Action: Opens summer Chinook and provides additional sockeye retention opportunities.Species affected: Salmon and steelhead.
Effective dates: July 9–31, 2025
Locations, dates, and rules:
From the Megler-Astoria Bridge to The Dalles Dam:
- July 9–11:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, including no more than one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- July 12–19:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, including no more than two adult salmon or one adult salmon and one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.
- July 20–31:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six, including no more than two adult salmon or one adult salmon and one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.
From The Dalles Dam upstream to a line starting at 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 south shore located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit:
- July 9, until further notice:
- Closed to fishing for and retention of salmon and steelhead.
From a line starting at 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 south shore located approximately 200 feet above the fish ladder exit upstream to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
- July 9–11:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six including no more than one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon after the steelhead portion of the daily limit has been retained.
- July 12–19:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six including no more than two adult salmon or one adult salmon and one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.
- July 20–31:
- Salmon and steelhead: Daily limit six including no more than two adult salmon or one adult salmon and one hatchery steelhead. Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook and sockeye. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Release wild steelhead.
Reason for action: The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) recently updated the summer Chinook and sockeye returns to the Columbia River mouth. Given recent fishery performance, current harvest, and abundance expectations, additional mainstem adult Chinook and sockeye retention opportunity is available downstream of the Highway 395 Bridge.
Additional information:
- Anglers are reminded that barbless hooks are required for salmon and steelhead downstream of Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
- Sockeye are included in the adult portion of the daily limit.
- Continuing to fish for jack salmon is prohibited once the daily adult salmon and steelhead limit has been retained.
- All year-round closure areas listed in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and other permanent regulations apply.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025-2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.