Action: Reduce the steelhead daily limit to 2 hatchery fish.

Effective date: Jan. 1, 2021 through April 15, 2021.

Species affected: Steelhead.

Locations: Grand Ronde River, from the mouth to the Washington/Oregon state line.

Reason for action: Through Oct. 22, the Columbia River return of upriver steelhead is at 107,341 with an updated run forecast of 109,500 (77,200 Group A and 32,300 Group B). This is an overall increase within the steelhead return from the preseason forecast of 95,500 (85,900 Group A and 9,600 Group B). The revised forecast includes a decrease to Group A steelhead and large increase in Group B steelhead. Grande Ronde River returns for Washington and Oregon stocks are healthy enough to continue to allow a daily limit of 2 hatchery fish through the end of the season.

Additional information: All steelhead with unclipped adipose fins must be immediately released unharmed. In addition, anglers must observe gear restrictions identified in the 2020-21 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet such as barbless hook requirements and Selective Gear Rules, and must stop fishing for steelhead once the daily limit has been retained. 

Please be sure to identify your catch, as other salmonid species may be present during this fishery and are not open to harvest. Chinook, coho and steelhead may not be removed from the water if not to be retained as part of the daily bag limit.

Refer to the 2020-21 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other regulations, including possession limits, safety closures, etc., and please continue to check emergency rules. 

Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist, 509-382-1005.