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Guide to Columbia Gorge Fishing Seasons:
Here in the Columbia River Gorge, we have an abundance of water and plenty of fishing opportunities year-round. Whether you're into steelhead, trout, bass, or carp, there's always something biting. We often get asked what's fishing well at different times of the year, so here's a Seasonal Guide to help plan your next trip to the Gorge.
**January/February**
This is prime time for winter steelhead, particularly for those swinging or nymphing on the Oregon and Washington coastal rivers. Focus on rivers as they drop after a storm, this is when fish are most active. Avoid high flows or extremely low and clear conditions; the best action happens on the drop.
Rivers with hatchery programs, especially those with Chambers Creek strain steelhead, tend to see fish returning as early as November and peaking in January. The North Fork Nehalem and Wilson River are strong early bets. Washington rivers like the East Fork Lewis, Washougal, Cowlitz, and Kalama also produce good fishing, particularly moving into February.
Summer steelhead are still found in rivers such as the John Day, Grande Ronde, and Umatilla. Above The Dalles Dam, any steelhead is considered a summer run regardless of season.
Trout fishing on the Deschutes is phenomenal this time of year. Despite cold temps, large redbands can be found sipping BWOs in eddies or attacking sculpin patterns. The Maupin section downstream remains open and offers great solitude and scenery.
The Metolius and Crooked Rivers are solid options for winter trout. Small midge and BWO nymphs are effective, and anglers willing to sight-fish on the Metolius can be rewarded with impressive, hard-fighting trout.
The Klickitat River is closed until June 1.
**March/April**
This is peak winter steelhead season. Just about every coastal river is fishing well, especially after a spring rain. Local Oregon favorites include the Wilson, Nestucca, Alsea, and Siletz. Columbia tributaries like the Sandy and Clackamas are also productive.
Washington's East Fork Lewis and Washougal can produce, but check current regulations - closures and rule changes are common.
Olympic Peninsula rivers like the Hoh and Sol Duc are legendary this time of year, and Oregon's coastal streams offer lesser-known but rewarding options.
The Deschutes continues to shine for trout. Stormy days bring great BWO hatches, while March Browns and Skwala stones excite fish on warmer afternoons. Try nymphing a stonefly and mayfly combo or swinging streamers.
In Eastern Washington, April means lake season is ramping up. The Columbia Basin lakes are teeming with large, hungry trout. Try Lenice, Nunnally, Sun Lakes, or the Potholes area. Chironomids and slow-trolled buggers are the go-to patterns.
Closer to home, mountain lakes like Timothy, Lost Lake, Clear, Kingsley, and Trillium come into play as snow melts. Be prepared for limited access until late spring.
Smallmouth bass fishing improves in April. Look for fish moving into shallow, rocky areas. The Yakima River and Columbia River are solid spring producers.
**May/June**
Trout season is at its peak, and even the most devoted steelheaders will be tempted by prolific hatches and active fish.
The Deschutes becomes a dry fly haven as Salmonflies and Golden Stones hatch. Nymph early, then switch to dries as the bugs become active. Focus efforts from Maupin up to Pelton, but do not overlook lower sections where the hatch starts earlier.
While the Klickitat technically opens June 1 for summer steelhead, it often runs too high and dirty to be fishable until later. The Sandy, Clackamas, Washougal, and Lewis can produce early fish by late May and early June.
Spring Chinook ("springers") show up in the Hood and Klickitat rivers and occasionally in the Wind. These fish are hard to catch on flies, so bait and hardware are more commonly used.
Lake fishing is excellent. Lost Lake, Laurence, and Goose Lake all shine with trout gorging on chironomids, Callibaetis, and damselflies. The Hex hatch at Merrill Lake in late June is a legendary event for big dry fly eats.
Smallmouth bass are shallow and aggressive. The Columbia and John Day Rivers offer exceptional opportunities with poppers, streamers, and baitfish patterns.
Tiger muskie hunters should hit Evergreen, Merwin, and Mayfield Lakes. Use a wire leader and big streamers, and keep expectations realistict - these apex predators don't come easy!
Carp start cruising the shallows in spring. Sight-fishing with subtle, well-placed flies can be both maddening and rewarding.
**July/August**
Summer fishing is all about adapting. High mountain lakes and cool small streams become prime targets as temperatures rise.
Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests are full of lakes and creeks that offer great dry fly fishing, solitude, and scenic beauty. Trout Lake Creek, Oak Grove Fork, Eagle Creek, and East Fork Hood River are all worth exploring.
Lost Lake remains productive in summer, especially in the mornings and evenings. Use sinking lines during the heat of the day, then switch to leeches and Callibaetis dries as fish move shallower.
Summer steelhead begin entering the Deschutes and Klickitat in July. Fishing improves toward late August as temperatures drop and flows stabilize. Expect high temps in the canyon; start early or fish late.
For stillwater steelheading, try Drano Lake and the Herman Creek estuary near Cascade Locks. August is peak passage for Columbia River steelhead, and these areas can be effective, especially for boat or float tube anglers.
With the wide variety of fisheries available, there's never a bad time to get out and enjoy what the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Just remember to check current regulations and conditions before you go, and be ready for anything because just about anything can happen here on the water.
OPST Skagit Command...