The Salmon Fishing Current blog: North of Falcon 2025 edition
Washington salmon season setting is complex fishery management, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers work to inform the public during the annual process.
For the second year, WDFW has created The Salmon Fishing Current blog. This blog is a way to provide regular updates of the ongoing developments during the upcoming 2025–26 salmon season setting process, known as North of Falcon. The name refers to waters north of Oregon’s Cape Falcon, which is the farthest south that Washington manages salmon stocks. This area includes freshwater and coastal areas of the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Columbia River.
Additionally, the blog keeps anglers informed of any in-season fishing rule changes, emergency closures or other related developments in Puget Sound, the coast, and Columbia River.
WDFW will host more than a dozen in-person and hybrid North of Falcon meetings in spring 2025 to develop the annual salmon fishing seasons. A full timeline of the process, including a public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback is available on WDFW’s North of Falcon webpage.
WDFW listens closely to the input of anglers statewide and attempts to find solutions that best serve the wide array of interested participants. WDFW also strives to meet conservation goals to aid the recovery of salmon and steelhead, including constraints under the federal Endangered Species Act.
WDFW works together with tribal co-managers to equitably divide the share of harvestable salmon, both during North of Falcon and ongoing management throughout the year.
Visit our new North of Falcon overview page for helpful information about meetings, a glossary of key terms, and suggested resources.
Find the latest salmon updates
March 11, 2025 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW sets quota alternatives for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries, seeks public input at March 19 NOF meeting in Olympia.
March 9, 2025 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW presents adjustments to ocean quota alternatives.
March 7, 2025 — Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting: WDFW proposes initial ocean quota alternatives.
Feb. 28, 2025 — WDFW releases statewide 2025–26 salmon forecasts and predict a good Puget Sound pink return of nearly 7.8-million fish this summer.
Feb. 19, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announced.
Feb. 13, 2025 — Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14.
Feb. 11, 2025 — WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process.
Feb. 11, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons to be announced soon.
March 11, 2025 — WDFW seeks public input on 2025 ocean salmon fishery proposals
Fishery managers have developed options for Washington’s ocean salmon fisheries. These options reflect higher numbers than 2024 for hatchery Chinook and coho forecasted to return to the Columbia River, while also considering conservation needs for natural-origin stocks.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), which brings tribal, federal, and state entities together to establish fishing seasons in ocean waters three to 200 nautical miles off the Pacific Coast, approved three options for ocean salmon fisheries for public review. These ocean options will help inform other Washington salmon fisheries as the season-setting process continues through April.
“With the range of ocean fishery options set, Washington state fishery managers can start working on interior Puget Sound salmon fisheries,” said Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program director. “We invite the public to join us and share input at the upcoming North of Falcon meeting in Olympia on March 19, when we’ll present management objectives and proposed fishery plans for Puget Sound.”
The options for 2025 include the following coho quotas and Chinook guidelines for recreational fisheries off the Washington coast:
Option one: 122,500 Chinook and 120,000 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 10,480 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 14,330 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 2,620 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 2,400 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 37,300 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 23,940 Chinook.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 21, either through Sept. 30, or 50,400 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 18,330 Chinook.
All option one seasons include a short period of coho non-retention in June.
Option two: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 30, or 10,050 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 13,360 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 14, or 2,510 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 2,230 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 28 either through Aug. 2, or 35,740 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 22,320 Chinook. Beginning Aug. 3 through Sept. 28, open five days per week (Sunday-Thursday) or until the quotas and guidelines are met.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 25, either through Sept. 30, or 48,300 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 17,090 Chinook.
Option three: 92,500 Chinook and 85,000 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 8, or 7,420 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 11,230 Chinook. No Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line beginning Aug. 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 8, or 1,860 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 1,880 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open five days per week (Sunday-Thursday) from June 29, either through July 24, or 26,420 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 18,770 Chinook. Beginning July 25 through Sept. 21, open seven days per week or until the quotas and guidelines are met.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 28, either through Sept. 15, or 35,700 marked coho subarea quota is met with a subarea guideline of 14,370 Chinook.
Buoy 10 (located near the mouth of the Lower Columbia River): The expected landed catch of marked coho ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 under these options.
Under these scenarios, fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon recreational anglers catch and may close areas earlier than the above dates if quotas are met. For more details about the options, refer to the PFMC March council meeting webpage.
