Best Fishing Trips and Top Fishing Guides in Portland Oregon
Fishing in Portland.
Fishing in Portland, Oregon is ideal for freshwater enthusiasts. With a wide variety of top fishing opportunities, the city of Portland is renowned for its continuous stock of several fish species including steelhead, sturgeon, and salmon.
Best Fishing Spots in Portland
Portland is home to a range of top fishing rivers such as the Willamette and Columbia rivers, which are known as some of the best fishing grounds in the state. You can also check out the Sandy, Columbia, Nestucca, and Clackamas rivers, or head to another popular Portland fishing ground known as the Cowlitz River, which is located between Portland and Seattle.
Species in Portland
Salmon is prominent in several rivers in Portland. As the seasons in the Willamette and Columbia rivers begin in March, you can expect to catch coho, sockeye, and Chinook salmon. When June rolls around, large Chinook appear in the Columbia River. Head to Astoria to maximize your salmon run during the summer months.
During August, be sure to check out Astoria’s Buoy 10 fishery, which opens at the end of the month. At this time, you’ll see many anglers gravitating toward the coast of Oregon for a chance to catch coho and Chinook salmon as their fall season begins. Head toward the Bonneville Dam on the Willamette River for your best shot at reeling in fall Chinook salmon.
Steelhead
Portland experiences two steelhead seasons, one being in the summer and the other in the winter.
In June, steelhead gravitate to the Columbia River. You can also anticipate catching sockeye and Chinook salmon when fishing for summer steelhead. Another hot spot for catching summer steelhead is the Cowlitz River.
The winter steelhead season goes from November through February. One of the top fishing grounds is the Clackamas River, which is known for its abundance of winter steelhead. You can also check out the Sandy and the Willamette rivers to fish for steelhead during the winter season.
Sturgeon
The Columbia River experiences an ongoing supply of sturgeon all throughout the year. Throughout January until the end of April, the best places to find sturgeon are in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. When May rolls around, sturgeon start to appear in the Columbia River in Astoria. You can expect to continue catching large sturgeon near the Bonneville Dam in the late fall.
Portland Fishing Seasons by Month
January-February
Steelhead are prominent in the Portland rivers during January, while sturgeon join them in February.
March-May
Spring Chinook salmon arrive in the Columbia River during March. Come May, many anglers will be heading to Bonneville Dam to catch sturgeon.
June
Sturgeon are still biting strong and steelhead season begins during June in Portland.
August
August is the perfect month to fish at the coast for Chinook and coho salmon.
September
In the fall salmon head toward Portland, you can anticipate reeling in steelhead and salmon while fishing in the local rivers.
October
In October, salmon are still biting well and there are a few remaining sturgeon around the Bonneville Dam.
Reach Out to These Top Fishing Guides in Portland, Oregon
Make the most out of your next fishing trip to Portland, Oregon with the assistance of one of the best fishing guides on our list of premier fishing charters in Portland.