19sparky55

What time (month) is a good time to start fishing the Columbia River for steelhead?

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

Emergency order halts salmon, steelhead fishing on most of Columbia River.


Most of the Columbia River will close to all recreational salmon and steelhead fishing effective Thursday, with the exception of the Hanford Reach.

The closure comes at the tail end of a challenging year on the Columbia that saw low returns for many salmon and steelhead runs, said Bill Tweit, special assistant with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, in the emergency notice.

The department saw record low numbers of summer steelhead and poor ocean conditions.


https://amp.tri-cityherald.com/sports/outdoors/article235487387.html

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Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

zzzzzzzMaybe they will kill some of the Sea Lions that work the mouths of many rivers decimating the salmon and steelhead.

Egghead

Fishing Fool, that's a foolish assumption. Your Gunna get hate mail threats to kill you dog and cat it never ends. Killin sea lions would definitely help the runs. They are a predater.when there are more sea lions on the California Oregon and Washington coast than fish that swim up the the river. There's a problem. The US fish and wildlife are a bunch of spineless $#$@#& @#$&#$@ and the truth be known there probly infiltrated by Animal rights groups. Friends of fish Peta, wolf lovers they won't stop until there's only predators left eating each other. That's when they win. And we can't Fish or hunt anymore. Sad but true my friend in water.!!!!!

Fishinmaniac Loc: SW Washington

Sparky, this used to be primarily a June, July, August fishery for the summer runs.
The regulations are unpredictable with the low returns. If you have a boat and are able to travel around there is usually a fishery of some kind happening somewhere between the ocean and Pasco during that time.
I’ve had good success over the years around Kalama, Frenchman’s Bar, below the Sandy River mouth, Drano Lake and the mouth of the Big White Salmon. Also, the mouth of the Deschutes can be lights out!
Good luck to you.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I believe Ron62 has some old info. I just looked at the ODFW fishing report for the Columbia. As of Jan.1,2020, "retention of Chinook are legal from Buoy 10 to the I-5 bridge, steelhead from from Buoy 10 to McNary dam.

Fishinmaniac Loc: SW Washington

Yes, the link was old. Regulations are set, as you mentioned, but are regularly modified.
Anyone who hopes to keep up should go onto the WDFW website and sign up for alerts and modification notices.
I’d be out there if there were any fish to catch.
While your looking at the season dates you’ll notice that the Columbia River will close right when the Springer numbers are picking up and the open again (maybe) in May as soon as the run is done.
I’ll keep hoping for the best.
Good luck to you.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

But I'm guessing that somehow the net-boys will be allocated to work just about then, huh ? Let's not get started on the Fisheries situation on the Columbia or ODFW's management of that waterway or all the rest in the state. And hatchery management in this state is even more controversial.
We would all be out there more if, like you say..... there were any !
I suggest you watch Outdoor GPS on NBCSPORTSNW (ch 426 on my Charter cable) show on Thursday and Friday evenings @ 7pm and 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Covers Oregon and Washington fairly well, a great, knowledgeable host in Owin Hayes. Lots of good advice and tips from Owin and guests.
And don't forget to get the revenue-producing, we're not gonna tell you what we spend it on,.....Columbia Drainage endorsement ! (I had never purchased one, since I wasn't planning on fishing the Columbia, proper,... now I find out it's EVERYTHING that enters the big C, including even the Deschutes !....ah, come on, folks... more fees ?)

BKC CURTIS Loc: PORTLAND OREGON

Sea Lion problem. Sixty Two years ago when l was 10 years old my Great Uncle Lewy used to hunt Seals in Tillamook Bay on Oregon Coast with a Shot Gun. He would cut off their Noses and turn them in to the Game Dept. and receive a Bounty on each one he turned in. Different times now huh? I think they should open a Regulated Sea Lion Hunt on the Columbia River for Indiginous Tribal members who could put most every part part of those animals to good use as has been their custom with everything they have gathered for sustenance for thousands of years. Hows THAT for a run-on sentence. Bcurtis.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I would certainly support that move, as the sea lion problem is just getting ridiculous. I saw a news report showing ODFW transporting captured sea lions from the Willamette over to the coast, tagged them, released them.....and RECAPTURED THE SAME ONES FOUR DAYS LATER, in the original spot... they had traveled over 200 water miles from the release spot !!! That's some fast swimming, huh ?
Unfortunately, Oregon is populated with good folks, that have "PETA- inspired blinders" on. I have been ridiculed for my thoughts on a "Bow Hunt" Roundup for deer roaming the cities of Ashland and Jacksonville, where it is an unusual day that you don't have to hit the brakes to keep from hitting one every six blocks. Could feed a bunch of the homeless and welfare folk with the venison garnered in just one day.
I have gone as far as to lay out a "Hunt Rules" program AND line up more than a dozen archery hunters to buy a "tag" where they get to keep the backstrap and rack and donate the rest to ACCESS Foodshare program, all were enthusiastic. My buddy, and former regular client, his Honor, the mayor, did not have a sympathetic ear, in the least, when presented with the proposal and I had even chatted with the police chief about it, citing liability concerns and how to mitigate the imminent fallout from the "they're so cute" crowd. Both considered it "a fool's errand". Oh, well...I tried.
An Ashland man is now facing quite a few charges, because he got fed up with the damage to his property's flora and having his dog attacked by a 4 point buck, so he just shot the s.o.b. ! Gonna be an expensive lapse of good sense and lack of restraint, one stray shot hit his neighbor's garage...oops !

BKC CURTIS Loc: PORTLAND OREGON

Deer, after being shot by an Arrow, usually run for a while before dropping and if they were running anywhere near town and people saw a deer running with an Arrow sticking out of it and Bleeding and Panting and their tongue all hanging out and stuff, there would be Hell To Pay and a Play about it.

19sparky55

Years ago,when I was younger, I remember that Idaho had an over abundance of jack rabbits that were endangering the countryside. The state went as far as paid people to come and hunt down the animals that were ruining the environment. Nobody was worried about seeing a jack rabbit being shot. Some people have to stand up and do what is right for the environment. Do these same people that don't want to see a deer walking around with your so called arrow sticking out of them, like the look of a deer with mange and risking a plague in the animal kingdom? They call it management and over population of any one species can be a terrible thing to overcome if not kept in check.

BKC CURTIS Loc: PORTLAND OREGON

I agree with you. I believe in the necessities of Culling. I was saying that some people in Town would have a problem with it. But really, ( My ) so called Arrow stinking out of them?) Look up the word Facicious and see if l'm spelling it right. ; )

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

FACETIOUS, I believe, is correct.

Yeah, it's Ashland, after all. Wouldn't be Shakespeare-worthy, but somebody in town could pen a 3-act for one of the "off-Bardway" theatres in town.....lol.
Maybe I could audition for the part of one of the "Huntsmen" ! (or the guy firing up the grill !)