Recreation Report
Columbia Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Joe Hulsey-
May 29, 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 running through the lower Columbia River and fishing is picking up.
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 Saturday's (5/24) effort count, there were 277 boats and 166 Oregon bank anglers from Bonneville Dam down to Tongue Point.
Gorge:
Weekly checking showed two Chinook kept for six boats (11 anglers); and seven Chinook and one jack Chinook kept, and four Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 105 bank anglers.
For shad, weekly checking showed 195 shad kept for 54 bank anglers.
Troutdale:
Weekly checking showed 20 Chinook and six jack Chinook kept, and nine Chinook and two jack Chinook released for 137 boats (271 anglers).
Portland to Warrior Rock:
Weekly checking showed 13 Chinook and four jack Chinook kept, and five Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 62 boats (131 anglers); and no catch for 36 bank anglers.
Warrior Rock to Rainier:
Weekly checking showed 11 Chinook and one jack Chinook kept for 23 boats (53 anglers); and one Chinook kept for 49 bank anglers.
Rainier to Lower Puget Island:
Weekly checking showed eight Chinook and one steelhead kept, and one jack Chinook released for 27 boats (59 anglers); and no catch for 35 bank anglers.
Lower Puget Island to Tongue Point/Rocky Point
Weekly checking showed four Chinook kept, and one Chinook and one steelhead released for 24 boats (51 anglers).
Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam):
Weekly checking showed no catch for 25 bank anglers.
The Dalles Pool (The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam):
Weekly checking showed 11 Chinook and six jack Chinook kept, and 14 Chinook and one jack Chinook released for 27 boats (60 anglers).
John Day Pool (Columbia River above John Day Dam and John Day Arm):
Weekly checking showed two Chinook kept, and one jack Chinook released for six boats (17 anglers).
Sturgeon
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):
Closed to retention. Weekly checking showed two sub-legal sized and 15 over-legal sized sturgeon released for one boat (three anglers).
Bonneville Pool:
Closed to retention. Weekly checking showed one sub-legal sized and 10 legal sized sturgeon released for one boat (four anglers).
The Dalles Pool:
Closed to retention. No report.
John Day Pool:
Closed for retention. No report.
Walleye
Lower Columbia River (below Bonneville Dam):
No report.
Bonneville Pool:
Weekly checking showed 20 walleye kept and five walleye released for two boats (four anglers); and no catch for two bank anglers.
The Dalles Pool:
Weekly checking showed 49 walleye kept, and nine walleye released for six boats (10 anglers); and no catch for three bank anglers.
John Day Pool:
Weekly checking showed 155 walleye kept, and 103 walleye released for 10 boats (21 anglers); and two walleye kept for five bank anglers.