The US’s Pacific Northwest offers up a diverse variety of fishing opportunities. There’s a couple of big reasons, though, why angling aficionados flock to this location time after time. We’re talking about Salmon fishing in Oregon, of course. What’s even better, you can also go Steelhead fishing in Oregon at the same time!.
Oregon boasts an unbeatable combination of Steelhead and Salmon varieties almost year-round. Because they like to live in the same water, we’ve decided to talk about both of them in this guide. Oregon has everything you could want for an adventure. You could go after Chinook salmon along the Columbia River or fight “Silver Bullets” around the Bonneville Dam.
But before you go up to these fish and touch them, you might want to learn more about the species that live here and how to catch them. Let’s dive in….
A lot of people in Oregon love to fish for salmon, and they go to the state’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters to catch these valuable fish. But because there are different kinds of salmon and different runs at different times of the year, it can be hard to tell when the salmon are running in Oregon’s waters.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down Oregon’s salmon seasons to help you plan the perfect salmon fishing adventure.
Overview of Salmon Species in Oregon
Oregon is home to five species of Pacific salmon
- Chinook (also known as king salmon)
- Coho (also known as silver salmon)
- Chum
- Sockeye
- Pink
While all species can be found in Oregon, Chinook and Coho salmon are the most abundant and targeted by anglers.
Chinook Salmon Seasons
Chinook salmon runs occur in Oregon rivers from March through November. There are three distinct seasonal Chinook runs:
Spring Chinook
- Timeframe: March – June
- Peak: May – June
- Location: Lower Columbia River and Willamette River
- Average Size: 10-25 lbs
The spring Chinook run begins as early as March on the lower Columbia River. By May the run is in full swing with fish entering the Columbia and Willamette River systems. Springers average 10-25 lbs but fish over 40 lbs are caught each year.
Summer Chinook
- Timeframe: June – August
- Peak: July
- Location: Columbia River, coastal bays and estuaries
- Average Size: 15-30 lbs
Summer Chinook start arriving in June and the run peaks in July. Good summer Chinook fishing can be found in the Columbia River particularly around the Astoria area. The coastal bays and estuaries also see an influx of Chinook in early summer. These salmon average 15-30 lbs.
Fall Chinook
- Timeframe: August – November
- Peak: September – October
- Location: Columbia River, Willamette River, coastal rivers
- Average Size: 15-40 lbs
From late summer through fall, Chinook enter the Columbia River system and head upriver to spawn. The fall run extends through October and November in the Willamette River. The average size is 15-40 lbs.
Coho Salmon Seasons
- Timeframe: Late summer – winter
- Peak: September – November
- Location: Coastal rivers, Columbia River, Willamette River
- Average Size: 8-12 lbs
Coho salmon runs occur from late summer through winter in Oregon. Fishing peaks from September to November as the fish enter the Columbia River and migrate inland to spawn. Prime coho fishing can be found in coastal rivers like the Nehalem and Nestucca, as well as the lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Average size is 8-12 lbs.
Other Salmon Seasons
Chum – Very limited seasons exist for Chum salmon. The most consistent Chum opportunities are on the Columbia River in November.
Sockeye – Sockeye runs are extremely limited in Oregon. Anglers occasionally intersect with Sockeye in the Columbia River in July and August.
Pink – Sporadic Pink salmon runs occur in odd years. When found, Pinks are generally caught incidentally by anglers fishing for other salmon species.
Tips for Salmon Fishing Success
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Time your trip to match the peak of the target salmon run.
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Be mobile and cover water to find actively biting fish. Trolling with herring or salmon plugs is an effective technique.
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Use heavier tackle – 15-20 lb test line and rods in the 8-10 foot range – for powerful salmon.
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Fish early and late in the day when salmon are most actively feeding.
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Keep an eye on baitfish activity to pinpoint salmon location.
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Check regulations ahead of time and know season, size and bag limits.
With multiple species, seasonal runs and varied river systems, pinpointing when salmon are running in Oregon can be complex. This guide breaks down the general timeframes and peak months for targeting the state’s abundant Chinook and Coho salmon. Advance planning using this salmon run schedule will help you experience red-hot salmon fishing during your Oregon adventure.
Oregon Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Techniques
Now that you know more about Oregon’s large Salmon and Steelhead populations, you probably want to know, “How can I catch some?!” Before we talk about our favorite ways to fish in Oregon, it’s important to note that you can fish from a boat or on foot.
When you plan your trip, keep in mind that Oregon’s water is very big, whether you’re fishing in the rivers or the bays along the coast. Because of this, we’d generally recommend hopping aboard a local fishing charter. That way, you can chase Salmon and Steelies as much as you want by watching where they go and asking your experienced guide for help.
There is a good chance that you will be trolling for salmon no matter where you go fishing. This is by far the most popular way to catch salmon, and it’s easy to see why! Trolling means putting out several lines at once as you move along your chosen fishing area. That way, you’ll mimic the bait fish that these species are attracted to. It allows you to cover plenty of ground, too.
