Oregon Fishing Charters
Oregon fishing charters cover everything from deep sea halibut runs out of the Columbia to trout and kokanee trips in high mountain lakes.
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Top Rated Charters in Oregon
Oregon Fishing Guide
Oregon’s got a split personality when it comes to fishing—and that’s a good thing. The Pacific coast stretches over 360 miles and gives access to offshore rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and albacore tuna when the conditions are right. Inshore, the bays like Tillamook, Yaquina, and Coos offer solid crabbing and seasonal salmon trolling. Move inland and it turns into a freshwater paradise: the Columbia River for sturgeon and smallmouth, the Deschutes for fly-caught redsides, and hundreds of lakes loaded with trout, kokanee, and bass.
Most saltwater trips run out of places like Astoria, Garibaldi, Depoe Bay, and Brookings. Full-day bottom fishing for lingcod and sea bass is common, with 6-pack boats launching at daylight and fishing reefs within 5 to 15 miles. Tuna trips go 20 to 40 miles out when the warm currents push in midsummer. For bay and river salmon trips, fall Chinook are the big draw—especially in tidewater stretches where guides back-bounce eggs or run spinners with the tide.
Freshwater guides target trout and kokanee on lakes like Odell, Crescent, and Detroit with downriggers or lead-core lines. On the Columbia, you’ve got guides running sleds for oversize sturgeon in summer, then switching to walleye or fall Chinook when the runs come through. Fly guides work the McKenzie, Metolius, and Crooked using stonefly patterns, Euro nymphs, or dry-dropper rigs depending on the time of year.
Bait varies widely—anchovies, herring, sand shrimp, roe, nightcrawlers, and flies all have their time. Ramps are decent across the coast but can get jammed during halibut openers or salmon peaks, especially around Astoria and Newport.
Regional Fishing Highlights
Columbia River Gorge
Big water, big fish. Springers, fall Chinook, coho, walleye, and sturgeon all come through. Charter captains work the tides and dam counts closely—April and May are all about trolling herring near Portland, while summer brings anchor fishing and wobblers downriver. Catch-and-release sturgeon runs get wild, with 7–10 foot fish pulling drag like freight trains.
Central Oregon Lakes
This is trout and kokanee country. Odell, Wickiup, Paulina, and Crane Prairie all have guide traffic early mornings through summer. Most use downriggers, dodgers, and wedding rings tipped with corn or maggots. Late ice-out or heat can change things fast, but mornings stay reliable. Some lakes also kick out decent smallmouth and largemouth bass in the shallows.
Oregon Coast
Depoe Bay, Newport, Garibaldi, and Brookings run year-round bottom fishing for <strong>lingcod</strong> and <strong>rockfish</strong>. Albacore shows up mid to late summer when offshore temps climb. Halibut opens by quota and weather—don’t expect calm seas, but the fish are there. Crabbing can be added to bay trips depending on season. Salmon trolling is best July–September.
Willamette Valley
Salmon and steelhead runs push into the Willamette, Santiam, and Clackamas systems. Spring Chinook are the prime target in March through May with guides running jet sleds and divers with bait. Water levels can shut things down quick, so timing and flow matter. Summer steelhead hit plugs and beads in clearer runs upstream.
Fishing Seasons in Oregon
Spring
Springers (Chinook) arrive first on the Columbia and Willamette, with plunkers and back-bouncers lined up by April. Lakes start to open up for trout and kokanee, and early bass wake up in lowland ponds. Surfperch fishing kicks off on open beaches. March–May also means the first halibut openers on the coast.
Summer
This is peak season just about everywhere. Tuna go offshore, salmon stage in bays, lakes fish best early before the sun cooks the bite. Sturgeon and walleye light up the Columbia. Coastal rockfish limits are fast if the wind lays down. Deschutes redsides are on dry flies when the hatches hit.
Fall
Fall Chinook stack up in the coastal bays and rivers—places like Tillamook, Nehalem, and Coos Bay see heavy trolling pressure. Sturgeon fishing slows but remains solid. Trout drop back to deeper holes but kokanee can still hit. Fly fishing gets technical with October caddis and streamers for brown trout.
Winter
Steelhead time on the coastal rivers. Guides focus on the Wilson, Nestucca, Siletz, and Umpqua with bobber-dogging and drift gear. Lakes slow down but can still produce with patience. Saltwater mostly shuts down due to swell, but rockfish trips happen during weather windows. Crabbing improves as rains push fresh water into the bays.
Most Popular Gamefish in Oregon
- Chinook Salmon – 10–30 pounds. Caught in bays, rivers, and offshore using herring, spinners, or wobblers near current seams or on troll.
- Coho Salmon – 6–15 pounds. Targeted offshore and in river mouths using hoochies, flashers, or twitching jigs.
- Steelhead – 5–12 pounds. Fished in the Rogue, Umpqua, and Deschutes with drifted beads, flies, or jigs under a float.
- Sturgeon – 20–200 pounds. Found in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Anchored bait rigs with smelt, squid, or herring
- Lingcod – 5–25 pounds. Targeted offshore with lead jigs or bait on bottom near reefs and rocky pinnacles.
- Halibut – 20–60 pounds. Caught offshore on full-day trips using heavy bait rigs on sandy flats beyond 200 feet.
- Rockfish – 1–8 pounds. Found inshore and nearshore reefs. Jigs and shrimp flies on bottom rigs are standard.
- Smallmouth Bass – 1–4 pounds. Found in the Umpqua and John Day Rivers. Targeted with crankbaits and soft plastics.
- Rainbow Trout – 10–20 inches. Stocked in lakes and found in wild rivers like the McKenzie. Fished with flies, spinners, and bait.
- Lake Trout – 5–20 pounds. Deep trolling in Wallowa Lake using flashers and bait rigs near drop-offs.
- Walleye – 2–10 pounds. Caught in the Columbia River. Trolled with worm harnesses or jigged near current breaks.
- Surfperch – 1–2 pounds. Found in coastal surf zones. Fished with sand crabs or Gulp on small bottom rigs.
Oregon Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license in Oregon?
Yes, you’ll need a state fishing license, and if you’re fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut, you’ll also need a Combined Angling Tag. Guides don’t cover this—get it ahead of time.
When is tuna season off the Oregon coast?
Albacore usually show up mid-July and stay into early September. You’ll need calm water and a long run—many trips go 30+ miles offshore.
Where can I fish for sturgeon in Oregon?
The Columbia River is your best bet, especially below Bonneville Dam and down toward Astoria. Most sturgeon fishing is catch-and-release.
Is ocean fishing year-round?
Bottom fishing for rockfish and lingcod is open much of the year, but halibut and salmon are highly regulated and often quota-based. Weather also shuts things down often in winter.
What’s the best time for fall Chinook?
Late August through October is prime for bay trolling in places like Tillamook and Nehalem. Upriver runs can stretch into November depending on rainfall.
Can I keep crabs on charter trips?
Can I keep crabs on charter trips?
If the season is open, yes—many coastal charters will drop pots on the way out and pull them on the way back in. Dungeness are the main target.
What gear do I need for kokanee fishing?
Light rods, small dodgers, spinners, and scented corn. Downriggers help, but lead-core line works too. Mornings are best before the sun pushes fish deep.
Is fly fishing good in Oregon?
Very. The Deschutes, McKenzie, and Metolius are all productive, especially in spring and early summer. Match the hatch or swing soft hackles.
Can kids go on Oregon fishing charters?
Yes, most guides welcome families. Bottom fishing and lake trips are best for younger kids—less waiting, more action, and calmer water.