What the Columbia River offers anglers

The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest by water volume, and it holds three fish that draw anglers from across the region: chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and white sturgeon. The river runs 1,243 miles from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific, but the section most anglers fish runs from the Cascade locks near Portland downstream to the mouth near Astoria. This stretch holds year-round opportunity, though the species and seasons shift dramatically.

The lower Columbia—from Bonneville Dam to the ocean—is where most visiting anglers spend their time. The river here is wide, tidal in places, and shaped by a series of dams that have created slack-water pools and fast current sections. Spring chinook arrive as early as March. Summer steelhead run through June and July. Fall chinook peak in September and October. Coho show up in late summer and hold through fall. Sturgeon are present year-round but most active in winter and early spring.

Key Takeaways

  • Spring chinook run March through May; summer steelhead June through July; fall chinook September through October; coho August through November; sturgeon December through April.
  • The lower Columbia from Bonneville Dam to Astoria is the most accessible section, with boat launches at Troutdale, Corbett, Cascade Locks, Hood River, The Dalles, and Longview.
  • Oregon and Washington require separate licenses and have different regulations—check the current rules for your side of the river before you fish.
  • Chinook and coho are caught by trolling plugs and spinners; steelhead by drifting roe or swinging spey flies; sturgeon by soaking roe on the bottom.
  • Winter weather and current can make the lower Columbia dangerous; a guide or experienced local is worth the cost on your first trip.

Spring chinook: March through May

Spring chinook enter the Columbia in March and move upriver through May. They are larger than fall chinook—often 30 to 50 pounds—and they hold in deeper pools below the dams. The best water is between Bonneville and The Dalles, where the current slows and the fish rest before pushing upstream.

Most anglers troll small plugs (Kwikfish, Flatfish) or spinners in sizes 1 and 2. The key is depth: spring chinook hold 20 to 40 feet down, so you need a boat with a depthfinder and the patience to adjust your trolling speed and line length until you are fishing the right zone. Boat launches at Troutdale and Corbett put you in the water quickly; from there, the run to the productive water below Bonneville is 45 minutes to an hour.

Spring chinook season is short and the run size varies year to year. Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) website before you go—some years the season opens on schedule; other years it opens late or closes early if the run is weak.

Summer steelhead: June through July

Summer steelhead are smaller than spring chinook—usually 8 to 14 pounds—but they are aggressive and acrobatic. They arrive in June and hold through July, concentrated in the fast water below the dams and in the tailouts of the big pools. The best fishing is often in the early morning and late evening when the water is cooler.

Steelhead are caught two ways on the lower Columbia: drifting roe in the fast water below Bonneville, and swinging spey flies in the same zones. Drifting is more productive for most anglers; you cast upstream and let the current carry your roe through the holding water. Spey swinging is a specialized technique that requires practice but can be deadly when the fish are aggressive.

Summer steelhead are wild fish in most of the lower Columbia, which means catch-and-release only. Hatchery steelhead are available in some sections; check the ODFW regulations for your specific launch point. The Cascade Locks area is a popular starting point, and guides operate out of Hood River and The Dalles.

Fall chinook: September through October

Fall chinook are smaller than spring fish—typically 15 to 35 pounds—but they arrive in large numbers and are less selective. The run peaks in September and October, and the fish spread throughout the lower river from Bonneville to the mouth. This is the most accessible season for anglers without a boat, because fall chinook hold in shallower water and can be caught from the bank in some locations.

Trolling remains the primary method, but fall chinook will also take spinners cast from the bank in the right locations. Longview, Washington, and the area around the Cowlitz River confluence hold good numbers of fall chinook. The Kalama River, a tributary that enters the Columbia near Longview, is a popular alternative if the main river is crowded or high water makes trolling difficult.

Fall chinook are hatchery fish in most of the lower Columbia, so you can keep them. Bag limits and size restrictions vary by section and year; the ODFW and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) websites list current rules for each zone.

Coho and sturgeon: August through April

Coho salmon arrive in August and hold through November. They are smaller than chinook—usually 8 to 12 pounds—and they are caught by trolling small plugs and spinners in the same zones as fall chinook. Coho are hatchery fish in the lower Columbia and can be kept; they are good eating and less oily than chinook.

