LivewellOregon · River
Lower Columbia River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lower Columbia River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
Oregon also has statewide guidance
Oregon publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 4 recommendations covering 2 species — in addition to anything listed for Lower Columbia River below.
Strictest statewide rule: Largemouth Bass — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Lower Columbia River
White Sturgeon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Lower Columbia River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Oregon's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 8" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Cutthroat Trout | 8" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brown Trout | 8" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brook Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bull Trout | — | 0 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Kokanee | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Mountain Whitefish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Trout | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Sturgeon | — | 0 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Oregon — Oregon ODFW zone-default