Coho quotas and Chinook guidelines and seasons that the PFMC approved will be part of a comprehensive 2025 salmon-fishing package, which includes marine and freshwater fisheries throughout Washington. State and tribal co-managers will complete the tentative 2025 salmon fisheries seasons in conjunction with PFMC during its April 10–15 meeting in San Jose, California.
WDFW’s North of Falcon №1 meeting is Wednesday, March 19 at 9 a.m., at the Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington Street S.E. in Olympia. This meeting is hybrid, and pre-registration is required to attend virtually.
In addition to attending meetings throughout the state, the public can participate in the NOF process by:
- Submitting online comments on potential fisheries at WDFW’s North of Falcon public input webpage. Additional comment opportunities on specific seasons and fisheries will be available as forecasts and proposed season summaries are available.
- Attending virtual meetings and daily briefings with state fishery managers in the second PFMC meeting in San Jose, California during the final days of negotiations. Meeting information will be available on the North of Falcon public meeting schedule.
Fishery managers use public feedback on these options to negotiate a final season among states and tribes represented at PFMC. WDFW listens closely to the input of anglers statewide and attempts to find solutions that best serve the wide array of interested participants.
For a full timeline of the WDFW public meetings with opportunities to participate and provide feedback, visit the North of Falcon overview page.
March 9, 2025 — WDFW presents adjustments to ocean quota alternatives
During the March 9 Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Vancouver, Washington, WDFW presented updates to the proposed ocean quota alternatives:
· Option 1: 122,500 Chinook and 120,000 marked coho.
· Option 2: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
· Option 3: 92,500 Chinook and 90,000 marked coho.
“After evaluating the three preliminary recreational ocean salmon fishing quota options for Washington waters presented during the March 7 meeting, we needed to adjust options one and three to help us meet management objectives on key stocks,” said Kelly Cunningham, WDFW Fish Program director.
These adjustments are a routine part of the process during PFMC meetings. Over the next two days, WDFW will work with co-managers, state and federal partners, and the public to agree on the range of ocean quota alternatives for recreational and commercial fisheries off the Washington coast. The final ocean alternatives will be announced March 11.
Final fishing seasons for recreational and commercial fisheries for the coast, Puget Sound, and Columbia River will be announced following the PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California. Between the March and April PFMC meetings, WDFW will host public meetings throughout the state to gather feedback on proposed fisheries as part of the North of Falcon Process. Find information about upcoming meetings, materials, and opportunities to provide public input on the updated WDFW North of Falcon webpages.
March 7, 2025 — Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is meeting in Vancouver, Washington, March 6 to 11 to begin developing ocean salmon fishing regulations for 2025. Discussions focus on the latest salmon forecasts, management goals, and initial proposed fishing season options. Reports from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), tribes, and state agencies will set the stage for decision-making in April.
In the March 7 meeting, WDFW fishery managers developed and proposed three preliminary recreational ocean salmon fishing season and quota options for Washington waters. These initial proposed ocean quota alternatives include:
· Option 1: 127,500 Chinook and 130,000 marked coho.
· Option 2: 112,500 Chinook and 115,000 marked coho.
· Option 3: 97,500 Chinook and 100,000 marked coho.
“Now that we have these initial options, we can begin to craft fisheries that balance harvest with conservation for the upcoming year,” said Kelly Cunningham, Fish Program director. “This is an important first milestone in the North of Falcon process.”
Other meeting developments
· Discussions during the March 6 meeting focused on reviewing 2024 salmon returns and 2025 forecasts. Refer to WDFW’s Feb. 28 Salmon Fishing Current blog post for this year’s initial statewide salmon forecasts.
Upcoming meetings
· WDFW will hold the first North of Falcon public meeting of the 2025 session on Wednesday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Office Building 2 Auditorium in Olympia. The meeting will cover statewide management objectives and proposed fishery plans, with a focus on Puget Sound recreational and commercial fisheries. The meeting will be hybrid; pre-registration is required. More information, including meeting materials, will be available on the March 19 event webpage.
· For a complete list of upcoming statewide salmon-related public meetings, visit the WDFW North of Falcon public meeting schedule.
Washington, Oregon, and California salmon fishing seasons are expected to be finalized during a PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California.
Feb. 28, 2025 — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) release salmon forecasts and predict a good Puget Sound pink return
Initial statewide salmon forecasts, developed by WDFW fishery managers and tribal co-managers, were presented at a public meeting on Friday, Feb. 28. The meeting materials and salmon forecasts are on the WDFW North of Falcon webpage.
While the initial 2025–2026 salmon forecasts have come to light, we are still a few months away from knowing exactly how those will correlate into specific freshwater and marine area fishing seasons. The discussion during the meeting centered on management objectives, environmental factors and how they affect salmon, and feedback from the public and sport fishing advisory groups.
