Winter Salmon & Steelhead Open On Columbia River

Those anglers that aren't bothered by cold temperatures are bringing home some winter beauties.

Now that the Seahawks are done playing for the year, there is no excuse not to head out for some weekend fun.

In case you've forgotten with the busy holiday season and recent icy weather, fishing for salmon and steelhead is once again open on the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the river upstream to the Hwy. 395 Bridge (the blue bridge) near Pasco.

For those that don't have a boat, waders and a bead will land you some rather wonderful steelhead catches in Ringold.

The round rocks on the shore of this fishery make it a popular spot for anglers in search of prime bank fishing on the Columbia River. Ringold is north of Pasco (take the road 68 exit off I-182), where the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has created a very specific fishery with Ringold Hatchery steelhead specially marked with both a clipped adipose and ventral fin. The upper boundary line on the lower Hanford Reach steelhead fishery is the old Hanford townsite wooden powerline towers.

The Snake River is also open, but is generally slow this time of year. With a few warm days and snow melt, anglers could see some fish moving into tributaries like the Walla Walla, Touchet, Tucannon, and the lower Grand Ronde rivers, but anglers’ chances will improve on these waters in February.

I mention these Tri-Cities areas specifically because a lot of area anglers will be nearby for the Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show, Jan. 19-21. The TC show is pretty much the same as the one here in Yakima at the Sundome, which features the latest in outdoor equipment, a kids fishing pond, a free air-rifle range, fishing and hunting seminars, retriever demonstrations and more.