WDFW sets summer salmon and steelhead season rules
Chinook salmon from the Lower Columbia River ESU. Chinook are considered a Federally threatened species.
COURTESY PHOTO/NOAA FISHERIES/WDFW WEBSITE
MOSES LAKE — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced updates on rules for summer salmon and steelhead season fishing downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. The action applies to summer fishery rules developed through the 2026 North of Falcon season setting process and is consistent with co-manager agreements.
This action affects all species of salmon and below the Columbia River locations, dates and rules for the season.
From the Megler-Astoria Bridge to Bonneville Dam; except the mainstem area adjacent to Tanner Creek on the Oregon shore:
June 16-22:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
June 23-July 5:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
July 6-31:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
From a line between markers located on the Oregon shore, 450 feet downstream and 150 feet upstream of the Tanner Creek mouth, out to the center of the Columbia River:
June 16-July 15:
All species: Closed waters.
Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam:
June 16-22:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
June 23-July 5:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
July 6-31:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
From The Dalles Dam, upstream to a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore, located approximately 1300 feet upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp, projected easterly across the Columbia River, to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore, located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit: June 16-July 31:
Closed to fishing for retention of salmon and steelhead.
From a line starting at a fishing boundary sign on the Washington north shore, located approximately 1300 feet upstream of The Dalles Dam and Lock boat ramp, projected easterly across the Columbia River, to a boundary sign on the Washington south shore, located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit, upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
June 16-22:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
June 23- July 5:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to two adults, including no more than one steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon other than sockeye and hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the adult portion of the daily limit has been retained.
July 6-31:
Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six. Up to one steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum sixe is 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
The release states the closure area at the mouth of Tanner Creek concurs with rules placed by Oregon for protection of sockeye returning to Bonneville Hatchery. The Bonneville Hatchery is facilitating a reintroduction program for Wallowa Lake.
According to data from the Oregon Department of fish and wildlife, the total sockeye count projected for 2026 is 274,900. This is a decrease from the forecast for 2025, which was at 350,200.
Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco. Fishing for jack salmon is prohibited once the daily adult salmon and/or steelhead limit has been retained.
All year-round closure areas can be found at eregulations.com.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for fishing rule changes, email notifications, and check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing.