2025 KFNW / WKBF Tour Event 2

May 31 | Columbia River (Lake Umatilla), OR / WA

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KFNW Tour Event 2 - Lake Umatilla
Columbia River (Lake Umatilla)
The Columbia River at the mouth of the Umatilla River in Umatilla, Oregon.

The “Big C” is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and the fourth-largest river in the United States (in terms of amount of water). For this Tour Event, we’ll be focusing on the Lake Umatilla Pool, in-between the McNary and John Day Dams. This section of the river is nicknamed the big fish factory of the Pacific Northwest and runs about 110 river miles! Big, angry smallmouth are what this area is known for but don’t be too surprised to find big largemouth in certain locations.

The river in this section has current but since it is between two dams, current is typically mild to moderate. Some areas can have swifter current and eddies, so be careful and aware. Depth is variable throughout this pool, with a maximum depth of about 276 feet. Rock is the primary structure. Cover consists of rock, willows, reeds, and occasional wood laydowns. Forage includes crayfish, american shad, black and white crappie, sunfish, brown bullhead, channel catfish, northern pikeminnow, rainbow trout, and yellow perch.

Boundaries for this event feature approximately 48,737 acres of water and over 220 miles of shoreline.

Qualifier for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic

  • Top 10% of the field qualifies for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic on October 11-12 at Potholes Reservoir.

Last time we visited Lake Umatilla: September 9, 2023

We had 80 anglers and 500 fish were submitted. Joshua Dugger (Bonney Lake, WA) took first place with 95.25 inches of all smallmouth, including a 23 inch kicker. William Eschliman (Roseburg, OR) took second place with 91.75 inches of smallmouth and a 19.75 inch kicker. Will Harris (Scappoose, OR) took third place with 89 inches of smallmouth, and a 19 inch kicker. Big Bass of the day went to Joshua Dugger (Bonney Lake, WA), with a 23 inch smallmouth, the longest smallmouth in KFNW history at the time.

Tournament Schedule

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

  • Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM through Friday, May 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Official Practice Period

  • Saturday, May 24, 2025 through Friday, May 30, 2025
  • 5:00 AM – Practice Launch / Lines In
  • 2:00 PM – Practice Lines Out / Off the Water

Friday – May 30, 2025

  • 6:30 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | Three Rivers Tackle
  • 10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released

Saturday – May 31, 2025

  • 4:00 AM to 4:30 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie
    • Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
  • 4:25 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
  • 4:30 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
  • 5:00 AM – Lines In
  • 5:11 AM – Sunrise
  • 1:00:00 PM – Lines Out
  • 2:00:00 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water
    • Cell Service on Water: Spotty
    • Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.
  • 3:00 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | Umatilla Marina Park (tentative)
    Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

Pre-Event Briefing

Pre-Event Briefing Location

Pre-Event Briefing Details

  • Before the Pre-Event Briefing, a video will be published to go over specific details for this Tour Event. Certain rules may be discussed, but we will not review all the rules. It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and know all rules as published in the Rules Standard.
  • A signed hard copy of the Liability Release is required by all competitors for the season. A new Liability Release must be provided if any of the competitor’s information has changed (e.g. address, kayak, vehicle, license plate). You can download the Liability Release in advance and bring the completed form.
  • Certified bump board is required and board check will be performed. Boards should be clean and dry.
  • Competitors will have the opportunity to ask any questions before the meeting is adjourned.
  • Attendance at the Pre-Event Briefing is mandatory. If you can’t attend the meeting due to work or an unavoidable obligation, another angler can bring your Liability Release and bump board on your behalf. This is solely the responsibility of the two competitors and no exceptions will be given.

Location Details

Eligible Water Boundaries

  • Downstream Boundary: John Day Dam
  • Upstream Boundary: McNary Dam
  • Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
  • Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds
  • A Washington fishing license is required to access any creeks, rivers, sloughs, or tributaries on the Washington side
  • An Oregon fishing license is required to access any creeks, rivers, sloughs, or tributaries on the Oregon side
  • Portaging is not permitted
  • Only public waters are allowed

Designated Launch Locations

Awards Location

Safety Notes

  • An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.

KFNW Membership

Tournament Directors

Links

KFNW Membership
Liability Release
Rules Standard
Identifier Card

KAYAK FISHING NORTHWEST IS PRESENTED BY:

Diamond Parking
Diamond Self Storage
Native Watercraft