Columbia River Chinook Salmon Fishing Charters

Columbia River Chinook Salmon Fishing Charters

Top Columbia River Chinook Salmon Fishing Destinations

Best Chinook Salmon Fishing Charters in Columbia River

Columbia River: 82 fishing charters available
Just added to our fleet
Cascade Locks
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $1,300
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(8 reviews)
Boardman
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $235
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(16 reviews)
Astoria
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $250
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(3 reviews)
Troutdale
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $200

Chinook Salmon Fishing in Columbia River

Chinook Salmon
  • Size 10-50 lbs
  • Food Value Excellent
  • Game Qualities Good
  • Habitats Inshore, Lake, River, Nearshore

(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Columbia River’s Salmon fishing opportunities have long held legendary status. This fishery boasts three separate Salmon runs and two varieties of Salmon. It’s easy to see why casting a line here has captured the hearts of freshwater fishing fanatics all across the US. Want to experience it for yourself? All you need to do is set sail with one of the many Columbia River Salmon fishing guides dotted along this waterway!
 
The Columbia River is home to two varieties of Salmon – the mighty Chinook and the feisty Coho. The fishing season usually starts sometime in March, when Chinook kick off the river’s first Salmon run of the year. Summer Chinook arrive in June, which is when you’ll find huge “June Hogs” – species weighing around 50 pounds! August sees the fall Chinook Salmon run take place, and they’re soon joined by Coho, with strong fishing lasting throughout the fall.
 
A half day excursion is the perfect introduction to Columbia River Salmon fishing for newbies, especially during spring, when you’ll be able to hook perfect eating-size Chinook. If you’re a more experienced angler wanting a trophy, a full day trip during summer or fall will let you chase multiple Coho and Chinook hookups.
 
As the Columbia River flows for a whopping 1,200+ miles through Oregon and Washington, there are plenty of departure spots to choose from. Portland, OR, Astoria, OR, and Vancouver, WA, are popular locations, but you’ll find local charter guides posted up all along the river’s banks.
 
 

Columbia River Chinook Salmon Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Chinook Salmon fishing in Columbia River varies moderately throughout the year. High season is May to August. Low season is January to February and December. There is no closed season.
Columbia River
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Based on 28,443 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Chinook Salmon Fishing in Columbia River

