Spring Chinook are starting to push into the Umatilla River. While it is still early in the run, the number of spring chinook to reach Three Mile Falls dam is about double the five-year average. Anglers have found success float fishing with eggs and/or sand shrimp on the lower river. As a reminder, hatchery steelhead retention closed May 1 and spring Chinook retention opened April 16th.

There is now a new regulation in place with a hook gap size that may not exceed 3/8 inch in the section of the Umatilla River above the CTUIR reservation. This new regulation is to protect bull trout and decrease the chance of hooking mortality. As a reminder, if you catch a bull trout, recognized by its white spots, please keep it in the water and release it as quickly as possible. No targeting of bull trout is allowed in the Umatilla River.