Oregon fishing reports
Seasonal outlook from BDC Guide Service, and how to get today's on-the-water report.
The season, by the month
Winter steelhead
January to April
- Good for
- Coastal and tributary rivers
- Notes
- Early mornings and tide-influenced windows often fish best.
Spring and early Chinook
March to July
- Good for
- Columbia and Willamette rivers
- Notes
- Strong Chinook runs from March into July. The spring run rolls almost straight into the fall run, with about a three-week gap between them.
Fall salmon
August to November
- Good for
- Columbia and Willamette rivers
- Notes
- The season opens August 1. Fall Chinook fishes strongest August through October, with salmon into November.
American shad
Early summer, dates not confirmed yet
- Good for
- Columbia and Willamette rivers
- Notes
- Shad come through in big numbers on light tackle, which makes them a favorite with kids and first-time anglers. Call for this year’s window.
Sturgeon
Catch and release all year
- Good for
- Catch-and-release trips on the Columbia
- Notes
- Retention is only open for short announced periods, usually a two-day opener, so most sturgeon trips are catch and release.
Dungeness crab
October to December
- Good for
- Family-friendly fall charters
- Notes
- Fall crabbing charters for fresh Dungeness crab and family fun.
Solid bars mark the core window, light bars mark extra chances. Runs shift year to year, so call for current windows.
Ask the captain
Questions before you book?
Ask Captain Clinton anything: what to bring, which trip fits your group, kids, licenses. He replies as soon as he is off the water.
