The Four Columbia River Tribes have changed the previously adopted fishery plans because updated catch data indicate the fisheries are expected to reach the harvest guidelines:
Commercial Gillnet Fishery
- THE DALLES Pool ONLY
- Dates/Times: The commercial gillnet fishery planned for MON, 2/13 IS RESCINDED and will not longer occur.
- JOHN DAY Pool ONLY
- Dates/Times: The planned commercial gillnet fishery extension in the John Day Pool IS RESCINDED and the fishery will close at 12:00pm on MON, Feb 13.
- Gear: Gillnets with no mesh size restriction.
- Allowable Sales: Sturgeon from 43 to 54 inches fork length, salmon (any species), steelhead, walleye, bass, carp, catfish, shad, and yellow perch may be sold or kept for subsistence purposes. Fish landed during the open periods are allowed to be sold after the period concludes.
- Sanctuaries: River mouth and dam closed areas applicable to gillnet gear are in effect.
2023 Commercial Sturgeon Harvest Guidelines
- Bonneville: 675
- The Dalles: 560
- John Day: 210
Zone 6 Platform and Hook-and-line fishery
- Area: All of Zone 6
- Dates/Times: UNCHANGED run thru 6 PM Saturday, March 18
- Gear: Hoop nets, dip bag nets, dip nets, hook and line.
- Allowable Sales: Salmon (any species), steelhead, shad, carp, catfish, walleye, bass, and yellow perch may be sold or retained for subsistence. Sturgeon from 43 – 54” fork length in the John Day and The Dalles pools and from 38 – 54” in the Bonneville Pool may be retained for subsistence. Sturgeon within the legal-size limits and caught in the platform and hook and line fishery may be sold only if caught during open commercial gillnet periods for that pool. Sales of fish are allowed after the fishing period as long as they were landed during the open commercial period.
- Sanctuaries: Standard river mouth and dam closed areas applicable to platform and hook and line gear are in effect.
Note: This announcement is an informational document and does not constitute a fishery regulation. Individual tribes determine actual fishing regulations for their members. Copies of regulations are available from tribal fishery departments.
Fisher Information
- Vaccines work and are safe. Get vaccinated to help protect you, your family, and your tribal community. One Community Health is the tribal health partner in the Columbia Gorge. Call them at 541-386-6380 to schedule your free vaccination or call your tribal clinic to get it before heading to the river.
- If you have any fishing enforcement problems or need assistance or information, day, or night, contact the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Enforcement Office, 4270 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, Oregon. Phone: (541)-386-6363 or toll-free (800)-487-FISH (3474).
- Show pride in your tribe’s treaty rights by carrying your tribal ID. Please consult your tribal Fisheries Department for additional details on tribal regulations. PLEASE WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKETS FOR SAFETY and avoid overloading your boats.