The Columbia River Fall Salmon Derby runs each September and October on the main stem of the Columbia River in Washington

The Columbia River Fall Salmon Derby is a seasonal fishing event that opens the main stem of the Columbia River to anglers targeting fall chinook and coho salmon. The derby typically runs from early September through late October, though exact dates shift year to year based on fish counts and water conditions. You fish from the bank or from a boat, using live bait, spinners, or other legal tackle — the rules are the same as regular Columbia River salmon fishing, but the derby adds a competitive element with prize money for the largest fish.

The event is managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which sets the opening date each year based on how many salmon are returning to the river. Because the run timing varies, the WDFW announces the exact start date in late August on their website and through local fishing reports. The derby is free to enter — you do not pay a separate fee — but you do need a valid Washington fishing license and a Columbia River salmon endorsement if you are fishing for salmon on the main stem.

Key Takeaways

  • The derby runs September through October each year, with the exact opening date announced by WDFW in late August based on salmon returns.
  • You need a Washington fishing license and a Columbia River salmon endorsement to fish legally during the derby.
  • Prize money goes to the largest chinook and coho caught each week, with separate categories for bank and boat anglers.
  • The main stem of the Columbia River between the Bonneville Dam and the Washington-Oregon border is open during the derby, but specific sections may close if fish counts drop.
  • Fall chinook and coho respond well to live herring, spinners, and plugs fished near current breaks and deeper holes.

Where to Fish During the Derby

The derby opens the main stem of the Columbia River from the Bonneville Dam (near Portland) downstream to the Washington-Oregon border. The most productive sections for fall salmon are the deeper pools and current breaks where fish rest on their way upriver. Popular bank access points include the Rooster Crow area near Stevenson, the Skamania area, and various public boat launches along Highway 14 on the Washington side.

If you fish from a boat, you have access to more water and can reach deeper holes that hold larger chinook. The river is wide and powerful in fall, so know your boat handling and wear a life jacket. If you are new to the Columbia, fish with someone who knows the water or hire a guide for at least one trip — the difference between fishing the right depth and the wrong depth is often the difference between catching fish and going home empty.

What Tackle and Bait Work Best

Fall chinook and coho in the Columbia respond to live herring, which you can buy at tackle shops in Stevenson, White Salmon, and other towns along the river. Fish the herring on a simple rig: a barrel swivel, a 2/0 to 4/0 hook, and enough weight to hold bottom in the current. Cast upstream and let the bait drift naturally into the deeper water where salmon hold. Change your bait every 15 to 20 minutes — a fresh herring catches more fish than a tired one.

Spinners and plugs also work well, especially in the morning and evening when light is low. A 2-inch to 3-inch silver or chartreuse spinner cast across the current and retrieved steadily will draw strikes from coho. Larger plugs (3 to 4 inches) work better for chinook. The key is fishing the right depth — fall salmon in the Columbia often hold 8 to 15 feet down, so use enough weight or a sinking line to reach them.

How the Prize Structure Works

The derby awards prize money for the largest chinook and coho caught each week. There are separate categories for bank anglers and boat anglers, so you compete against people fishing the same way you are. The WDFW posts the weekly winners on their website and at local tackle shops. Prize amounts vary year to year depending on how many anglers enter, but the largest fish of the week typically wins several hundred dollars.

To enter a fish in the derby, you must have it weighed and recorded at an official weigh station. These are located at tackle shops and boat launches along the river — the WDFW provides a list of official stations when the derby opens. Bring your fish whole and fresh; most stations will weigh it, take a photo, and record your name and the catch details. You do not need to pre-register for the derby — you are automatically entered when you weigh a fish.

When Water Conditions Close Sections

The WDFW monitors salmon counts at the Bonneville Dam fish ladder throughout the fall. If the run is weaker than expected or if fish are not moving upriver as quickly as they should, the WDFW may close specific sections of the river to protect the remaining fish. These closures are announced on the WDFW website and through local fishing reports, usually with a few days' notice.

Check the WDFW website or call the Skamania County Sheriff's Office (which enforces fishing rules on the main stem) before you go. A section that was open last weekend may be closed this weekend, and fishing a closed area costs you a hefty fine. The river is dynamic in fall — water levels rise and fall with dam releases, and fish movement changes week to week. Staying current with closures and conditions is part of fishing the derby responsibly.

Getting Your License and Endorsement

You can buy a Washington fishing license online through the WDFW website, at any sporting goods store, or at most tackle shops along the Columbia. A one-year license costs less than $35 for residents. The Columbia River salmon endorsement is an add-on that costs around $10 and is required to fish for salmon on the main stem. You can buy both at the same time and have them in hand within minutes if you buy online.

If you are fishing from a boat, make sure your boat registration is current and you have a life jacket for each person on board — these are legal requirements, not suggestions. If you are fishing from the bank, wear a life jacket too; the Columbia is cold and fast, and people slip into the water every year. A good life jacket is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

Handling and Keeping Your Catch

Fall chinook and coho are strong fish and will fight hard when hooked. Keep your rod tip up and your line tight — a loose line is a lost fish. When you land a salmon, dispatch it quickly and humanely with a sharp blow to the head, then get it on ice or in a cooler with ice as soon as you can. A fresh salmon tastes better and keeps longer than one that has been sitting in the sun for hours.

If you plan to weigh your fish at a derby station, keep it whole and do not clean it before weighing. Once it is weighed and recorded, you can fillet it at home or have a local fish processor do it for you. Many tackle shops and restaurants along the river offer processing services if you do not want to do it yourself. A 20-pound fall chinook yields about 12 to 14 pounds of fillet — enough for several good meals and some to freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fish from a boat to win the derby?

No. The derby has separate prize categories for bank anglers and boat anglers, so you compete only against people fishing the same way. Many large fish are caught from the bank, especially in the deeper pools near Stevenson and Skamania. Bank fishing is also free — you do not pay for access or parking at most public areas along the river.

What is the difference between fall chinook and coho?

Fall chinook are larger (often 15 to 40 pounds) and darker as they move upriver. Coho are smaller (usually 8 to 15 pounds) and more silver. Both are good eating, but chinook have more meat. The derby awards prizes for both species, so either one can win you money.

Can I fish the derby if I have never caught a salmon before?

Yes. Many first-time anglers fish the derby every year. The best approach is to fish with someone who knows the river or hire a guide for a day. A guide will show you where to fish, what tackle to use, and how to land a salmon without losing it. Most guides charge $200 to $300 for a full day and will put you on fish.

What happens if the river closes during the derby?

If the WDFW closes a section of the river, you cannot fish there legally. Check the WDFW website before you go. If you have already caught a fish in an open section, you can still weigh it and enter it in the derby — the closure does not invalidate fish caught before the closure took effect.

How do I find tackle shops and weigh stations near the river?

The WDFW publishes a list of official weigh stations and tackle shops when the derby opens. You can also call the Skamania County Sheriff's Office or ask at any boat launch along Highway 14. Local shops like those in Stevenson and White Salmon can point you to the nearest weigh station and tell you what bait and tackle are working that week.