Washington
Columbia River fishing guide
The Columbia River in Washington holds Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, White Crappie, Walleye, and Rainbow Trout. Anglers can access the river via six boat launches including Woodland Bottoms Water Access Site, Huntzinger Boat Launch, Lower Wanapum Boat Launch, and Langsdorf Landing Boat Launch, plus public bank access at several locations.
Current conditions
As of September 1, 2026, Columbia River is running around 134,000 cfs. The nearest streamgage reports flow but not water temperature, so no temp is shown. Conditions look good for fishing right now.
- State
- Washington
- Public access
- Yes
- Access points
- 12
- Species recorded
- 23
These conditions are read from our data about once a day and may not reflect the current moment. For real-time conditions, open Guidepole Fish.
Public access & launches
Extensive public bank access along the Columbia River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.
- Woodland Bottoms Water Access SiteBoat launch
- Sportsman's Club Boat LaunchWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeBoat launch
- Public Access Boat LaunchBoat launch
- Langsdorf Landing Boat LaunchWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeBoat launch
- Huntzinger Boat LaunchGrant County PUDBoat launch
- Lower Wanapum Boat LaunchGrant County PUDBoat launch
- Chinook LandingODFWFishing access
- Vernita BridgeWDFWBoat access
- Sportsman's ClubWDFWBoat access
- Woodland BarWDFWBoat access
- Ringold SpringsWDFWBoat access
- Pixie ParkPrivateBoat access
Regulations
- All game fishfrom the marker 400’ downstream of the mouth of the Priest Rapids Hatchery outlet channel (Jackson Creek) to the boundary markers 650’ below the fish ladder at Priest Rapids Dam CRC (536)
- Season
- Year-round
Statewide min. size/daily limit.
- All other fish (not listed in special rules)North Jetty CRC (1)
- Season
- Year-round
CLOSED to fishing for, retaining, or possessing.
- All speciesYoungs Bay Control Zone - waters south of a line originating on the Oregon shore at the east end of the seawall at the Warrenton Fiber log yard (approx. river mile 10.1) northeasterly through green navigation buoys 29, 31, 33, 35A to the center of the Ast
- Season
- Aug. 1-Sept. 15
Closed.
- All speciesYoungs Bay Control Zone - waters south of a line originating on the Oregon shore at the east end of the seawall at the Warrenton Fiber log yard (approx. river mile 10.1) northeasterly through green navigation buoys 29, 31, 33, 35A to the center of the Ast
- Gear
- Night closure and barbless hooks required (salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon only)
Night closure and barbless hooks required (salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon only).
- All speciesfrom Hwy. 173 Bridge at Brewster to Hwy. 17 CRC (545)
- Season
- July 1-Aug. 31
Two-Pole allowed.
- All speciesfrom a true north and south line through Buoy 10 to the Megler Astoria Bridge, except see Youngs Bay Control Zone CRC (519)
- Gear
- Night closure and barbless hooks required (salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon only)
Night closure and barbless hooks required (salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon only).
- All speciesNorth Jetty CRC (1)
A saltwater or combination license is required to fish the north jetty.
- All speciesfrom a true north and south line through Buoy 10 to the Megler Astoria Bridge, except see Youngs Bay Control Zone CRC (519)
- Season
- Aug. 1-Dec. 31
- Gear
- Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved
Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.
- All speciesfrom a true north and south line through Buoy 10 to the Megler Astoria Bridge, except see Youngs Bay Control Zone CRC (519)
- Season
- Year-round
Anglers may fish with either a saltwater, freshwater, or combination license in the waters of the Columbia River from the Buoy 10 line to a line from Rocky Point on the Washington shore, to Tongue Point on the Oregon Shore.
- All speciesYoungs Bay Control Zone - waters south of a line originating on the Oregon shore at the east end of the seawall at the Warrenton Fiber log yard (approx. river mile 10.1) northeasterly through green navigation buoys 29, 31, 33, 35A to the center of the Ast
- Season
- Aug. 1-Dec. 31
- Gear
- Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved
Each angler aboard a vessel may deploy salmon/steelhead angling gear until the daily salmon/steelhead limit for all anglers aboard has been achieved.
As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Washington regulations
What’s in it
Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.
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Columbia River fishing — FAQ
Can you fish the Columbia River?
Yes — the Columbia River in Washington has public access (extensive public bank access). Open the guide to see the public access, launches, and current regulations.
Do you need a license to fish the Columbia River?
Yes — Washington requires a valid fishing license for most fishing. The current official state regulations are linked on this page.
What fish are in the Columbia River?
Species recorded in the Columbia River include Yellow Perch, Bullhead Catfish, American Shad, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass. The full list is on this page.
Where can you access the Columbia River?
Access points include Woodland Bottoms Water Access Site, Sportsman's Club Boat Launch, Public Access Boat Launch. See every launch and access site on this page.
Get detailed fishing conditions for the Columbia River on your phone
The full access map, live conditions, and an agent you can just ask — on your iPhone.
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