Lance Fisher Fishing | Portland, Oregon
8885 SW Canyon Rd. #127
Portland, Oregon 97225
Portland Fishing – Guided Fishing Trips and Fishing Charters
Salmon, sturgeon, and steelhead opportunities make Portland one of the more unique cities in the world when it comes to world-class fishing. Located at the junction of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, and in close proximity to the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast, there are multiple options when it comes to a day of Portland fishing. The mighty Columbia is fed by multiple tributaries, including the Willamette River, Clackamas River, and Lewis River. These rivers become an angler’s paradise, providing local fishing opportunities throughout the year. There aren’t many cities that can offer salmon, steelhead, and/or sturgeon fishing experiences for the majority of the calendar year, and it’s one of the reasons I love living here. For more information about what our customers think about fishing with us in Portland, please check out our reviews.
Below you will find summaries for the salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon fishing we do out of the Portland/Vancouver area. Have a look at the various options and don’t hesitate to contact us. There’s a lot of information to digest and we’re here to help guide you through the process of selecting your perfect fishing trip, even guiding you towards things to do (check out the FAQ’s) when you’re in the area! Call us or contact us through our Questions and Reservations form.
Current Portland Fishing Report and Updates:
May 19th, 2026: Today ODFW/WDFW extended the Columbia River Spring Chinook salmon season. In the Portland area we’ll be able to retain salmon May 22nd-25th. That gives us all of Memorial Day weekend to target Columbia River salmon.
May 1st, 2026: We are currently in the middle of our Spring Chinook season in the Portland area. Springers, as they are called by locals, are our first chance to chase salmon each year and everyone looks forward to spring days on the water. We’ll be targeting Springers all April and May, possibly into June, in the Portland area.
March 1st, 2026: Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing on the Willamette River offers some great fishing opportunities for the next several months. We started fishing last November and boy did it start with a bang! Check out the video we posted on Facebook of a very energetic sturgeon from then. We even had group of 4 wrangle about 40 sturgeon to the boat. Talk about some action-packed fishing! We’ll be chasing monster fish in the Portland area through May, so now is the perfect time to get a trip on the books.
Portland Salmon Fishing
Portland boasts several salmon runs each year, beginning with the Spring Chinook Salmon run. We begin running guided fishing trips in mid-March. ODFW and WDFW give us a short season on the Columbia River, and we continue fishing through May, sometimes even into June, on the Willamette River. Spring Chinook, also known as King Salmon, are the most prized of all of the salmon and anglers are anxious to take advantage of spring days on the rivers.
Summertime brings sockeye and chinook salmon, which are often found in the same areas of the Columbia River as our summer steelhead. Although smaller than the spring chinook, steelhead have delicious red fillets and can make for a fun day on the river as they put up a good fight. Sometimes we can chase both steelhead and salmon during our during our summer trips.
The fall fishing season brings Coho Salmon, also known as Silvers, as well as Chinook Salmon to the area. Portland can be beautiful in the fall, with the weather often remaining moderate through September, making it a great time to get out on the water for some choice salmon fishing.
Portland Steelhead Fishing
While steelhead may appear similar to salmon, they are actually rainbow trout that have made the run to the ocean and back. The Portland area boasts 2 steelhead seasons. Summer steelhead average 6 – 12 lbs, while winter steelhead average 8 – 12 lbs. Depending on the season, we offer guided fishing trips for steelhead on the Clackamas, Columbia, Sandy, Cowlitz, and Lewis Rivers. Although steelhead can be a little easier to hook than salmon, they can put up quite a fight when it comes to getting them into the net. Steelhead fishing is an active fishery, with a lot of hands-on experience during the day.
Portland Sturgeon Fishing
Sturgeon are prehistoric looking fish that scrounge the depths of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers as bottom-feeders. They can grow up to 12 feet in length, often reaching 150 years of age. Sturgeon fishing in the Portland area takes place from November through May, and provides some action-packed days on the water. Summer months are spent chasing trophy sturgeon in Astoria. There’s nothing in the world like wrestling an oversized sturgeon, and that’s why many have this fishery on their bucket list. In the spring we even offer combination trips, providing the opportunity to catch some fresh spring salmon while also battling sturgeon during the day. Anglers of all ages and ability levels enjoy wrangling sturgeon on our guided fishing trips. This trip can make for an epic birthday experience.
Columbia River Gorge Fishing
Located just a short drive east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is a must-see when you’re visiting the area. In addition to incredible fishing opportunities, it’s also known world-wide for its windsurfing, and numerous waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. We fish for both salmon and sturgeon in the Columbia River Gorge, launching near Hood River or The Dalles.