The next steps in the salmon season setting process are determining if there’s a harvestable surplus; proposing fisheries and predicting catches; modeling fisheries to shape which stocks are of conservation concern and constraining fisheries; and negotiating with tribal co-managers and other states for equitable catch sharing plans and impacts on weak salmon stocks.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meets on March 6–11 in Vancouver, Washington. During the meetings, WDFW fishery managers will develop three proposed ocean salmon season and quota options for waters three to 200 nautical miles off the Washington coast. For event details, agenda, and materials, visit the PFMC website.
Washington, Oregon, and California salmon fishing seasons are expected to be finalized during a PFMC meeting on April 10–15 in San Jose, California. For a complete list of upcoming statewide salmon-related public meetings, visit the WDFW North of Falcon public meeting webpage.
Strong Puget Sound pink forecast expected
The 2025 Puget Sound pink forecast of nearly 7.8 million is predicted to be the third largest total return on record, up from more than 3.9 million in 2023, and 2.9 million in 2021.
A breakdown of the pink forecasts:
• Green River, 1,835,366.
• Hood Canal, 2,414,207.
• Nisqually, 1,503,704.
• Nooksack River, 97,370.
• Skagit River, 468,073.
• Stillaguamish River, 117,322.
• Snohomish River, 315,942.
• Puyallup River, 709,292.
• Strait of Juan de Fuca, 294,503.
• South Sound areas, 503.
While relatively small (three to five pounds), pinks are the fastest growing Pacific salmon species. They return in bulk during odd-numbered years after spending two years in the ocean before migrating to natal rivers.
The Puget Sound pink run usually peaks in mid-August, and in southern Puget Sound the last week of August and early September are best. Pinks draw a buzz among salmon anglers because they’re relatively easy to catch from shore and boat. Pinks tend to stay close to the shoreline to avoid strong currents, so bank anglers can find them just a short cast away. Pink fishing in Puget Sound was accessible in 2023 and 2021 during late summer.
Other salmon forecasts
• The 2025 Puget Sound summer/fall wild Chinook forecast is 24,853 compared to 28,566 in 2024. The hatchery Chinook forecast is 246,524 compared to 194,338 in 2024. The wild Chinook stocks of concern in 2025 are the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Skagit and Nooksack rivers. On the coast, the 2025 wild Chinook forecast is 32,823 and the hatchery Chinook forecast is 42,440.
•The 2025 Puget Sound coho forecast is 727,058 compared to 722,619 in 2024. The wild coho forecast of 264,878 is down from 302,653 in 2024, but the hatchery forecast of 462,180 is up from 419,966 in 2024.
•The Hood Canal wild coho forecast of 16,710 returning in 2025 is much smaller than the 2024 return of 36,422, putting the stock in critical status and requiring a much lower level of impact than was allowed in 2024 (20% Exploitation Rate ceiling in 2025 vs. 45% Exploitation Rate in 2024).
•The 2025 Baker Lake sockeye forecast is 60,214 and is predicted to be another record high forecast up from 56,750 in 2024 and 31,296 (actual return was a record high of more than 65,000) in 2023.
•The 2025 Columbia River fall Chinook forecast is 718,000 compared to the forecast of 547,800 and an actual return of 669,505 in 2024. The 2025 Columbia River coho forecast is 303,800 and much lower than the forecast of 736,982 in 2024.
•The 2025 Columbia River sockeye forecast of 350,200 is about half of last year’s record return, however this year’s forecast is slightly higher than the 10-year recent average return and predicted to be a good return. The Okanogan River forecast is 248,000 (288,700 was forecast and the actual return of 572,552 in 2024).
•The 2025 Lake Wenatchee sockeye forecast is 94,000 in 2025. The 2024 record breaking sockeye return was 190,117 (97,000 was the forecast in 2024). The 2025 Lake Wenatchee forecast is well above the spawning escapement objective of 23,000 at Tumwater Dam, and if that happens there is a possibility for another late-summer sport fishery in the lake.
Feb. 19, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons announced
The 2025 Columbia River recreational spring Chinook salmon fishing season has been set after fishery managers from Washington and Oregon on Wednesday approved the season structure during a joint state hearing.
This year’s forecast projects 217,500 spring Chinook will return to the Columbia River’s mouth, up from an estimated 189,559 fish in 2024. The forecast estimates 122,500 of those fish will return to tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam, an increase from the estimated 116,332 upriver fish that returned last year.
