Salmon Fishing on the large Rivers in Oregon and Washington

    River Salmon Fishing on the larger rivers of  Oregon and Washington including the Columbia River, Willamette River, Cowlitz River and other large rivers in the Pacific northwest:
Written by  Pro Oregon fishing guide Dennis Hull (Bite Me Guide Service )  

Spring Chinook Salmon fishing Columbia river and Willamette River is supposed to be very good in 2012. It starts in March and runs into June do you have your dates reserved? If not call us at 503-551-6369

  This page is on Salmon fishing on the bigger rivers in the northwest for salmon. Some of the rivers that these fishing tips and techniques apply to are the Columbia River, the Willamette River, the Cowlitz River and other larger rivers found throughout the Pacific Northwest from California to British Columbia - for now we are starting with Salmon fishing rivers in Oregon and Washington. Most of these techniques for Salmon fishing apply to the larger rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest from California to Alaska. 

   The most difficult thing to do when salmon fishing a big river like the Columbia river, Willamette river, Snake river, Cowlitz river or other large salmon fishing rivers is to position yourself in front of the salmon. Bigger rivers have allot of water for the fish to travel in and finding there travel routes is the key to consistently finding fish. Salmon travel in very distinct travel lanes and follow certain depths, river bottom structures, types of current and so on. When these salmon get upriver away from the saltwater for a period of time there feeding habits change and they are more keyed into there upstream migration than they are into feeding. Its for this reason that location is the key  to your salmon fishing success. You have to place your baits in front of the salmon so that they will irritate them into biting. The Spring Chinook salmon still actively feed while migrating upstream but there Fall Chinook cousins usually will hit a lure or bait out of a reaction strike and not a feeding impulse. The reason for this is that the spring salmon enter the river in late winter or early spring and don't spawn until late summer or fall so they continue to eat until they spawn. The fall salmon enter Oregon and Washington rivers beginning in late summer and usually spawn shortly after reaching there spawning areas this process can take as little as a couple of weeks.

  When fishing for salmon in a bigger river for the first time a useful technique is to talk to bait and tackle stores, sporting goods dealers in the area where you want to fish for salmon, because there is allot of water out there and you need some ideas on proven fish migration lanes to get started. Have you ever wondered why in all of that water out there are all of the boats grouped up in a few locations. That is because those spots continue to produce year after year and salmon fisherman - like salmon are prone to schooling up as well. This doesn't mean that these are the only places to catch salmon but that they are proven producers. A good way to plan a day is to set up in one of these spots during the right time and tide ( bait and tackle dealers can inform you as to when the times and tides have been best ) and then if that doesn't work don't be afraid to try some experimenting. When you are salmon fishing in one of these go to spots study the features of this spot such as how strong the current is, the bottom structure and depth, inside or outside bend in the river, water temp, water clarity and anything else unique to it. Then when you go off to experiment with some new spots look for spot with similar characteristics maybe with a little deeper water or shallower water, but with allot of similarities. The salmon are drawn to these popular spots buy the rivers characteristics and learning them can make or break you as a successful salmon fisherman in big rivers. The techniques for salmon fishing in big rivers usually involve trolling herring or big salmon plugs or spinners on an incoming tide and anchoring with big plugs or wobblers on an outgoing tide. For information on salmon lures and baits that are popular here in Oregon and Washington click here. In certain rivers back bouncing eggs or shrimp has become popular. Find out what the go to baits have been for the area you plan on fishing but always keep in mind that location and river characteristics are by far the number one factor is fishing for and catching big river salmon.

Give us a call @ To reserve your dates for some great salmon fishing this fall
503-551-6369
Or click here to request infomation or brochures

Check out our new salmon fishing product - available online
 

Copyright © 2003 [www.nwfish.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: January 30, 2012 
 

Our Fishing Trips
Need a Guide?
Our fishing Schedule
Request Brochures
Photo gallery
Meet Dennis
Contact us

 

Hot fishing trips Now
Columbia River spring salmon fishing starts in March
Willamette River Spring chinook fishing March into June
 Give us a call @
503-551-6369
or click here for info or brochures
email us

Other fishing tips and resources