The following exceptions to statewide rules apply to the Columbia River, including impoundments and all connecting sloughs, except Wells Ponds:

(1) General Columbia River rules:

(a) In the concurrent waters of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, the license of either state is valid when fishing from a vessel.

(i) Anglers must comply with the fishing regulations of the state in which they are fishing.

(ii) This subsection does not allow an angler licensed in Oregon to fish on the Washington shore, or in the sloughs or tributaries in Washington except as otherwise provided by department rule.

(iii) Anglers fishing the Columbia River are restricted to one limit, as defined by the laws of the state in which they are fishing, even if they are licensed by both states.

(b) It is unlawful to possess in the field salmon or steelhead mutilated so that size, species, or fin clip cannot be determined until the angler has reached their automobile or principal means of land transportation and completed his or her daily angling.

(c) Salmon and trout handling rules provided in WAC 220-56-118 apply to the Columbia River, except from February 15 through June 15 in the mainstem Columbia from the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to the Washington-Oregon border where WAC 220-56-118 applies only to anglers fishing from vessels less than 30 feet in length (as substantiated by Coast Guard documentation or Marine Board registration).

(d) From Buoy 10 to the Washington/Oregon border:

(i) From March 1 through May 15, the mainstem Columbia River is open for retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad only during days and in areas that are open for the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook salmon.

(ii) From August 1 through December 31, each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.

(e) Open year-round unless otherwise provided.

(f) Year-round night closure for salmon and steelhead fishing from Buoy 10 to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.

(2) Rules by river section:

(a) From a true north-south line through Buoy 10, upstream to a line projected from Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank:

(i) Fishing from the north jetty is permissible when Marine Area 1 or Buoy 10 areas are open for salmon, and the limit and minimum size restrictions follow the most liberal regulations if both areas are open. Only single point barbless hooks may be used for salmon and steelhead.

(ii) Release all trout.

(iii) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) June 16 through July 31: Closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead from Buoy 10 to the Megler-Astoria Bridge.

(B) Open from June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(D) Open August 1 through August 20:

(I) Daily limit 2; no more than 1 Chinook may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(III) Chinook minimum length 24 inches.

(IV) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(E) Open August 21 through August 31:

(I) Daily limit 2.

(II) Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

(III) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(F) Open September 1 through September 30:

(I) Daily limit 2; no more than 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(III) Coho minimum length 16 inches.

(G) Open October 1 through December 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon, or 1 adult hatchery salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead, may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(H) Open January 1 through March 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery Chinook, or 2 hatchery steelhead, or one of each, may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon except hatchery Chinook.

(iv) Shad open May 16 through March 31.

(v) Forage fish and bottomfish: Marine Area 1 general rules apply; eulachon closed.

(b) From a line at Rocky Point on the Washington bank through Red Buoy 44 to red navigation marker 2 at Tongue Point on the Oregon bank upstream to a line at the west end of Puget Island projected from green navigation marker 39 on the Washington bank to green navigation marker 41, then to red navigation marker 42, and terminating at red navigation marker 44A on the Oregon bank:

(i)(A) Trout:

(B) Open May 16 through March 31:

(I) Release all trout except hatchery cutthroat.

(II) Daily limit 2 hatchery cutthroat; minimum length 12 inches.

(III) Barbless hooks required for cutthroat trout.

(ii) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open June 16 through June 30:

(I) Daily limit 2.

(II) Release all salmon.

(B) Open July 1 through July 31:

(I) Daily limit 1.

(II) Release all salmon.

(I) Daily limit 1.

(II) Release all salmon and steelhead other than Chinook and hatchery coho.

(D) Open August 21 through August 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon.

(II) Release all salmon and steelhead other than hatchery coho.

(E) Open September 1 through December 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon, or 1 adult hatchery salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(F) Open January 1 through March 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult salmon, or 2 hatchery steelhead, or 1 of each may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook.

(G) Open May 16 through June 15:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 2 may be hatchery steelhead.

(II) Release all salmon other than hatchery jack Chinook.

(iii) Shad: Open May 16 through March 31.

(c) From a line at the west end of Puget Island projected from green navigation marker 39 on the Washington bank to green navigation marker 41, then to red navigation marker 42, and terminating at red navigation marker 44A on the Oregon bank, upstream to the I-5 Bridge:

(i) Trout:

(A) Open May 16 through March 31.

(B) Release all trout except hatchery cutthroat.

(D) Barbless hooks are required for cutthroat trout.

(ii) Shad open May 16 through March 31.

(iii) For the purpose of this subsection, "Warrior Rock line" is defined as a line projected from the Warrior Rock Lighthouse, through Red Buoy 4, to the marker atop the piling dolphin located at the downstream end of Bachelor Island on the Washington shore.

(iv) Downstream of Warrior Rock line: Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open May 16 through June 15: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery jack Chinook.

(B) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(D) Open August 1 through August 27: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(E) Open August 28 through August 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except hatchery coho.

(F) Open September 1 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon, or 1 adult hatchery salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(G) Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 hatchery adult salmon, or 2 hatchery steelhead or one of each may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery Chinook.

