The two-rod validation will not be available for the Willamette River in 2026 as the forecast for hatchery-origin adult fish does not meet the minimum return threshold.
The 2026 Columbia River spring-summer forecast anticipates 43,700 adult Willamette-origin spring Chinook will return to the mouth of the Columbia River. Of the total adult return, approximately 32,000 are expected to be hatchery-origin fish. A minimum return of 34,000 adult hatchery fish is typically needed to collect enough broodstock for future releases. In 2025, the return to the Willamette was 50,527 fish.
“Usually less than 40% of hatchery-origin spring Chinook that reach the Columbia River mouth make it to upper Willamette Basin hatcheries,” said John North, ODFW Deputy Fish Division Administrator. “To meet our total adult hatchery-origin broodstock goal of 14,000 fish, we need approximately 34,000 adult hatchery fish at the mouth of the Columbia River.”
“The two-rod license is popular with anglers so while we would like to offer it every year, our first priority is to make sure we meet our broodstock needs to maintain hatchery releases,” continued North. “We also want to be transparent and let anglers planning next year’s fishing trips know as early as possible if it will be available.”
When fishery managers implemented the 34,000 threshold in 2024, they expected the forecast would meet it in 12 out of 15 years.
The 2026 total forecast for Columbia River spring chinook is 222,300 fish. The actual 2025 return was 245,379 fish.
The 2026 return of upper Columbia River spring chinook is 16,300 fish, compared to a 2025 return of 22,193 fish.
For Snake River spring/summer chinook the 2026 forecast is 61,600 fish, compared to a return of 82,973 in 2025.
Anglers should always check for any in-season changes to permanent regulations by visiting the Recreation Report / Fishing Report for their zone and clicking the Regulation Updates tab.