Columbia run counts lag as fall approaches
Fish counts above Bonneville Dam are the smallest ever recorded for this point in the season, with just over 52,000 fish tallied since counting began July 1, according to Hatch Magazine. For Columbia anglers, that thin run is the number to plan around this week, not an expected fall surge.
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Nothing in this intel points to a fish surge over the next two or three days, so expect the Columbia to stay quiet. The clearest signal to watch is the Bonneville count. A sustained rise in daily counts would be the first sign the fall run is building. Check local shop posts before committing to a long drive, and look for state agency notices on daily limits and seasons before you fish.
Context
Early October typically marks the shift from summer to fall on the Columbia, when cooling water and changing flows start moving fish into new holding water. A record-low count points to run size rather than timing, so fishing will likely depend on which fish are present. Check state regs before harvesting, since seasons and limits change through the year.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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