White sturgeon are present year-round but most active in winter and early spring, December through April. They are bottom feeders that eat roe, shrimp, and dead fish. Sturgeon fishing is simple: cast a heavy sinker with roe on a short leader, set it on the bottom, and wait. The lower Columbia holds sturgeon from 3 feet to over 100 pounds; most fish caught are 15 to 40 pounds. Sturgeon have a minimum size of 38 inches and a maximum of 66 inches in most of the lower river, which means you must measure and release fish outside that window.

Sturgeon fishing requires patience and a good location. The slack water below the dams and the deeper pools hold the most fish. Winter weather can be severe, so dress for cold and wet conditions. Guides who specialize in sturgeon operate out of Longview and Astoria.

Boat launches and access points

The lower Columbia has public boat launches at regular intervals. From east to west: Troutdale (near Portland), Corbett, Cascade Locks, Hood River, The Dalles, Longview (Washington), and Astoria. Each launch serves different sections of the river and different seasons. Troutdale and Corbett are closest to Portland and best for spring chinook. Cascade Locks and Hood River are central and work for all species. Longview is the hub for fall chinook and sturgeon. Astoria is the westernmost launch and the closest to the ocean.

Launches vary in size and amenities. Some have fuel docks and tackle shops; others are bare concrete ramps. Call ahead or check the ODFW and WDFW websites for current conditions, fees, and hours. Winter weather can close launches or make them unsafe; always check before you drive.

Regulations and licenses

The Columbia River is the border between Oregon and Washington. If you fish from the Oregon bank or launch from an Oregon ramp, you need an Oregon license. If you fish from the Washington bank or launch from Washington, you need a Washington license. If you are in a boat in the middle of the river, you need a license from the state where you launched.

Regulations differ between states and change annually. Bag limits, size restrictions, and season dates are set by ODFW and WDFW separately. Before you fish, check both websites for the current rules in your section of the river. Guides and tackle shops in Astoria, Hood River, and Longview can answer questions about current regulations and conditions.

When to fish and what to expect

Spring (March through May) is chinook season and the most crowded time. The water is cold and high from snowmelt; expect rough conditions and dress for weather. Summer (June through July) is steelhead season and the best time for first-time visitors—the water is warmer, the days are long, and the fish are aggressive. Fall (September through October) is fall chinook season and the second-busiest time; the weather is unpredictable and can shift from warm to cold in hours.

Winter (December through April) is sturgeon season and the quietest time. The water is cold, the days are short, and the weather can be severe. Hypothermia is a real risk; wear a life jacket and a wetsuit or heavy rain gear. The reward is solitude and the chance at a large sturgeon.

The lower Columbia is a big, powerful river. Current can be swift, especially below the dams. Tides affect the lower 50 miles, and the water level can change several feet in an hour. If you are new to the river, hire a guide for your first trip. The cost is worth the education and the safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide to fish the Columbia?

No, but a guide is valuable on your first trip. The river is large, the current is strong, and the productive water changes with the season. A guide knows where the fish are holding and can teach you the techniques specific to the Columbia. Guides operate out of Hood River, The Dalles, Longview, and Astoria and charge between $300 and $500 per day for two anglers.

What is the best time to visit for a beginner?

Summer steelhead season (June and July) is the best time for a first visit. The water is warm, the days are long, the fish are aggressive, and the weather is most predictable. Spring chinook and fall chinook seasons are productive but more crowded and less forgiving of mistakes.

Can I fish from the bank?

Yes, but your options are limited. Fall chinook can be caught from the bank in some locations, particularly around Longview and near the Cowlitz River confluence. Steelhead can be caught from the bank below the dams if you know the right spots. Chinook trolling and sturgeon fishing require a boat. Ask at a local tackle shop for current bank-access locations.

What tackle do I need?

For trolling, a 7-foot medium-action rod, a multiplier reel, and 15- to 20-pound monofilament or braid. For steelhead drifting, a 9-foot rod and a centerpin or conventional reel. For sturgeon, a 7-foot rod and a conventional reel with heavy sinkers and roe. Most tackle shops in Hood River and Longview rent rods and can sell you the plugs, spinners, and roe you need.

What is the water temperature, and do I need a wetsuit?

Spring and fall water temperatures range from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter water is 40 to 45 degrees. A wetsuit or heavy rain gear is essential in winter and recommended in spring and fall. Hypothermia can set in quickly if you fall in or spend hours in cold spray. A life jacket is required by law and can save your life.