The Columbia River will be open for additional spring Chinook retention days. This action extends spring Chinook seasons in the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to Bonneville Dam (one retention day) and from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington-Oregon border (two retention days).

Species affected: Spring Chinook and hatchery steelhead.

Columbia River and Deep River locations, dates, and rules:

From Rocky Point/Tongue Point (a projected line from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to the red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank) upstream to the Interstate 5 Bridge; including Deep River (Wahkiakum County):

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, including no more than two steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.

From the Interstate 5 Bridge upstream to Beacon Rock (a deadline marker on the Oregon bank approximately four miles downstream of Bonneville Dam’s Powerhouse One, in a straight line through the western tip of Pierce Island, to a deadline marker on the Washington bank at Beacon Rock):

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: closed.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.

From Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam:

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: closed.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
• Salmon and steelhead: Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.

From Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam):

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: closed.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.
• Salmon and steelhead: Fishing from a vessel is prohibited. Bank angling with hand-cast lines only.

From the Tower Island power lines upstream to The Dalles Dam:

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: closed.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.

From a line starting from a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore located approximately 1,300 feet upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp, projected easterly across the Columbia River to a boundary sign on the Washington southern shore located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit upstream, to Highway 730 at the Washington-Oregon border:

• Immediately – May 21:
• Salmon and steelhead: closed.
• May 22 – 25:
• Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, 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. Release wild steelhead. Salmon minimum size 12 inches.

Reason for action: This rule change provides additional days of spring Chinook retention in the mainstem Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point upstream to the Washington-Oregon border consistent with joint state action taken on May 19, 2026.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) updated the Columbia River Mouth upriver spring Chinook return to 111,900 compared to the preseason forecast of 147,300. However, current catch estimates indicate enough room remains within the recreational harvest allocation to support additional retention opportunities.

Fisheries are set within allowable catch levels for upriver spring Chinook and to account for impacts to other stocks of concern.

Additional information: All other permanent rules apply, including year-round closure areas as listed in the 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet.

Fishing from a vessel for shad upstream of Beacon Rock is allowed.

Anglers can receive regulation updates and fishery notices via email by subscribing to WDFW’s Columbia River Compact mailing list.

Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website prior to fishing. Refer to the 2025-26 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for fishing rules.

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.