Oregon · Washington · Spring, summer and fall Chinook
Columbia River salmon fishing for big Chinook, from the spring run through fall, from a fully enclosed, heated boat.
The fishery
Millions of salmon come back to the Columbia every year, which gives anglers a run to fish for through much of the year.
Chinook, also called kings, are the largest salmon in the river and average about 22 pounds. They are fish people talk about for a long time.
When a season closes in one stretch, guides move upstream and keep fishing ahead of the fish.
When to fish
Spring, summer and fall each have their own window. The bars show them by name, and what else is running beside them.
October: Salmon is in season, alongside Walleye, Sturgeon (fall–winter), Steelhead (fall–winter).
| Species | Window | Typical months | Fishing now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Year-round | All year | Yes |
| Sturgeon | Keeper | January to March | No |
| Sturgeon | Spring | April to May | No |
| Sturgeon | Oversize | June to August | No |
| Sturgeon | Fall–winter | September to December | Yes |
| Salmon | Spring | April to May | No |
| Salmon | Summer | June to July | No |
| Salmon | Fall | August to October | Yes |
| Steelhead | Winter | January to March | No |
| Steelhead | Fall–winter | September to December | Yes |
| Shad | Run | June to July | No |
The three runs
Each run has its own water, its own fish and its own tactics. Pick the one that suits you, and your guide handles the rest.
Spring
Cold water, fast fish.
In the coolest water of the year the salmon move quickly upriver toward their spawning grounds, and most of them go into the Snake River. Fishing starts near Longview and follows the run upstream.
Mid June to mid July
The June hogs.
Mixed in with the last of the spring fish, these are the June hogs, and many are over 40 pounds. The river warms fast, and once the water passes 60 degrees catch rates drop.
August to October
The prize.
The biggest, hardest-fighting salmon of the year. More than a million fish head upriver, most of them to the Hanford Reach, a free-flowing stretch of about 40 miles near the Tri-Cities where hundreds of thousands lay.
Experienced anglers change baits and tactics with the river, sometimes from one day to the next. On our boats your guide does that for you.
Trips and rates
Three ways to spend a day on the water. Rods and tackle are included on every trip.
Salmon or walleye
A full day on the water after salmon or walleye. Rods and tackle included.
$225 per person
Two species in one day
Two kinds of fish in one day, so you cover more water. Rods and tackle included.
$250 per person
Walleye, sturgeon or salmon
A shorter outing on the river. Rods and tackle included.
$500 for the whole boat, up to 4 people
$200 each for two anglers
Salmon catches
Salmon questions
Short answers to what people ask us most about salmon.
Still unsure? Call or text (541) 357-6577
Plan the trip
Field notes
The longer version, for anglers who like the detail. You do not need any of it to fish with us: the tackle and the know-how are ours.
Chinook salmon, called kings, are the largest salmon in the Columbia. They average about 22 pounds, and fish of 40 pounds and more are caught from boats and from the bank.
Millions of salmon return to the river each year, which gives anglers the chance to fish for them across many months. They are also excellent eating fish.
With the coolest water of the year, spring salmon move fast toward their spawning grounds, and most of them turn up the Snake River. Fishing starts in the narrows near Longview, Washington, and follows the run upstream. It is also very good around Bonneville, The Dalles Dam, John Day Dam and McNary Dam.
Because of the Endangered Species Act this is the most regulated run of the year. State fish and wildlife agencies watch the returns closely, and the season can close unexpectedly when returns are low or catch rates are high. Guides move upstream to stay ahead of closures, and we plan our spring dates around them.
Mixed with late spring fish, these are the June hogs, and many are over 40 pounds. The season opens when the state agencies open it, around the middle of June, and runs to the middle of July.
Early in the season the flows are still good, but the river heats up quickly. Once the water is over 60 degrees, catch rates are slow. Experience shows in the tackle: one day a plug like a mag lip, the next a smaller spin-n-glow when the flow drops, and wobblers in still water. Be on the water before the sun is up and fish until noon for the best chance.
The fall Chinook is the prized fish of the sport angler: the biggest and hardest-fighting salmon. The Columbia fall runs have flourished, with counts running over a million fish, all headed upstream to the Hanford Reach to find a gravel bar to spawn on.
The fishery starts in August at Astoria, Oregon, and the fish move upstream in late August. Anglers use many baits and techniques, and what works can change every 30 miles with the flows and water temperature. Most of the fish end up in the Hanford Reach, a 40-mile stretch near the Tri-Cities. The run can be fished into late October.
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Questions about your trip? Call or text (541) 357-6577.
