Columbia River Fishing Regulations
Washington · 2026 size limits, bag limits, and seasons
Columbia River is a river, Washington. It has its own fishing regulations for 17 species, including White Sturgeon, Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout, set separately for 10 sections of the river. These rules replace Washington's statewide limits on this water.
17 species with limits10 sections with their own rules
Map of Columbia River
Fish with special rules on Columbia River
Tap a fish for identification tips, size records, and the best bait.
Columbia River limits by species (2026)
Entire river
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
 White SturgeonOpen year-round during open game fish or salmon seasons unless noted · Max 54" fork length · 2/year statewide (combined WA + OR) · Apr 1 - Mar 31 · Min 43" fork length in tributaries (Snake, Yakima etc. downstream of The Dalles Dam) · Measured by fork length | 38–54" slot | 1 | Year-round |
North Jetty
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesA saltwater or combination license is required to fish the north jetty. · Herring, smelt, and sandlance: No min. size. Daily limit 10 lbs., all species combined. All smelt caught must be kept and count toward the daily limit except CLOSED to eulachon (Columbia River smelt). · Tuna and mackerel: No min. size. No daily limit. Except northern bluefin, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna; daily limit of 2 each. · Anchovy and sardine: No min. size. Daily limit 25 lbs., all species combined. May be taken by a cast net. | – | – | Year-round |
 Atlantic SalmonFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Chinook SalmonFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Coho SalmonFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Green SturgeonClosed at night | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Hatchery SteelheadFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Hatchery fish only · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Other Game Fish | – | – | Year-round |
 Pink SalmonFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
 Sockeye SalmonFishing for salmon and steelhead is open 7 days a week when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon. The daily limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations of either of these areas. · Single Point Hook; Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
 Steelhead | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| White SturgeonClosed at night | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
Tower Island power lines to Port of The Dalles boat ramp
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSalmon, trout, and steelhead handling rules apply when fishing from vessels less than 30’ in length. · Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved. | – | – | Feb 15 – Jun 15, Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Atlantic SalmonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Bank fishing only | – | Catch & release only | Jan 1 – Mar 15, Mar 16 – Mar 31 |
| – | – | Sep 18 – Sep 30, Apr 1 – Jun 15 · Closed | |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | Catch & release only | Jun 16 – Jul 31, Oct 1 – Oct 15, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 16 – Oct 31 |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Chinook SalmonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Bank fishing only | – | Catch & release only | Jan 1 – Mar 15, Mar 16 – Mar 31 |
| – | – | Sep 18 – Sep 30, Apr 1 – Jun 15 · Closed | |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | Catch & release only | Oct 1 – Oct 15, Jun 16 – Jul 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 16 – Oct 31 |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | 1 | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Coho SalmonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Bank fishing only | – | Catch & release only | Jan 1 – Mar 15, Mar 16 – Mar 31 |
| – | – | Apr 1 – Jun 15, Sep 18 – Sep 30 · Closed | |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | Catch & release only | Oct 16 – Oct 31, Jun 16 – Jul 31, Oct 1 – Oct 15, Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | 2 | Oct 16 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Aug 1 – Sep 17, Oct 1 – Oct 15 |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Hatchery Jack Chinook SalmonHatchery fish only | 12" min | 6 | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only · Bank fishing only | – | 2 | Jan 1 – Mar 15, Mar 16 – Mar 31 |
| Hatchery fish only | – | – | Sep 18 – Sep 30, Apr 1 – Jun 15 · Closed |
| Hatchery fish only | 12" min | 1 | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Hatchery fish only | 12" min | 2 | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Pink SalmonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Bank fishing only | – | Catch & release only | Jan 1 – Mar 15, Mar 16 – Mar 31 |
| – | – | Apr 1 – Jun 15, Sep 18 – Sep 30 · Closed | |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | Catch & release only | Oct 16 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 1 – Oct 15, Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Sockeye SalmonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Bank fishing only | – | Catch & release only | Mar 16 – Mar 31, Jan 1 – Mar 15 |
| – | – | Sep 18 – Sep 30, Apr 1 – Jun 15 · Closed | |
| Anti-snagging rule applies | 12" min | Catch & release only | Oct 16 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – Dec 31, Oct 1 – Oct 15, Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| SteelheadAnti-snagging rule applies | – | Catch & release only | Year-round, Aug 1 – Sep 17, Oct 1 – Oct 15, Oct 16 – Oct 31 |
| Closed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| White SturgeonClosed at night · Barbless | – | – | Year-round |
| Measured by fork length | 38–54" slot | 1 | Jan 1 – Apr 30 |
| – | Catch & release only | May 1 – Dec 31 |
The Dalles Dam to 1300' upstream
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish SpeciesSalmon, trout, and steelhead handling rules apply when fishing from vessels less than 30’ in length. | – | – | Feb 15 – Jun 15 |
| Atlantic Salmon | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Brook Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Chinook Salmon | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Coho Salmon | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Cutthroat Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Golden Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Hatchery SteelheadHatchery fish only | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Lake Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Pink Salmon | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Rainbow Trout | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| Sockeye Salmon | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
| Steelhead | – | Catch & release only | Year-round |
| White SturgeonClosed at night · Measured by fork length | 43–54" slot | 1 | Jan 1 – Apr 30 |
| Closed at night | – | Catch & release only | May 1 – Dec 31 |
6 more sections of Columbia River
400' below John Day Dam to Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
Columbia Irrigation District (CID) fish barrier
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
I-197 Bridge to The Dalles Dam (excluding WA shore near lock)
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
McNary Dam boat lock to McNary Dam
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
Old Hanford powerline to Vernita Bridge
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Oct 16 – Jan 31 · Closed |
Ringold Springs Hatchery Creek mouth
| Species | Size limit | Daily bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Fish Species | – | – | Year-round · Closed |
– means no limit is listed for this water. Rules not shown here follow Washington's statewide regulations.
Plan your Columbia River trip
Columbia River fishing: common questions
What fish have special regulations on Columbia River?
17 species have rules specific to Columbia River: White Sturgeon, Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, and Golden Trout, and 9 more.
What is the white sturgeon limit on Columbia River?
White Sturgeon have a 38–54" slot limit on Columbia River (entire river), and the daily bag limit is 1. Rules differ across 4 sections of the river.
What is the atlantic salmon limit on Columbia River?
No size limit is listed for Atlantic Salmon on Columbia River (north Jetty). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
What is the brook trout limit on Columbia River?
Brook Trout are catch and release only on Columbia River (north Jetty). Rules differ across 3 sections of the river.
Is Columbia River catch and release?
Some rules on Columbia River are catch and release only, covering Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, and Green Sturgeon and others. Check the table for the section and dates that apply.
Do Washington statewide fishing rules apply on Columbia River?
Where Columbia River has its own rule for a species, that rule replaces the statewide limit. For species not listed on this page, Washington's statewide regulations apply. Regulations are set by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; confirm with the official 2026 regulations before keeping a fish.
Other Washington waters with special regulations
- Yakima River · Benton
- Wind River · Skamania
- Drano Lake · Skamania
- Naselle River · Pacific
- Roosevelt Lake · Ferry/Grant/Lincoln/Okanogan/Stevens
- Cowlitz River · Cowlitz/Lewis
- Green River · Duwamish
- Grays River · Wahkiakum
- Nisqually River · Pierce/Thurston
- Nooksack River · Whatcom
- Humptulips River · Grays Harbor
- Abernathy Creek · Cowlitz
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