Outdoors – The Columbian

Columbia River and tributary fishery report for May 18-25

Columbian news services — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:35:59 +0000

On the lower Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam, there were 342 boats and 401 Washington bank rods tallied on the May 24 flight count.

Vancouver Trout Hatchery a place to nurture both fish and community

Doug Flanagan — Wed, 27 May 2026 13:08:02 +0000

Vancouver Trout Hatchery visitors can wander freely among ponds and pathways, stop to chat with staff members tending fish or watch trout grow in the water below.

Columbia River and tributary fishery report for May 11-17

Columbian news services — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:35:28 +0000

On the lower Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam, there were 406 salmonid boats and 286 Washington bank rods tallied on the May 16 flight count.

Clark County Public Health issues warning on water safety

Kimberly Cortez — Fri, 22 May 2026 19:39:18 +0000

As Clark County residents gear up for summer, officials warn that lakes and rivers pose significant dangers to swimmers and boaters.

Field notes: More days added to Columbia River spring Chinook salmon fishing

Columbian news services — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:29:24 +0000

The Columbia River is opening again for spring Chinook salmon fishing, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife announced Thursday.

Columbia River tributary fishery report for May 4-11

Columbian news services — Sat, 16 May 2026 13:00:59 +0000

Columbia tributaries SALMON/STEELHEAD Cowlitz River (Interstate 5 Bridge downstream) — 101 bank anglers kept one steelhead, and released one Chinook, one steelhead and one sturgeon. one boat/two rods had no catch. Cowlitz River (I-5 Bridge upstream) — 18 bank anglers kept one Chinook. Kalama River — 44 bank anglers kept four Chinook and one jack. […]

Six days added to angle for spring Chinook below Bonneville Dam

Terry Otto — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:05:47 +0000

Ahead of the spring Chinook mid-May Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) run update, the fisheries managers of Oregon and Washington opted in a bi-state meeting last Tuesday to reopen the Columbia River for additional retention days over two weekends.

Columbia Gorge walleye fishing at its best now in The Dalles Pool

Terry Otto — Sun, 10 May 2026 13:05:20 +0000

The spawn is now over, and the best walleye fishing of the year is taking place in The Dalles Pool of the Columbia River.

Tour de wonders: Clark County’s beauty, history the theme of this year’s Ride Around Clark County

Scott Hewitt — Sun, 10 May 2026 13:03:40 +0000

Why are wonders usually marketed in sevens? That tradition seems to have started with the ancient Greeks, who observed seven celestial bodies (five planets plus sun and Moon) and regarded that number as the ultimate, perfect, complete amount — of anything.

Columbia River tributary fishery report for April 27-May 3

Columbian news services — Sat, 09 May 2026 12:35:25 +0000

SALMON/STEELHEAD

Wind River offers more relaxed spring Chinook fishing option

Terry Otto — Sun, 03 May 2026 13:00:18 +0000

The lower Columbia River is now closed to the retention of spring Chinook, at least until the mid-May run update, so anglers intent on continuing to fish for the highly prized salmon are turning to the fisheries above Bonneville Dam.

Columbia River tributary fishery report for April 20-26

Columbian news services — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:25:31 +0000

SALMON/STEELHEAD

WDFW approves final coastal razor clam digs of spring season

Columbian news services — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:30:11 +0000

OLYMPIA — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers confirmed that the final coastal razor clam digs of the season can proceed as planned starting Thursday and running through May 6 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks beaches.

Lakes are stocked for 2026 trout season and derby opener

Terry Otto — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:55:55 +0000

Saturday marked the spring trout opener across Washington, and thousands of anglers will gather at local lakes to try their hand at catching some of the millions of trout stocked out by the state of Washington.

Columbia River and tributary fishery report for April 13-19

Columbian news services — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:45:47 +0000

On the lower Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam there were 1,449 salmon boats and 379 Washington bank rods tallied on the April 18 flight count.

Northern pikeminnow reward fishery begins May 1

Columbian news services — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:35:16 +0000

RIDGEFIELD — The 2026 Northern pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery will open May 1, offering anglers the chance to earn cash while helping protect vulnerable salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Razor clam daylight digs capping long season on Washington coast

For The Columbian — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:55:32 +0000

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has announced seven days of razor clam digs on the Washington coast that started on Friday, April 17, and will run through Thursday, April 23.

Columbia River and tributary fishery report for April 6-12

Columbian news services — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:35:27 +0000

On the lower Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam there were 660 salmon boats and 195 Washington bank rods tallied on the April 11 flight count.

WA Fish and Wildlife Commission meets this week

Michael Wright, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:32:03 +0000

SPOKANE — The panel that oversees the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will meet this week, the first such gathering since one of its members sued the top administrators at the agency it oversees.

Meeting with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez held in ongoing battle over Skamania Hatchery closure

Terry Otto — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:01:23 +0000

The contentious decision to close the state-run Skamania Steelhead Hatchery along the Washougal River has alarmed and angered many local anglers and conservation groups, as well as county officials because of not only the loss of the fisheries, but also the loss of local revenue generated by angling activities.

Columbia River and tributary fishery report for March 30-April 5

Columbian news services — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:45:23 +0000

On the lower Columbia River from Rocky Point/Tongue Point line upstream to Bonneville Dam there were 830 salmon boats and 223 Washington bank rods tallied on the April 4 flight count.

7 days of Washington coastal razor clam digs start April 17

Columbian news services — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:35:01 +0000

OLYMPIA — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers confirmed Friday, razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks beaches from April 17-23.

Lower Columbia River spring Chinook salmon season extended

Columbian news services — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:07:27 +0000

Lower catch rates have resulted in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife extending the spring Chinoook season in the Columbia River.

Mt. Hood Meadows ski area announces close to season on April 12, makes plans for 2026-27

Tim Martinez — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:02:40 +0000

Southwest Washington skiers and snowboarders looking to hit the slopes for spring break got some good news this week.

WA Fish and Wildlife commissioner accuses agency director of retaliation

Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:31:13 +0000

A federal lawsuit filed Thursday accuses the leaders of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife of attempting to silence a member of the citizen panel that oversees the agency in retaliation for her ongoing criticism of their administration.