under permanent regulations, but spring Chinook typically do not arrive in large numbers until late March and April.
The river will open for the following dates and locations in 2024:
- March 1 to April 5: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock (boat and bank), including bank fishing by hand-cast only from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline.
- The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Anglers must release all wild steelhead and all salmon except hatchery Chinook. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep. Retention of shad is also permitted, with no minimum size or daily limit.
- April 1 to May 2: From the power lines on Tower Island (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) to the Washington/Oregon border, including bank fishing by hand-cast only in between Bonneville Dam and the Tower Island power lines.
- The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Anglers must release all wild steelhead and all salmon except hatchery Chinook. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep.
By 2024, recreational anglers are expected to harvest approximately 4,400 adult Chinook below Bonneville Dam, and 500 from Bonneville Dam to the Washington/Oregon state line.
Managers will monitor fisheries, dam counts, and hatchery returns over time and make adjustments as needed. A run-size update usually occurs in mid-May.
Based on preseason forecasts, anglers can also expect to harvest spring Chinook on the Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in 2024. Some locations may have changed season dates and reduced daily ones limit to help meet hatchery broodstock collection goals.
Deep River salmon and steelhead rules and limits will be the same as the main Columbia River when the mainstem is open to spring Chinook retention.
Anglers should check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for the waters they plan to fish, as well as check for emergency rule changes before heading out. Regulations may change during the return period.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to conserve, protect and sustain fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
