Fishing for steelhead will remain closed into next year for the mainstem Columbia River from The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon-Washington border and in all or parts of several mid-Columbia tributaries, including the Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, and Walla Walla River in Oregon to protect the summer steelhead return that includes ESA-listed fish.  Summer steelhead from 2021’s record low upriver run remain present in the mainstem Columbia and tributaries above The Dalles Dam.  The passage of approximately 67,750 fish at Bonneville Dam this year was 70 percent of the forecast and the lowest return on record.  The extended closure is meant to protect this run of fish that started entering the Columbia River in July 2021 and passed Bonneville Dam through October.  These fish are still making their way through the river system to the upper Columbia, Snake River and tributaries.  While recent summer steelhead returns have been poor, there are hopeful signs that conditions for salmon and steelhead may improve in the Columbia Basin in coming years.  The Pacific Northwest is in a La Nina cycle this season.  That means cooler ocean temperatures and more rain and snow that may help alleviate the drought and improve habitat conditions for salmon and steelhead.