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What time of year is the best for fishing the rivers around Portland?

Around Portland, you’ll find the best bites for winter steelhead in February and March; spring chinook in May and June; summer steelhead in Spetmber; coho salmon in late September and October; fall chinook in October and November.

Where can we fish for spring chinook?

Head to the ocean off the North and Central Coast for wild salmon. Or cast a line at one of the many rivers in northwest Oregon stocked with hatchery chinook. Daily limits are enforced. Keep in mind that in 2017 chinook fishing is prohibited in parts of the South Coast. Due to a low forecast…

Where can I fish near old-growth trees?

On the Oregon Coast, Oswald West State Park between Manzanita and Cannon Beach has some nice old-growth trees. The closest rivers with good fishing are the Necanicum River to the north and the Nehalem and North Fork Nehalem rivers to the south. In Greater Portland, Oxbow Park along the Sandy River has old-growth trees and has a…

What is the best fishing area near Portland in December?

Fishing in the Mount Hood area can be tough in December because the lakes can be snowed in or frozen, however, Pine Hollow is a little east of Mt Hood and worth checking out. In December on the Oregon Coast the ocean is usually too rough to fish and also December is our wettest month…

Where do I go to fish for big salmon?

Salmon fishing in Oregon is great year-round, but fall does yield some large catches. Your best bet for big salmon at this time of the year is along the Oregon Coast Range at Tillamook Bay, Nestucca River, Chetco River and Elk River.

Where is the closest crabbing/clamming location to Portland?

The best beaches for razor clamming on the Oregon Coast are about 90 minutes from Portland in the Seaside area and north toward Fort Stevens State Park. You’ll want to check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding licensing, limits and shellfish safety closures. The razor clam season is closed on these beaches…

When is the best time for charter fishing at the Oregon Coast?

Oregon Coast charters for off-shore fishing start in May and last into October.  There are salmon seasons in the summer months, halibut seasons about every other weekend, tuna July-September and bottom fish year around. Consult Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife for current seasons: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/index.asp

Where are the best places to fish for sturgeon?

Sturgeon are an excellent sport fish and relatively plentiful so you are sure to have action and catch some fish. It is catch and release. There are two areas I would suggest for sturgeon. At the Oregon Coast, head to Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River in June and July. There is a…

Where’s a good spot to crab near Astoria without a boat?

You may find some crabbing charters out of the port of Hammond south of Astoria. In addition, the 12th Street bridge in Seaside is a popular non-boat location with crab rings dropped directly off the bridge. One of the best crabbing experiences on the North Oregon Coast is further south on Nehalem Bay. Kelly’s Marina…

Where can we fish for trout or catfish near Roseburg?

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regularly stocks reservoirs and lakes with trout. You can find the schedule of trout stocking for your area online. However, a good bet for catching catfish would be to head over to the Coast and fish in Siltcoos Lake.

How do you catch razor clams?

ODFW has a lot of good info- http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams/index.asp Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA4D2ERtTdo Sometimes you will see those “shows” on their own, especially right at low tide. I like to stomp my feet as I walk in about a ten foot circle and then walk back over my tracks and look for shows. As the…

What is the best time of year and place for salmon fishing?

In Oregon salmon run almost year around on one river or another. First are spring Chinook; they start in March but the best fishing is April and May on the Columbia, Willamette and Rogue Rivers and May and June in Tillamook Bay. June also has some good summer Chinook fishing in the Columbia. Next is…

Is March too early for a fly fishing trip? When does the season start? -Doug

There are some serious fly fishers who will fish in March but I would say later in the spring it gets even better. Many of the rivers that get salmon and steelhead runs do not open until the third week of May to protect the young salmon and steelhead that are migrating to sea.  Most lakes…

When and where do people go clamming and crabbing?

Crabbing and clamming don’t always go hand in hand.  You want to have minus tide for good clamming so that the beds are exposed. For crabbing, ideally you want a small tidal exchange so that the current isn’t too great. You will find the most low tides in May, June and July but twice every…

The men want to fish for 2 days in late September. We would like to see the best of the Oregon Coast and some inland. Suggestions?

That time frame is ideal for salmon on both the Columbia River and the Oregon Coast. Tillamook and Nehalem Bays will be heating up (Nearest towns are Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway and Nehalem.  The guys can fish while the girls shop, beach comb or explore.  I would suggest Garibaldi House as a  very nice place to stay. Boat rentals…

I was wondering if you could tell me the best area to visit mid-July for fishing. I have two boys ages 13 and 15 that love to fish. -Tammy H.

Here are a few great options around the state to visit with good fishing for the boys: In southern Oregon, Diamond Lake is nice and you can also visit Crater Lake. On the central/southern Oregon Coast check out Siltcoos Lake. On the northern Oregon Coast, Fort Stevens State Park is a great option.  It’s rich in…

We are looking for a coastal area to bring our RV and boat to do some salmon fishing. We want an easy access to the ocean. – Peggy

Newport or Garibaldi are probably your best bet, of course always check conditions and tides forcast before heading out (and fishing regulations). At Newport check out staying at South Beach and in Garibaldi at Barview County Park. Here are a few links for crossing the bar.

What are the fishing opportunities on the Oregon coast the last week of April. I assume steelhead will be over. Would a charter for bottom fish be worthwhile?

There are a few opportunities for fishing the last week of April on the Oregon coast. Sea perch start to move into the bays, the coastal lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and there are a few winter steelhead around but it is the end of…

We are recent transplants from California to the beautiful Umpqua Valley. My wife and I enjoy hunting and fishing. When is the best time to fish for winter steelhead and salmon in the Southern Umpqua River?

I’m not too familiar with fishing the Umpqua. I’ve personally only fished it for smallmouth bass. But, as a general rule winter steelhead will be picking up in January and last through March. The salmon fishing will be winding down about now.