Best Time for Columbia River Salmon Fishing: Spring, Summer and Fall
Which month is best for Columbia River Chinook: how the spring, summer and fall runs differ, what moves the timing and how to pick your date.
How to Catch More Salmon in the Columbia River: A Practical Guide
Most missed salmon come down to the same few things: wrong place, wrong time or wrong depth. These are the habits that change the odds.
Fish the run, not the date
Salmon move in waves. Learn which run is in the river, then fish the stretch it is using. Our best time for salmon post and the seasons and runs page show the windows.
Read the water
- Look for current seams, edges and drop-offs where fish rest.
- In strong current, fish hold in softer water along the edges.
- After rain or a flow change, expect fish to move and re-set.
Keep your presentation honest
- Depth. A lure that is a few feet off the fish catches nothing. Adjust until you find the layer.
- Colour. Natural colours in clear water, brighter in stained water.
- Speed. Slow when it is cold, a bit faster when fish are active.
- Sharp hooks. Check them often. It is the cheapest fix.
Common mistakes
- Staying on a spot that is not producing.
- Fishing too fast or too shallow in cold water.
- Heavy line and old gear that spooks fish.
- Ignoring the light. Early and late are best.
Why guided trips catch more
A guide has the recent information: where fish were yesterday, what they hit and at what depth. On our trips, rods and tackle are provided and the guide handles the boat, which leaves you free to fish. See salmon fishing trips, trip rates and reserve a date.
Questions anglers ask
What is the best season for salmon fishing on the Columbia?
Spring, summer and fall each have a run. Fall is often the most reliable. See our month-by-month guide.
Is trolling effective for salmon?
Yes. Trolling covers water, gets lures to the right depth and is the most common way to find Chinook.
Should beginners hire a guide?
It is the fastest way to learn. A guide handles the boat, sets up the gear and shows you what to do.
Keep reading
More from the river
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Hanford Reach Salmon Fishing: Seasons, Techniques and What to Expect
When fall Chinook run the Hanford Reach, how guides fish them and what to plan for. A local guide to the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia.
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Salmon vs Sturgeon Fishing: Which Columbia River Trip Is Best?
Salmon or sturgeon on the Columbia? How the two trips differ in pace, season, skill and size, and which one fits you, your group or your first trip.
