Fishing enthusiasts, get ready to cast your lines for a few more prized catches on the Columbia River. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has officially extended the spring Chinook season beneath the Bonneville Dam. Anglers can now look forward to targeting spring Chinook, hatchery steelhead, and shad for additional days, as per the recent emergency regulation update released by the department.
The extended zones and their respective rules stand as a testament to the nuances of fishing regulations aimed at balancing sport with conservation efforts. Immediately and running through April 11, the waters from the Buoy 10 line up to Beacon Rock—including Deep River—will permit the retaining of 6 salmon and steelhead, of which up to 2 may be adults with a cap of 1 adult Chinook. With no minimum size or daily limit on shad, these fish can be freely retained. Contrary while between Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam, fishing from a vessel is a no-go, and only bank angling is allowed.
Attuned to the currents of the fish population and sports demand, the WDFW has dictated that from the Tower Island power lines up to The Dalles Dam, the season persists until May 2. Here, among the rippling currents, the same daily limits for salmon and steelhead apply, with a minimum size of 12 inches for salmon set in place, affirming the agency's commitment to sustainability alongside recreational fishing.
Going further upstream, from the line projecting from the fishing boundary sign near The Dalles Dam up to the Oregon-Washington border, fishermen are allowed the same daily limit which rounds out the extensive swath of Columbia River now available for sport. According to the announcement by the WDFW, this extension through May 2, is aimed at leveraging the lower than expected catch rates earlier in the season and to ensure the fisheries stay within acceptable catch levels for these coveted upriver spring Chinook.
But remember, it's not a free-for-all out there—other permanent regulations stand as firm as ever, as outlined in the sport fishing rules pamphlet. Staff from the agency will be keeping an eagle eye on the fishery throughout the season, with a fleet readiness to review and reassess post-closing, to see if the fishing gods smile upon us with more opportunities. Ready your gear, respect the rules, and enjoy the extra days out on the water, courtesy of the ever-watchful WDFW.