(v) Upstream of Warrior Rock line: Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open May 16 through June 15: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery jack Chinook.

(B) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(D) Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 hatchery adult salmon, or 2 hatchery steelhead or one of each may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery Chinook.

(E) Open August 1 through August 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(F) Open September 1 through September 8: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(G) Open September 9 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult hatchery salmon, or 1 adult hatchery salmon, and 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(d) From the I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam:

(i) The following waters are closed:

(A) From the upstream line of Bonneville Dam to boundary markers 600 feet below the fish ladder at the powerhouse.

(B) January 1 through April 30 from a line between the upstream end of Sand Island (near Rooster Rock) on the Columbia River, to the boundary marker on the Oregon shore, downstream to a line between the lower end of Sand Island and the boundary marker on the Oregon shore.

(C) Closed to angling from a floating device or by any method except hand-casted gear from shore from Bonneville Dam downstream to a line from the Hamilton Island boat ramp to an Oregon boundary marker on the westernmost tip of Robins Island.

(ii) Camas Slough:

(A) It is permissible for an angler licensed in Oregon or Washington to fish from a floating device.

(B) In the waters of the Columbia River downstream from the mouth of the Washougal River, north of Lady Island, and downstream of the Highway 14 Bridge at the upstream end of Lady Island:

(I) From August 1 through December 31: It is permissible to fish with two poles so long as the angler possesses a valid two-pole endorsement.

(II) From August 1 through December 31: Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.

(III) Open for salmon when the adjacent mainstem Columbia or Washougal rivers are open for salmon.

(IV) The limit for salmon is the same as the most liberal regulation of either area, except anglers may only retain hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho; release all other salmon.

(iii) Release all trout.

(iv) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(B) Open July 1 through July 31: Daily limit 1. Release all salmon.

(C) Open August 1 through August 31: Limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(D) Open September 1 through September 8: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and hatchery coho.

(E) Open September 9 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 hatchery adult salmon, or 1 hatchery adult salmon and 1 hatchery steelhead, may be retained. Release all salmon except hatchery coho.

(F) Closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead November 1 through December 31 from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam.

(v) Steelhead: Open January 1 through March 31. Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(vi) Shad: Open May 16 through March 31.

(e) From Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) Within one quarter mile of the USFWS Spring Creek Hatchery Grounds, between posted markers located one quarter mile on either side of the fish ladder entrance.

(B) At The Dalles between the upstream line of The Dalles Dam to the upstream side of the Interstate 197 Bridge, except that bank fishing is permitted up to the downstream navigation lock wall on the Washington shore.

(ii) Release all trout.

(iii) Steelhead: Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(iv) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) When open from March 16 through June 15: Bank fishing only from Bonneville Dam to Tower Island powerlines (approximately 6 miles below The Dalles Dam). Only hand-cast lines may be used. It is unlawful to use a floating device to set lines for salmon and steelhead.

(B) When open from August 1 through October 15: Anti-snagging rule applies. When the anti-snagging rule is in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

(I) Daily limit 2.

(II) Release all salmon.

(D) Open July 1 through July 31: Daily limit 1. Release all salmon.

(E) Open August 1 through August 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and coho.

(F) Open September 1 through December 31:

(I) Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained.

(II) Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(III) Release wild coho from Bonneville Dam to Hood River Bridge.

(f) From The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam:

(i) At John Day Dam between the upstream line of John Day Dam to markers approximately 3,000 feet downstream, except that bank fishing is permitted up to 400 feet below the fishway entrance on the Washington shore.

(ii) Release all trout.

(iii) Steelhead: Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(iv) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(B) Open July 1 through July 31: Daily limit 1. Release all salmon.

(C) When open August 1 through October 15: Anti-snagging rule applies. When the anti-snagging rule is in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

(D) Open August 1 through September 30: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and coho.

(E) Open October 1 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except for Chinook and coho.

(g) From John Day Dam to McNary Dam:

(i) At McNary Dam between the upstream line of McNary Dam downstream to a line across the river from the red and white marker on the Oregon shore on a line that intersects the downstream end of the wing-wall of the boat lock near the Washington shore: Closed waters.

(ii) Game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit; except release all trout.

(iii) Steelhead: Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(iv) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(B) Open July 1 through July 31: Daily limit 1. Release all salmon.

(C) When open August 1 through October 15: Anti-snagging rule applies. When the anti-snagging rule is in effect, only fish hooked inside the mouth may be retained.

(D) Open August 1 through August 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult, of which no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(E) Open September 1 through October 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and coho.

(F) Open November 1 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(h) From McNary Dam to Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco:

(i) Columbia River rules apply downstream of the Burbank-to-Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.5.

(ii) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit except release all trout.

(iii) Steelhead: Open January 1 through March 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(iv) Salmon and steelhead:

(A) When open from March 16 through June 15 from McNary Dam to the Washington/Oregon border: From August 1 through December 31, each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.

(B) Open June 16 through June 30: Daily limit 2. Release all salmon.

(D) Open August 1 through September 30: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(E) Open October 1 through November 30: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon and steelhead except Chinook and coho.