If you are fishing for sturgeon it is great (though it is catch and release in Jan).
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you are fishing for sturgeon it is great (though it is catch and release in Jan).
Rivertrek NW โ€“ Sturgeon Fishing
Rivertrek NW โ€“ Sturgeon Fishing
We were the only ones on the water. The sturgeon were jumping out of the water everywhere. The weather was mild and partially cloudy. All around excellent time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We were the only ones on the water. The sturgeon were jumping out of the water everywhere. The weather was mild and partially cloudy. All around excellent time.
Rivertrek NW โ€“ Sturgeon Fishing
Rivertrek NW โ€“ Sturgeon Fishing
One absolutely has to book a trip with Barry at least once in their angling adventures. Highly recommended.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
One absolutely has to book a trip with Barry at least once in their angling adventures. Highly recommended.
Sandy River Guide Service
Sandy River Guide Service
It depends on rain and how many fish enter river during the run. Also if they start to let netting of drag boats it decreases your chance of a big fish. August to first week of September
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It depends on rain and how many fish enter river during the run. Also if they start to let netting of drag boats it decreases your chance of a big fish. August to first week of September
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland
We came in Sept. Perfect time to fish. Not crowded but was still able to land fish. Great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We came in Sept. Perfect time to fish. Not crowded but was still able to land fish. Great time.
Black Dogg Guide Service
Black Dogg Guide Service Cumming, GA
Fish in the bay\river. It may be rough going across the bar for a newbie. But expect to catch fish, because you will!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fish in the bay\river. It may be rough going across the bar for a newbie. But expect to catch fish, because you will!
Reel Em Up Fishing Adventures- Astoria
Reel Em Up Fishing Adventures- Astoria Highlands Ranch, CO
This was my wifeโ€™s first time. He made her first experience a memory for a lifetime. Your wifeโ€™s will love going on his boat.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This was my wifeโ€™s first time. He made her first experience a memory for a lifetime. Your wifeโ€™s will love going on his boat.
Caleb's Guide Service - Astoria
Caleb's Guide Service - Astoria Hualapai, AZ
Great harbor, great charter co. Columbia River is an entity unto itself, so awesome to be out on it.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great harbor, great charter co. Columbia River is an entity unto itself, so awesome to be out on it.
RiverTrek NW โ€“ Buoy 10
RiverTrek NW โ€“ Buoy 10 Springfield, OR
I recommend booking with Robert Vernon; Out Fishin and be prepared together wet! Bring all weather gear. There is storage on the boat.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I recommend booking with Robert Vernon; Out Fishin and be prepared together wet! Bring all weather gear. There is storage on the boat.
Out Fishin
Out Fishin Sedro-Woolley, WA
Understand that it's great to catch fish but depending on weather and conditions of the water there is no guarantee on leaving with fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Understand that it's great to catch fish but depending on weather and conditions of the water there is no guarantee on leaving with fish.
RiverTrek NW โ€“ Buoy 10
RiverTrek NW โ€“ Buoy 10 Portland, Oregon
Talk to the charters and find out exactly what they can fish for at different times of the year.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Talk to the charters and find out exactly what they can fish for at different times of the year.
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland Show Low, AZ
Fishing in July is a great balance between catching fish but not being too crowded with the number of boats in the water.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fishing in July is a great balance between catching fish but not being too crowded with the number of boats in the water.
Out Fishin
Out Fishin Boyds, MD
Get a Good Captain. Captain Taylor was knowledgeable, prepared, & accommodating.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Get a Good Captain. Captain Taylor was knowledgeable, prepared, & accommodating.
FishAbility NW
FishAbility NW Olympia, WA
Nice heavy jacket and long sleeves to shed off when fishing in the morning. We had a 7 to 11 trip to Timothy Lakeโ™ก Absolutely loved the peacefulness of the morning though drive was great! But service is spotty so make sure to write down your directions.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Nice heavy jacket and long sleeves to shed off when fishing in the morning. We had a 7 to 11 trip to Timothy Lakeโ™ก Absolutely loved the peacefulness of the morning though drive was great! But service is spotty so make sure to write down your directions.
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland Fort Ritner, IN
Helpful to know river levels and what affects it (dam releases on Columbia, snow melt on Mt Hood, weather, etc.). Know when the fish are running. Go with a guide if you can.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Helpful to know river levels and what affects it (dam releases on Columbia, snow melt on Mt Hood, weather, etc.). Know when the fish are running. Go with a guide if you can.
Sandy River Guide Service
Sandy River Guide Service
Although we did not catch our fish, there were plenty out there. We had two young boys in the boat and they were learning alot. We all three had a blast and now we think we are ready for the fish. Thank You!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Although we did not catch our fish, there were plenty out there. We had two young boys in the boat and they were learning alot. We all three had a blast and now we think we are ready for the fish. Thank You!
Sandy River Guide Service
Sandy River Guide Service Gresham, OR
To Look on fishingbooker.com to select the right fishing. It was great. Only the way to get a licence+harvest list is too complicated. It is still paper required. I think everything must go digital. Iam a German and I needed to go around to find a place where these papers could be printed out.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
To Look on fishingbooker.com to select the right fishing. It was great. Only the way to get a licence+harvest list is too complicated. It is still paper required. I think everything must go digital. Iam a German and I needed to go around to find a place where these papers could be printed out.
RiverTrek NW โ€“ King Salmon
RiverTrek NW โ€“ King Salmon Charlotte, North Carolina
Allow plenty of time to get from the airport to the coast. The best salmon fishing is near the mouth of the Columbia River or just offshore.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Allow plenty of time to get from the airport to the coast. The best salmon fishing is near the mouth of the Columbia River or just offshore.
RiverTrek NW โ€“ King Salmon
RiverTrek NW โ€“ King Salmon Beaverton, OR
Yes. I went for the experience, not just the fish. The Columbia River and Portland are beautiful.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes. I went for the experience, not just the fish. The Columbia River and Portland are beautiful.
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland
2 Net Fishing Guide LLC โ€“ Portland Honolulu, HI
Listen to your guide and if he recommends to delay the trip and if you can do it!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listen to your guide and if he recommends to delay the trip and if you can do it!
Sandy River Guide Service
Sandy River Guide Service Bossier City, LA

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