What the Lewis and Clark River offers anglers

The Lewis and Clark River is a short, tidal system that drains into the Columbia River just east of Astoria, and it holds winter steelhead, fall chinook, and coho salmon in the same water column. The lower river—roughly the first eight miles from the mouth—is tidewater, meaning the water level and current reverse twice daily, and you fish it differently than you would a flowing stream. The upper river above the tide line runs faster and clearer, but holds fewer fish and requires a longer drive from town. Most visiting anglers fish the lower tidal section because the fish stack up there, the access is easier, and the timing is more forgiving.

Winter steelhead arrive from December through March, with peak numbers in January and February. Fall chinook show up in September and October, and coho follow in October and November. The river is small enough that a single good rain can color the water for days, and low water in summer makes the upper reaches nearly unfishable. Spring and summer are slow; most anglers who fish here year-round focus on winter and fall.

Key Takeaways

  • The lower Lewis and Clark is tidewater, so current direction and water level change every six hours, and you must time your fishing to slack water or the incoming tide when fish are most active.
  • Winter steelhead (December–March) and fall chinook (September–October) are the primary targets, and both respond well to small spinners, spoons, and drifted roe in the deeper holes near the mouth.
  • Access is concentrated at boat ramps and pullouts near Westport and Brownsmead, and most productive water is within a short drive of Astoria.
  • The river is narrow and brushy, so casting room is limited and you will often fish from a boat or wade the edges during low tide.
  • Water color changes quickly after rain, and the best fishing window is often 24 to 48 hours after a storm when the river is dropping but still carrying color.

Tidewater fishing: reading the current and the clock

The lower Lewis and Clark responds to tide tables, not just weather. When the tide is incoming, water pushes upriver and fish move into the shallower margins and side channels to feed. When the tide is outgoing, fish retreat to the deeper holes and channels, and the current becomes too fast to fish effectively. Slack water—the 20 to 40 minutes when the tide turns—is when fish feed most aggressively because they do not have to fight current to hold position.

Check the tide table for Astoria before you fish. Plan to arrive at the river one hour before slack water so you can position yourself in a productive hole. The best holes are where the main channel narrows, where a side channel meets the main stem, and where current breaks around a point or log jam. During incoming tide, fish the shallow flats and the edges of the channel. During outgoing tide, focus on the deepest holes and the inside bends where current slows.

Water temperature matters less here than it does in mountain streams because the tidewater stays relatively stable. Winter steelhead will bite in 38-degree water; fall chinook bite in 50-degree water. The real variable is water clarity. Clear water (you can see two to three feet down) means fish are spooky and you need smaller lures and lighter line. Stained water (visibility one foot or less) means fish are less cautious and will chase larger, brighter lures.

Tackle and technique for steelhead and salmon

Most anglers on the Lewis and Clark use spinning gear in the 6.5- to 7-foot range with 8- to 12-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon. Baitcasters work too, but the narrow river and overhanging brush make spinning easier. For steelhead, small spinners (size 1 or 2 Mepps or Panther Martins) and quarter-ounce spoons (Croix or Crippled Herring patterns) are standard. Cast upstream and across, let the lure swing and tumble in the current, and work it back slowly. Steelhead often hit on the swing, so keep your rod tip up and stay in contact with the lure.

Drifting roe is also effective, especially during the first week after a rain when the water is still carrying color. Use a small split shot 18 inches above a size 6 or 8 hook, and drift the roe through the deeper holes. Keep your line relatively tight so you feel the take immediately. Steelhead often mouth the bait before committing, and a quick set makes the difference between a hooked fish and a missed one.

Fall chinook and coho are less selective than steelhead and will chase larger, flashier lures. Use half-ounce to one-ounce spoons in silver or chartreuse, or cast small plugs like Wiggle Warts and Kwikfish. Chinook bite harder than steelhead and often hook themselves, so you can use slightly heavier line (12 to 15 pounds) without losing bites. Coho are faster and more acrobatic; they often jump immediately after the hook sets, so keep your drag set to slip slightly if a fish makes a hard run.

