Every February, two things happen at once for springer anglers: fishery managers release their run-size forecasts, and smart anglers start rigging. By the time the first Chinook counts appear at the dams in March, the prepared have already tied leaders and picked their opener weekends.
Fishing snapshot
The 2026 forecast cycle will land in late February through joint state announcements — expect a Willamette forecast near recent-year averages (forties-of-thousands) and mainstem seasons shaped around it. Whatever the exact numbers, the playbook holds: early fish are Willamette-bound and hit the lower river in March; the corridor peaks mid-April to early May; Bonneville passage builds late April into May. Rig now — anchor setups, spinner rods, and cured bait — so opening week is fishing time, not shopping time.
Best for: Columbia and Willamette basin anglers planning their spring around the strongest salmon fishery open to bank and boat.
Key takeaway: treat the forecast as a shape, not a promise. It sets expectations and season structure; the dam counts tell you when to actually go.
Reading a forecast like an angler
Forecasts arrive as adult-return numbers with age-class breakdowns. You don't need the biology — you need three translations:
- Forecast vs. recent average sets the mood: above average usually means longer retention seasons and more weekend options; below average means tighter windows and faster in-season adjustments.
- Age composition hints at size. More Age-5 fish = bigger average fish early; strong Age-4 classes build through April.
- Marked-fish share matters for limits. Retention is hatchery-marked fish; a forecast heavy on marked returns supports generous bag structures.
Then wait for the actual announcements (typically late February): opening dates, boundary lines, bag limits, and any gear notes. They're published jointly by WDFW and ODFW with full season details.
The season's likely shape
Based on the run's stable long-term rhythm:
| Window | Phase | Where it happens |
|---|---|---|
| March | First push | Lower Columbia banks; Willamette mouth |
| Late Mar–Apr | Corridor builds | Meldrum Bar, Portland banks, gorge |
| Mid-Apr–early May | Peak | Full Willamette + lower river overlap |
| Late Apr–May | Above Bonneville | Drano, Klickitat, wind events willing |
| May–Jun | Tributary phase | Fish keyed to home rivers |
The wildcard every year: in-season updates. If counts run hot, managers extend; if they lag, closures come early. Build plans that bend.
The pre-season rigging list
Do this in February, not during the first warm Saturday:
Anchor/bait setup
- Two rod-ready anchor outfits: 9'6"+ rods, level-wind reels spooled with fresh 50–65 lb braid.
- New leader material (25–40 lb), three-way swivels, spreaders, and a weight selection from 3 to 10 oz.
- Divers and Kwikfish/flatfish in working condition — replace bent hooks and faded wraps now.
- Bait plan: who cures eggs, when, and where brine comes from. Fresh sardine/anchovy wraps need a source too.
Spinner/plunking setup
- No. 5–6 spinners restocked in chartreuse/silver/copper.
- Plunking rods rigged: sliders, beads, Spin-N-Glos, hooks snelled ahead of time.
Boat or bank logistics
- License + punch card current for 2026 (buy before the first trip).
- Rope, anchor, and buoy inspected; net patched.
- Cooler, ice plan, and fish-processing knife sharpened.
- Regs bookmarked on your phone — boundaries change annually.
Watching the counts
Once April arrives, the daily ritual takes five minutes:
- Bonneville counts (Columbia River DART site) post daily adult Chinook passage — watch the trend across a week, not one day.
- Willamette Falls counts track corridor-bound fish later into spring.
- When counts climb for several consecutive days, that's your green light — fish are moving, and fresh fish are catchable wherever your access point sits on the migration path.
Pair counts with weather: a stable or dropping river after rain beats a rising dirty one every time. The best days of the whole season are often the second day of clearing water.
Sources Checked
- WDFW/ODFW annual spring Chinook joint staff reports — forecast process, age structure, season-setting mechanics.
- Columbia River DART adult passage data — count timing patterns.
- Prior-year joint season announcements — typical structure and adjustment behavior.