While trolling for both Coho and Chinook Salmon, herring is often used as bait to get them to bite. You can use cut bait or a whole fish topped with a spear-shaped bait clip. Both of these options allow for plenty of movement in the water, which attracts the attention of Salmon. If artificials are more your bag, trolling with spinners will do the job.
Opt for a longer rod when it comes to your setup, usually around 9–10 feet. It should be able to handle a lot of weight (just think of those June Hog Chinooks!). 12 to 20 ounces should be enough. Add a standard 30 lb monofilament line, or a 65 lb braided line if you prefer tougher tackle. Don’t forget to bring weights with you because salmon like to go deep, especially in bays.
Trolling for Steelies differs slightly from Salmon fishing. Planer boards are often used, which allow your lines to be spread out from the boat. Artificial lures are the name of the game here, with stickbaits and spoons being common. Finally, you’ll want to troll slowly, at a speed of around 2 knots. A rod that is a little lighter and shorter, about 8 1/2 feet long, with 8–12 lb test line is what you’ll need.
We mentioned above that casting is the most common way to fish for Steelhead in Oregon. This broad term includes any method of casting any kind of bait or artificial lure with a single-handed rod. It is also known as “bait casting.” There are, of course, a lot of different ways to understand it! This is how it looks in Oregon…
If you’re new to fishing or have never fought a Steelie, use a bobber with a weighted jig or bait. Tie your bobber below your bait of choice, then throw it into the water and let it drift with the flow. From there, keep a close eye on your bobber. If it shakes, dives, or stops moving, you’re ready to set the hook and reel in your catch.
You can also opt to cast a line with spinners. You can use this method whether you’re fishing in a bay or a river. Just throw your spinner slightly “upstream” and let it drift with the current before swinging it back toward the river or beach bank.
Finally, there’s a casting technique that does the trick for both species: plunking. Set up an 8–9′ extra-heavy rod paired with a 40–60 lb braided line for Salmon. A medium-heavy rod with an 8–12 lb test line works for Steelhead. Put in a three-way swivel. This will let you put your weight on one side and your lure or bait fish on the other. Your weight can be anywhere between 2–10 lb, regardless of your chosen species. From there, it’s time to cast a line and wait for the bite!.
Where can I go Salmon and Steelhead fishing in Oregon?
You can’t miss the fishing in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, and there’s also a lot of action in the many bays along the coast. Below, we’ve covered some of our favorite Salmon and Steelhead locations within these areas….
- Portland: Want to go fishing and take a break from the city at the same time? Go straight to Portland. This place is right where the Columbia and Willamette Rivers meet, and there are many charter boats to choose from. For people who want to fish on foot, there’s Kalley Point Park.
- An important reason why Oregon anglers come to Astoria is to enjoy the thrill of fishing at Buoy 10. There are a lot of Salmon in this area, especially big Chinooks, because it is right at the mouth of the Columbia River.
- For those who want to catch some tasty spring Chinook, Bonneville Dam is the place to go. That’s not all that’s on offer here, though. During the months of July through October, you might see Steelhead as they move through the Columbia River.
- Tillamook Bay: As far as salmon and steelhead fishing goes, Tillamook Bay is the best of Oregon’s many coastal bays. A lot of Chinook and Steelhead can be caught in this area, especially in the summer.
- Clackamas River: This river is often overlooked in favor of Oregon’s bigger rivers, but if you want to catch Steelhead in the winter, this is the place to be. The Clackamas River has these fish all the way from Cross Park to Eagle Creek. There are both hatchery and wild species to choose from.
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FAQ
What is salmon season in Oregon?
What time of year do salmon spawn in Oregon?
Where are salmon running in Oregon?
What time of year are salmon most active?
When does salmon season start in Oregon?
In April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopt additional salmon seasons for the new “salmon year” beginning May 16. Seasons from March 15 through May 15, 2024 from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. will be open as scheduled for all salmon except closed to coho.
Where can I find information on Oregon’s ocean salmon season?
Visit www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon’s ocean salmon seasons and fisheries. 2024 OCEAN SALMON PRESEASON PLANNING MEETING NOTICE: The meeting will be held in the OSU Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building on the Hatfield Marine Science Center’s campus in Newport, Oregon.
Are there salmon in Oregon in the fall?
Fall weather can make for rough water and harsh conditions but Siletz Bay and Siletz River are the more still of the bays dotting Oregon’s coast. Salmon run this system as well and they do so in the fall especially. Chinooks run rampant in the river running east but the Siletz River is on the smaller size.
Does the Willamette River have a spring salmon run?
2024 Update: See the current season forecasts for the Willamette River spring salmon run below. The Willamette River hosts one of Oregon’s best spring Chinook fisheries, with plenty of hatchery run salmon that allow anglers to bring some of the best-eating fish home. The salmon fishing starts in the Lower Willamette during the late winter.