Modern Fishing Techniques

The major waterways in the Columbia basin have been transformed from giant, free-flowing rivers to a series of long lakes in the past 70 years. With this change of conditions has come a necessary change in the way that tribal fishers catch salmon. While tribal fishers still use ancient methods to harvest fish, they have adopted modern techniques that exploit these modern realities.

Set nets being monitored on the Columbia River.

Set nets (also called bag nets) are similar to the hoop nets that are used by platform fishers. They are essentially a large net bag, held open by a hoop. These nets are set out in the river with weights that are marked with floats. (These floats can be seen year round, as they are left with the weight, not the net.) When salmon swim through the hoop, they are trapped in the net. The fisher leaves the nets out for several hours and pulls them in his boat, along with any salmon that have been caught.

Gillnet fishing beneath the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks, Oregon.

Gillnet fishing involves nets ranging from 200 to 400 feet (60-120m) long. These nets are strung at strategic locations along the river. Gillnet mesh diameters are chosen to allow the head of a salmon to fit through, but not its body. When a salmon swims into a gillnet, its gills catch on the mesh, snaring it. Fishers then haul in the net, along with the salmon.

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Words of our Leaders

Our very existence depends on the respectful enjoyment of the Columbia Basin's land and water resources.

Nelson Wallulatum
Wasco Chief of the Warm Springs

Learn more

Treaty of 1855


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