“With an upriver run size that compares similarly to recent years, 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 (WDFW). “At the same time, we must carefully manage these fisheries to protect Endangered Species Act-listed stocks to ensure the long-term stability of these fisheries.”
Salmon and steelhead fishing is open daily through March 31 from the mouth of the Columbia River to the Interstate 5 bridge under permanent regulations. During today’s hearing, fishery managers approved additional fishing opportunities on the mainstem Columbia River for the following dates and locations:
- March 1 through April 6: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. All wild steelhead and salmon other than hatchery Chinook must be released. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep. Shad retention is also allowed, with no size minimum or daily limit.
- April 1–26: Tower Island power lines (approximately six miles below The Dalles Dam) upstream to the Washington/Oregon border, plus only the Oregon and Washington banks by hand-cast from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Tower Island power lines. Salmon and steelhead: The daily limit is six, including no more than two adults, of which no more than one may be an adult Chinook. Anglers must release all wild steelhead and all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Salmon must be at least 12 inches to keep.
In 2025, recreational anglers are projected to harvest approximately 5,200 adult Chinook below Bonneville Dam and 550 from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Washington/Oregon border.
“Fortunately, we are able to provide a quality April weekend fishing opportunity downstream of Bonneville Dam this year,” Lothrop said. “Upstream of Bonneville Dam, increasing catch rates in recent years have led to early closures, resulting in fewer open fishing days before this year’s in-season run size update. However, if the run size update is large enough or if there is remaining catch allocation, additional fishing time is likely.”
Fishery managers will monitor the fisheries, dam counts, and hatchery returns as the season progresses and adjust as necessary. The U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee typically provides a run size update in mid-May.
Salmon and steelhead rules and limits in Deep River will be the same as the mainstem Columbia River when the mainstem is open to spring Chinook retention. Based on preseason forecasts, anglers can also expect to harvest spring Chinook in the Cowlitz, Kalama, and Lewis rivers in 2025.
Anglers should review the Washington Sport Fishing rules pamphlet or Fish Washington® mobile app for all permanent rules for the waters they plan to fish, as well as check for any emergency rule changes before heading out. Regulations may be modified in-season as returns materialize.
To receive regulation updates and Columbia River Compact fishery notices via email, subscribe to WDFW’s mailing lists.
Spring Chinook fishing tips
Trolling is the preferred method for anglers targeting spring Chinook in the lower Columbia River mainstem, while anchor fishing can be effective in areas with stronger currents. Many anglers find success using bait-wrapped plugs, herring, or prawns, with a diver or weight to keep gear near the riverbed, or bottom, where Chinook typically travel. Flashers are often used in combination with baits or lures to create additional attraction through flash and vibration. Using barbless hooks is required.
Selective fishing practices are essential to protecting wild stocks, particularly those listed under the Endangered Species Act. Anglers should handle fish with care, keeping wild salmon and steelhead in the water as much as possible when preparing to release. For tips on how to properly release a salmon or steelhead, refer to our blog post or watch our YouTube video.
Feb. 13, 2025 — Winter Chinook fishery opens four days a week in Marine Areas 10 and 11 starting April 2; Marine Area 5 opens April 14
Given the popularity of winter salmon fisheries in recent years and after discussions with the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group and recreational anglers, who indicated a priority to preserve opportunities as long as possible, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fishery managers, changed the season length in three marine areas.
Winter salmon fishing in Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) and Marine Area 11 (Tacoma-Vashon Island) opens four days a week — Wednesdays through Saturdays only — starting April 2 and winter Chinook fishing in Marine Area 5 (Sekiu and Pillar Point) opens daily starting April 14. The opening dates are a change from the 2024–2025 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet, which had the winter season in Marine Area 5 open from April 1 to 30, and Marine Areas 10 and 11 open daily from March 16 through April 30.
“Starting the season in Marine Areas 10 and 11 on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule gives us the best chance to fish the entire month,” said Lyle Jennings, the WDFW Puget Sound recreational fisheries manager. “Marine Area 5 is opening late due to limited moorage space and all the docks aren’t expected to be installed at the beginning of April.”
In Marine Areas 10 and 11, winter salmon fishing is open Wednesdays through Saturdays only from April 2 to 30, except open daily at year-round piers (Bremerton Boardwalk, Illahee State Park Pier, Seacrest Pier, Waterman Pier, Des Moines Pier, Les Davis Pier, Point Defiance Dock, and Redondo Pier).
