Columbia River Salmon Fishing

UPDATE: 2023 Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Season Set

ODFW and WDFW just announced the details for the 2023 Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon season. Retention is allowed from the Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock from March 1st – April 7th. The daily limit is two adult adipose fin-clipped salmonids (Chinook or Steelhead), only one of which may be a Chinook. Retention will also be allowed from the Tower Island Power lines upstream to the Oregon/Washington border from April 1st – May 6th. The same daily catch limits apply as in the lower river. We’re excited to get out and chase Springers on the Columbia during the short season, followed by some good looking months of Springer fishing on the Willamette River. It should be fun season.

2023 Columbia River Spring and Summer Preseason Forecasts

Fishery managers for the Columbia River announced the 2023 spring and summer salmon preseason forecasts. This year’s Columbia River Spring Chinook forecast of over 300,000 fish, which is higher than the 2022 actual count of almost 275,000 fish. You know what that means…more fish for us to chase on the Columbia and its tributaries, like the Willamette, this coming spring. The preseason 2023 summer Columbia River Chinook forecast is almost 85,000. Add in the 2023 preliminary forecast for about 230,000 sockeye, and you have the makings for some memorable combination trips during June and July. Feel free to check out all of the details on the ODFW page. I’m already looking forward to Spring Chinook fishing!

Whether it’s Chinook or Sockeye that you find tugging on the end of your line, you’re sure to be in for a memorable experience fishing for spring or summer salmon on the Columbia River.

Columbia River Salmon Fishing is some of the best Salmon fishing in the world. We spend our time fishing from The Dalles to the mouth of the river in the Astoria/Ilwaco area. This 160+ mile stretch of river boasts Spring, Summer, and Fall Salmon runs. Essentially, there are Salmon in this stretch of the Columbia River from March through October.

The year starts with the arrival of the Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon in March. These fish are known as the best eaters of any Salmon in the world. I know this sounds a little like I’m rooting a little too much for the home team, but tests have shown that the fat content in Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon is 7-10 times greater than that of other runs of Salmon. These fish regularly go for $25-$35 per pound in the Portland area. I can’t imagine what they would cost in Chicago. Check out the options below and let me know how I can help you set up your trip.

• Columbia River Spring Chinook March-April
• Columbia River Summer Chinook June-July
• Columbia River Fall Chinook…Buoy 10 August-September
• Columbia River Fall…Portland Area Upriver Brights September
• Columbia River Fall Chinook….Bonneville Dam September-October
• Columbia River Fall Chinook at the mouth of the Klickitat River September-October

For any questions you might have, or to simply book a trip, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help in any way we can.