COLUMBIA RIVER, Wash. – The 2025 spring Chinook salmon fishing season on the Columbia River has been announced by fishery managers from Washington and Oregon.
This year’s forecast predicts 217,500 spring Chinook returning to the river’s mouth, an increase from 2024, according to a release by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“We’re in a position to provide some quality fishing opportunities,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fisheries manager with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife “At the same time, we must carefully manage these fisheries to protect Endangered Species Act-listed stocks.”
Fishing is open daily through March 31 from the mouth of the Columbia River to the Interstate 5 bridge. Additional fishing opportunities have been approved for specific dates and locations on the mainstem Columbia River.
From March 1 through April 6, fishing is allowed from the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock, with specific bank fishing areas. From April 1–26, fishing is permitted from the Tower Island power lines upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.
The daily limit for salmon and steelhead is six, including no more than two adults, with only one adult Chinook allowed. Anglers must release all wild steelhead and all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.
Lothrop noted the quality fishing opportunity downstream of Bonneville Dam this April. “Upstream of Bonneville Dam, increasing catch rates in recent years have led to early closures,” he added.
Fishery managers will monitor the season and adjust as necessary, with a run size update expected in mid-May. Anglers are advised to check the Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet or Fish Washington® mobile app for updates and regulations.
For more information, anglers can subscribe to WDFW’s mailing lists for regulation updates and fishery notices.