Frequently Asked Fishing Questions When Fishing Portland:
What types of fishing can you do in Portland?
Portland offers opportunities to fish for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon. We have options throughout the entire year.
When is the best time to fish in Portland?
That depends on which species you would like to target.
Mid-March – October: Salmon
January – March and June-July: Steelhead
November – May: Catch-and-release Sturgeon
How much do guided fishing trips cost?
We have a variety of fishing trip options to choose from and we personally book each trip so we can answer questions and help you find just the right trip. Our pricing depends on whether you prefer a shared or private trip and what you’re fishing for. We have options for all budgets.
What safety gear do you have?
We take your safety very seriously. We carry Type I life jackets onboard and have adults wear lightweight, auto-inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) to make sure you’re comfortable and safe.
How much does a fishing license cost? Do we need tags as well?
Both Oregon and Washington fishing licenses can be used on the Columbia River, while Washington licenses are required for the Lewis River, and Oregon licenses are needed for the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers. Day licenses for either state run about $25 per person, and we’ll let you know exactly which licenses are needed for your trip.
Oregon Day Licenses can be purchased online and include your salmon/steelhead/sturgeon tag. Be sure to add the Columbia River Endorsement before you check out. We’ll include all of the details regarding licenses in your trip confirmation email.
Do you provide the fishing gear, tackle, and bait?
Yes, we do! Everything you need to fish, from top-notch rods and reels to tackle and bait, is provided for you to use during your guided fishing trip with us. Lance has been a G. Loomis and Shimano Pro Staffer for over 12 years. We’ll even clean and filet your catch at the end of your trip!
What do we need to bring?
We provide all of the necessary fishing equipment, tackle and bait. All you need to bring is yourself, dressed in appropriate clothing for possible conditions (layers are always good), your fishing license, and whatever you would like to eat/drink for the day. All of the details will be in your trip confirmation email, which we’ll send out once you book your trip.
Can kids fish?
Certainly! Fishing is a sport enjoyed by all ages, and the more the merrier. Kids can be quick to pick up on the motion of fishing, and by the end of your trip the kids may be teaching you a thing or two. A guided fishing trip allows you to simply enjoy the day with your kids or grandkids, while leaving all of the details to us. Just let us know how old your kids are and we’ll show you the best options available.
We’re from out of town. Where should we stay?
Portland is full of great places to stay, whether you prefer the larger chains or the smaller boutique hotels. Some people love the hustle and bustle of downtown while others prefer staying in one of Portland’s suburbs or closer to the Columbia River Gorge. If you’re planning to fish on the Lewis River, you may decide to stay in Vancouver. No matter where you chose to stay, a short drive will get you to your launch location the morning of your trip.
What is there to see/do in the Portland area?
There are numerous things to do while you’re visiting Portland. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls – including Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Latourell Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls
- International Rose Test Garden – the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, featuring more than 10,000 roses
- The Oregon Zoo – showcasing Elephant Lands, Stellar Cove, Predators of the Serengeti, and Birds of Prey
- Powell’s City of Books – largest independent bookstore in the world with over a million books
- Portland Japanese Garden – proclaimed to be the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan
- City Parks – including…
- Mill Ends Park, the world’s smallest park and Forest Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area – the only Oregon state park within a major metropolitan area
- Portland Saturday Market – the largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market in the country
How do we book our trip?
Give us a call or use our Questions and Reservations button. We’ll help guide you through your options, answer any questions, and help get you set for the fishing trip that is perfect for you. A deposit is all that’s needed to hold your date. We’ll send you a trip confirmation email with all of the details. The hardest part of the process is probably waiting for your fishing day to arrive. 🙂
We’re always happy to help. Let us know if you have questions or would like to book a trip.
Are you interested other fishing possibilities? Visit our locations in Astoria, Oregon and Newport, Oregon. You can also see our fishing trips throughout Oregon and Washington.
Google Reviews for Lance Fisher Fishing Portland
All I have to say is wow. Lance is an awesome guide, very friendly and professional. This was my first time Salmon fishing and Lance made me feel like I knew what I was doing in just a few minutes. Everybody on the boat went home with Salmon, and I caught the biggest fish of my life. We caught our limit and am pretty sure many other boats did not. Great time. You cannot go wrong with Lance Fisher Fishing.
— Richard Breedlove
What great time on the river. Lance is not just another guide who has a top of the line boat and gear, he also deliver! I was super impressed when there was vary little hook up’s around us as we went on to catch our limit. I will now only book my trips with Lance Fisher Fishing.
— Michael Olsen