Don’t just go fishing… Go catching!

My name is Marvin Henkel Jr. I have been running Marvin’s Guide Service for more than 24 years and have helped thousands of happy customers catch salmon, sturgeon, walleye and much more.
I’ve earned my spot among the premier fishing guides in the Pacific Northwest.

I live right here in Portland, Oregon, and we fish in the Columbia River and Willamette River close to home and Vancouver, Washington, and from Astoria to the Columbia River Gorge and beyond.

Depending on the season, Marvin’s Guide Service also charters trips on the Pacific Ocean for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. My Dungeness crab trips are practically legendary.

Whatever you want to catch, I’ll take you where you’ll have the best odds and the best time.

Oregon Fishing Guide Trips:

Let’s take a quick look at Marvin’s most popular trips…

Salmon Fishing

The Northwest’s favorite fish doesn’t stand a chance when you’re fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service, one of the Portland/Vancouver area’s most experienced salmon fishing guides.

My customers and I start chasing the world-famous spring chinook salmon run in March near Portland on the Columbia River and Willamette River. We promise you’ll never taste better salmon than a fresh springer!

When late July and August roll around, you can be on board as Marvin takes you to the first arriving fall chinook and coho salmon.

Those first trips are out on the ocean, and then when the salmon move into the lower Columbia River, you’ll fish the Buoy 10 area, which is bar none Oregon and Washington’s best salmon fishery.

When the calendar turns to fall, we are still catching coho and amazing king salmon … whether in the mighty Columbia River near Portland or Bonneville Dam, on Tillamook Bay, or elsewhere along the spectacular Oregon Coast.

Read more about Salmon Fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service

Sturgeon Fishing

You’d be hard-pressed to find any Oregon fishing guide with more experience and excitement when it comes to landing North America’s largest freshwater fish, the white sturgeon.

Whether you’re out to take home a keeper or ready to catch and release a 12-foot monster weighing over 700 pounds, Marvin’s sturgeon fishing trips are the opportunity of a lifetime.

Read more about Sturgeon Fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service

Walleye Fishing

Walleye are the Midwest’s favorite fish, but they sure have made themselves at home in the Northwest. This is especially true in the Columbia River, which many serious walleye anglers believe will produce the next world record.

These fish are fun to catch and even better to eat. I have dialed in the best walleye fishing water for you in the Columbia River Gorge, located a comfortable drive from Portland.

Read more about Walleye Fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service

Rockfish and Lingcod Fishing

Did anybody say Fast Action Fishing? You’ll find it fishing the reefs and rocks off the Oregon Coast, where you’ll catch spunky rockfish, big lingcod, and other bountiful bottomfish.

We might even get you on a 40-pound halibut!

Read more about Ocean Fishing with Marvin’s Guide Service

Dungeness Crabbing

That’s right. The world’s most scrumptious shellfish, the ones that cost a gazillion dollars at the market, are crawling across the bottom of North Oregon’s bays and the Columbia River estuary.
You can’t see them down there, but I know right where to set the traps to haul up your 12-crab limit of delicious Dungeness.

Read more about Crabbing with Marvin’s Guide Service

Why Choose Marvin’s Guide Service?

Marvin’s name may be on the boat, but once you step aboard, it’s all about you, the customer.

You’ll Go Where the Fishing is Best

You might not know where the fish are biting, but I stay right on top of where the fishing has been the hottest.

I’ll take you to the top spots on the Pacific Northwest’s best fishing waters close to home in Portland or within a two-hour drive.

You’ll Go With Quality

I make sure you’ll use only the freshest baits, the most effective tackle, and the highest-quality rods and reels. I work closely with some of the top fishing manufacturers and bait dealers in the Northwest.

You’ll Go in Comfort

I captain a 27-foot Alumaweld Intruder that is covered and heated (when needed) for anything the Pacific Northwest throws at us.

Have you suffered through a day of fishing in the rain and wind and cold? Not on the Marvin’s Guide Service boat. It’ll be in the water at the dock, warmed up and ready to fish when you arrive.

Read More About Marvin’s Boat

You’ll Go in Safety

I’m a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain with CPR training, and my boat and my training are second to none for safety.

You’ll Be in Good Company

Marvin’s Guide Service has been featured in some of the Portland area’s top media outlets. For example, Fox 12 Good Day Oregon has fished with me on 16 different occasions.

You may have even watched while host Andy Carson caught salmon, sturgeon, and walleye on live TV, and it could be you reeling in all those fish!

Now’s the time to book a trip with one of the best Portland fishing guides! Marvin’s Guide Service will hook you up.

Meet Your Guide

Want to learn more about your fishing guide? Read about Portland native Marvin Henkel and his son and helper, Austin.

Large group?

Do you have a group too large for one boat? No problem, Marvin’s Guide Service works alongside many other great guides.

I will personally handle lining up as many great guides as it takes to get the whole crew on the water and reeling in fish.

I’m Here to Help! 

If you have questions about guided fishing in the Greater Portland/Vancouver area or need trip information or ideas, I’m always ready to help. Give me a call at (503)314-5087.