Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
May 22, 2025
Current and upcoming fishing opportunities
The States held a hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and set additional dates for the recreational spring Chinook fishery on the Columbia River. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details.
Shad are beginning to make their way into the lower Columbia River.
Announcements
For the latest regulations, including in-season changes
See the fishing regulations update page.
Fish consumption advisories
The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.
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Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Click here to find Columbia River regulation updates for salmon, steelhead, shad and sturgeon.
Salmon, steelhead and shad
On Sunday's (5/18) effort count, there were 371 boats and 241 Oregon bank anglers from Bonneville Dam down to Tongue Point.
Gorge:
Weekly checking showed nine Chinook and three jack Chinook kept, and one Chinook released for eight boats (23 anglers); and 18 Chinook and three jack Chinook kept, and two Chinook released for 168 bank anglers.
For shad, weekly checking showed 137 shad kept for 48 bank anglers.
Troutdale:
Weekly checking showed 27 Chinook, three jack Chinook, and one steelhead kept, and four Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 145 boats (312 anglers).
Portland to Warrior Rock:
Weekly checking showed 16 Chinook and three jack Chinook kept, and two Chinook released for 72 boats (157 anglers); and two Chinook and one jack Chinook kept for 89 bank anglers.
Warrior Rock to Rainier:
Weekly checking showed 15 Chinook, one jack Chinook, and one steelhead kept, and two Chinook released for 68 boats (155 anglers); and four Chinook kept, and one Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 104 bank anglers.
Rainier to Lower Puget Island:
Weekly checking showed 32 Chinook and four jack Chinook kept, and six Chinook, three jack Chinook, and one steelhead released for 96 boats (216 anglers); and four Chinook and one jack Chinook kept for 86 bank anglers.
Lower Puget Island to Tongue Point/Rocky Point
Weekly checking showed 19 Chinook and one steelhead kept and two jack Chinook released for 33 boats (69 anglers); and one steelhead kept for two bank anglers.
Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):
Weekly checking showed 11 Chinook kept for 36 bank anglers.
The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):
Weekly checking showed two Chinook and one jack Chinook kept, and two Chinook and one jack Chinook released for seven boats (19 anglers); and no catch for 31 bank anglers.
John Day Pool (Columbia River above John Day Dam and John Day Arm):
Weekly checking showed eight Chinook and two jack Chinook kept, and three Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 24 boats (70 anglers).
Sturgeon
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):
Closed to retention. Weekly checking showed 20 sub-legal sized, 32 legal sized, and five over-legal sized sturgeon released for two boats (six anglers).
Bonneville Pool:
Closed to retention. No report.
The Dalles Pool:
Closed to retention. No report.
John Day Pool:
Closed for retention. Weekly checking showed one legal sized sturgeon and one over-legal sized sturgeon released for one boat (two anglers).
Walleye
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):
No report.
Bonneville Pool:
Weekly checking showed three walleye kept for two boats (six anglers); and no catch for one bank angler.
The Dalles Pool:
Weekly checking showed 20 walleye kept, and six walleye released for eight boats (22 anglers).
John Day Pool:
Weekly checking showed 87 walleye kept, and 37 walleye released for eight boats (17 anglers); and one walleye kept for eight bank anglers.