RICHLAND, Wash – The sockeye salmon fishing limits along the Hanford Reach and Upper Columbia River have been reduced due to a decrease in the run size, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Effective July 7 through August 31, 2025, several sections of the river will have specific fishing restrictions:
The Interstate-182 Bridge at Richland to the boundary markers 650 feet below the fish ladder at Priest Rapids Dam:
July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.July 9 through 31:Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.
Priest Rapids Dam to Wells Dam:
July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.July 9 through Aug. 31:Open Wednesdays-Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.
Wells Dam to Highway 173 Bridge at Brewster:
July 7 through 15: Closed to salmon fishing.July 16 through Aug. 31:Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays. Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.
Highway 173 Bridge to the Army Corps of Engineers safety marker on the Douglas County shore to the rock jetty at the upstream shoreline of Foster Creek:
July 7 through July 8: Closed to salmon fishing.July 9 through Aug. 31:Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Closed Sundays through Tuesdays.Salmon minimum size 12 inches. Daily limit two sockeye. Release all other salmon.
On June 30, 2025, the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) downgraded the sockeye run size from 350,200 to 183,200 fish, significantly affecting the number available for harvest. Approximately 12,800 fish are available, subject to change based on future assessments, said the release.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change notifications and check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website for updates. The Fish Washington mobile app is also recommended for on-the-go information.