In Marine Area 10, the winter Chinook guidelines are 4,787 total encounters, 735 total unmarked encounters, and 4,055 total sublegal (Chinook under the 22-inch minimum size limit) encounters. In Marine Area 11, the winter Chinook fishery guideline is 1,196 total encounters, 209 total unmarked encounters, and 840 total sublegal encounters.
In Marine Areas 10 and 11, the daily limit is two salmon including no more than one hatchery-marked Chinook. Anglers must release chum and wild Chinook, and the Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. All other salmon species have no minimum size limit. The Agate Pass Area in Marine Area 10 remains open daily through March 31 for catch-and-release fly fishing only, and closed beginning April 1. Commencement Bay in Marine Area 11 east of a line from Cliff House Restaurant to Sperry Ocean Dock line is closed to salmon fishing.
In Marine Area 5, winter Chinook fishing is open daily from April 14 to 30. The daily limit is one hatchery-marked Chinook. The Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Anglers must release all salmon other than hatchery-marked Chinook. In Marine Area 5, the total sublegal Chinook encounters are 2,168.
WDFW will evaluate catch rates from fishery data collected each week via test fishing and creel sampling throughout the season and assess whether the fishery should be opened additional days per week. For weekly updates on the status of these fisheries, anglers can refer to WDFW’s seasonal Puget Sound salmon fishery guidelines and quotas webpage.
Check the Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet and WDFW’s emergency rules webpage and download the Fish Washington mobile app for up-to-date regulations. Anglers are encouraged to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications.
Salmon seasons are a result of an annual collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process known as North of Falcon. The 2025–2026 statewide salmon forecast kickoff meeting is Friday, Feb. 28 in Olympia. For the public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate and provide public feedback, refer to the new WDFW North of Falcon webpage. For key terms and suggested resources refer to the WDFW’s North of Falcon FAQs and Glossary Information.
Feb. 11, 2025 — WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process
The 2025–26 Washington salmon season setting process kicks off on Friday, Feb. 28 when WDFW fishery managers have scheduled opportunities for the public to participate in a hybrid statewide forecast meeting in Olympia.
WDFW will present initial salmon forecasts developed by WDFW and tribal co-manager fisheries biologists on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington Street S.E. in Olympia. The main session of the Feb. 28 meeting will be available to watch via Zoom webinar. Participants must register in advance. The public can refer to the WDFW salmon forecast meeting news release for more information.
This will be followed by a Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting from March 6–11 in Vancouver, WA, where initial 2025 ocean fishing options will be adopted.
The first NOF public meeting to shape fisheries for inner-marine and freshwater salmon fisheries is March 19 in Olympia, and the second NOF public meeting is March 25 in Lynnwood. The final salmon seasons will be tentatively adopted when the PFMC meets from April 10–15 in San Jose, CA. A full timeline of the state’s North of Falcon process, including a public meeting schedule with opportunities to participate in meetings and provide public feedback, visit the WDFW North of Falcon webpage.
Feb. 11, 2025 — Columbia River spring Chinook fishing seasons to be announced soon
The first in a series of meetings is a hybrid joint state hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. where Washington and Oregon fishery managers will consider Columbia River recreational spring Chinook fisheries.
The Feb. 19 hearing will be held at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Clackamas office, 17330 S.E. Evelyn Street, Clackamas, OR 97015 and a teleconference call in option will be available on the Columbia River recreational fisheries webpage. The hearings are open to the public and allow for public testimony; interested individuals can sign up to receive notice of hearings.
Spring Chinook primarily enter freshwater during February through June to spawn in Columbia River tributaries during August through October. Returning adults are comprised of lower river (originating from tributaries downstream of Bonneville Dam) and upriver (originating from tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam) stocks.
Most wild spring Chinook entering the Columbia River are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return to the Snake River and Upper Columbia River tributaries.
The total spring Chinook forecast for 2025 is 217,500 up from the 2024 preseason of 205,600 and the actual return of 189,559.
In 2025, preseason forecasting anticipates a return of 122,500 adult upriver-origin spring Chinook and is 88% of the average returned observed from 2015 to 2024. Approximately 116,332 adult aged upriver-origin spring Chinook returned to the Columbia River in 2024, which was less than the preseason forecast of 121,000.
You can find all the early Columbia River spring and summer salmon forecasts by going to the WDFW website.
Under the current permanent WDFW regulations, the 2025 spring Chinook fishery on the Lower Columbia is open daily through March 31 from Buoy 10 to the Interstate-5 Bridge.