Where to fish: access points and productive water

The main public access is at the Westport boat ramp, located on Highway 30 about 12 miles east of Astoria. This ramp is concrete, well-maintained, and has parking for 20 to 30 vehicles. From here you can launch a small drift boat or jet sled and fish the lower river down to the mouth. The ramp is free, but it gets crowded on weekends during steelhead season.

Brownsmead, another small community about 15 miles east of Astoria, has a smaller ramp and several pullouts where you can wade or fish from the bank. The water near Brownsmead is slightly faster and clearer than the lower tidewater, and it holds fewer fish but is less crowded. If you do not have a boat, Brownsmead is a better option because you can access the river on foot.

The most productive water is the first three miles below Westport, where the river is deepest and fish concentrate before moving upriver on the incoming tide. The holes near the old pilings and the inside bends hold fish consistently. Above Brownsmead, the river becomes narrower and faster, and the fish are more scattered. Bank access is limited above Brownsmead, and most anglers who fish there use a boat.

Seasonal timing and water conditions

Winter steelhead fishing peaks in January and February when water temperatures drop and fish are most aggressive. December can be good if the river has had recent rain; March fishing is slower but still worth trying if you are in the area. The river rarely gets too cold to fish, but it does get too high. After a heavy rain, wait 24 to 48 hours for the water to drop and clear slightly before fishing. If the river is chocolate-colored and running fast, the fish are not feeding and you will waste your time.

Fall chinook arrive in early September and peak in September and October. They are less affected by water clarity than steelhead and will bite in stained water. Coho follow in October and November and are the most aggressive of the three species; they will chase lures in fast water and low light. By November, water temperatures are dropping and steelhead are beginning to show, so late fall is a transition period when you might catch all three species in a single day.

Summer and spring are slow. The river warms, water levels drop, and fish move into the deeper holes and hold tight. If you fish in June or July, focus on the deepest holes near the mouth and fish early morning and late evening when the water is coolest. Most visiting anglers skip the summer entirely and return in September when the fall run begins.

Regulations and licensing

Oregon requires a valid fishing license for anyone 12 and older. You can purchase a one-day license online through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website or at most sporting goods stores in Astoria. The Lewis and Clark is open year-round for steelhead, but there are seasonal closures for chinook and coho that change annually. Check the current regulations before you fish; the ODFW website lists specific dates and any gear restrictions for each species.

Catch limits vary by species and season. Winter steelhead typically have a one-fish daily limit, and chinook and coho limits depend on the run strength that year. Some years the river is open for chinook; other years it is closed to protect weak runs. The ODFW updates these rules every fall, so do not assume last year's rules apply this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish the Lewis and Clark?

No, but a boat gives you access to more water and lets you fish the most productive holes. If you do not have a boat, fish from the bank at Brownsmead or hire a guide who has one. Bank fishing is slower but still productive during slack water and the incoming tide.

What is the best time of year to visit?

January through March for steelhead, and September through October for chinook and coho. Winter steelhead are larger and more abundant than fall fish, but the weather is colder and the days are shorter. Fall fishing is warmer and the coho are aggressive, but the river is more crowded on weekends.

How far is the Lewis and Clark from Astoria?

The Westport boat ramp is about 12 miles east of downtown Astoria on Highway 30, roughly a 20-minute drive. Brownsmead is another three miles upriver. Both are close enough for a half-day trip if you are staying in Astoria.

What should I do if the river is too high or too stained to fish?

Wait 24 to 48 hours for the water to drop and clear. If you cannot wait, fish the upper river above the tide line where the current is slower and fish are more concentrated, or drive to a different river system that may have clearer water.

Can I fish for steelhead and chinook at the same time?

Yes, they overlap in September and October. Use a medium-sized spoon or spinner that appeals to both species, or fish two rods with different lures. Chinook are more aggressive and will usually take first, but steelhead will bite the same lures if the water is cool enough.