(F) Open December 1 through December 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 1 adult salmon or 1 hatchery steelhead may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(i) From the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco to the Interstate 182 Bridge:

(i) Closed waters: Within a 400 foot radius of the Columbia Irrigation District (CID) fish barrier at the mouth of the CID wasteway at Columbia Park.

(ii) For all open species except sturgeon: It is permissible to fish with two poles so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iii) Year-round night closure for salmon and steelhead fishing.

(iv) Other game fish: Statewide minimum size/daily limit except: Trout: Open year-round catch and release only.

(v) Steelhead:

(A) Open October 1 through October 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead with both the adipose and a ventral fin clipped may be retained.

(B) Open November 1 through March 31: Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(vi) Salmon: Open August 16 through October 31: Limit 6; no more than 2 adult salmon may be retained. Release all salmon except Chinook and coho.

(j) From the Interstate 182 Bridge to the Old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers, in Sec. 24, T13N, R27E:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) The area of the Columbia River between the markers located 100 feet upstream and 100 feet downstream of the Ringold Springs Hatchery Creek, and extending 100 feet towards the middle of the river.

(B) West Branch Esquatzel Coulee Block 1 Irrigation Wasteway Lagoon in the Columbia River, September 1 through November 30: Closed waters.

(ii) Trout and steelhead: Ringold Area Bank Fishery waters, from WDFW markers 1/4 mile downstream from the Ringold wasteway outlet, to WDFW markers 1/2 mile upstream from Spring Creek:

(A) Fishing is allowed only from the bank and only on the hatchery side of the river.

(B) Open April 1 through April 15:

(I) Release all trout.

(II) Daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(iii) For all open species except sturgeon: It is permissible to fish with two poles so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iv) Trout: Open year-round catch and release only.

(v) Steelhead:

(A) Open October 1 through October 31 daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead with both the adipose and a ventral fin clipped may be retained.

(B) Open November 1 through March 31 daily limit 2 hatchery steelhead.

(vi) Salmon: Open August 16 through October 31: Daily limit 6; no more than 2 adult salmon may be retained.

(k) From the Old Hanford townsite wooden power line towers, in Sec. 24, T13N, R27E, to Vernita Bridge, (Highway 24):

(i) Open February 1 through October 15.

(ii) For all open species except sturgeon: It is permissible to fish with two poles so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iii) Trout: Catch and release only.

(iv) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(v) Salmon: Open August 16 through October 15: Limit 6; no more than 2 adult salmon may be retained.

(l) From Vernita Bridge (Highway 24) to Priest Rapids Dam:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) At Priest Rapids Dam; waters between the upstream line of Priest Rapids Dam downstream to the boundary markers 650 feet below the fish ladders.

(B) At Jackson (Moran) Creek (waters of the Priest Rapids Hatchery system); extending to midstream of the Columbia River between boundary markers located 100 feet upstream and 400 feet downstream of the mouth of Jackson Creek.

(ii) For all open species except sturgeon: It is permissible to fish with two poles so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iii) Trout: Catch and release only.

(iv) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(v) Salmon: Open August 16 through October 15: Limit 6; no more than 2 adult salmon may be retained.

(m) From Priest Rapids Dam to Rock Island Dam:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) Wanapum Dam, between the upstream line of Wanapum Dam to the boundary markers 750 feet downstream of the east fish ladder and 500 feet downstream of the west fish ladder.

(B) Rock Island Dam, between the upstream line of Rock Island Dam to boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the fish ladders.

(ii) September 1 through October 15: Fishing two poles is permissible so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iii) Release all trout.

(iv) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(v) Salmon: Open September 1 through October 15: Open for Chinook only; daily limit 6, no more than 2 adults may be retained.

(n) From Rock Island Dam to Wells Dam:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) At Rocky Reach Dam between the upstream line of the dam to boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the fish ladders.

(B) At Wells Dam, between the upstream line of Wells Dam to boundary markers 400 feet downstream of the spawning channel discharge (on Chelan County side) and fish ladder (on Douglas County side).

(ii) Release all trout.

(iii) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(o) From Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster:

(i) July 16 through August 15: Fishing two poles is permissible so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(ii) Hatchery trout: Open July 16 through August 15. Minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit 10. Barbless hooks required.

(iii) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(p) From Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster to Chief Joseph Dam:

(i) Closed waters:

(A) From the Okanogan County shore between Chief Joseph Dam and the Highway 17 Bridge.

(B) From the Douglas County shore from Chief Joseph Dam to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek.

(ii) July 1 through August 15: Fishing two poles is permissible so long as the angler possesses a two-pole endorsement.

(iii) It is unlawful to fish from a floating device downstream of Chief Joseph Dam from the boundary marker to the Corps of Engineers safety zone marker.

(iv) Hatchery trout: Open July 1 through August 15. Minimum 12 inches. Daily limit 10. Barbless hooks required.

(v) Steelhead: Closed to fishing.

(q) Above Chief Joseph Dam: See Rufus Woods Lake in WAC 220-310-195.

(r) Above Grand Coulee Dam: See Lake Roosevelt in WAC 220-310-195.

PDFWAC 220-312-060

Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules—Columbia.