Friday June 19, 2026
WDFW —
Changes are coming to planned sockeye salmon fisheries throughout the Columbia River, as early return data shows abundances are much lower than pre-season forecasts.
Based on current run size information, recreational sockeye fisheries in the Upper Columbia River will not open July 1, and the Hanford Reach sockeye fishery, which opened June 16, will close on June 20.
The planned sockeye retention season in the lower Columbia River downstream of the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco is reduced by four retention days following joint state action taken by Oregon and Washington fishery managers. The updated season is June 27 through July 5, but further modifications may be necessary as staff continue to monitor the run. Anglers can find details on the updated seasons on the emergency fishing rules webpage on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.
Both states jointly manage Columbia River mainstem waters downstream of the Washington-Oregon state line, and fishery management decisions consider constituents across both states.