Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing Guide
Join Marvin Henkel, your expert Columbia River sturgeon fishing guide, for an unforgettable fishing adventure near Portland, Oregon, the Willamette River, and the Columbia River Gorge. With over 25 years of fishing experience, Marvin’s Guide Service helps anglers battle some of the biggest freshwater fish in the Pacific Northwest.
Sturgeon fishing is one of the most exciting guided fishing trips in Oregon. These ancient giants are powerful, hard-fighting, and unforgettable to catch. Whether you want a catch-and-release monster sturgeon trip or a limited keeper sturgeon opportunity when regulations allow, I’ll work hard to give you a safe, fun, and memorable day on the water.
Call or text 503-314-5087 or send a trip inquiry here to book your Columbia River or Willamette River sturgeon fishing trip.
Featured Sturgeon Fishing Videos
Marvin’s Guide Service has been featured by local Portland television stations for sturgeon fishing on the Willamette River and Columbia River. These videos show what makes Oregon sturgeon fishing such a unique and exciting experience.
FOX 12 Oregon Sturgeon Fishing with Andy Carson
Watch Marvin’s Guide Service fishing for sturgeon with Andy Carson from FOX 12 Oregon.
Watch the FOX 12 Andy Carson sturgeon fishing video on YouTube
KGW News Rod on the Job Sturgeon Fishing
Marvin’s Guide Service was also featured on KGW News during a Willamette River sturgeon fishing trip with Rod Hill on “Rod on the Job.”
Watch the KGW Rod on the Job sturgeon fishing segment
You can also read more about that trip on my KGW sturgeon fishing article here.
Premier Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing Guide Vessel
Marvin’s Guide Service offers premier sturgeon fishing from a spacious 27-foot Alumaweld Intruder. Fully equipped with cover, heat, modern electronics, and quality fishing gear, this boat is built for comfort, safety, and serious fishing.
The covered and heated setup helps keep anglers comfortable during winter, spring, summer, and fall sturgeon trips on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Learn more about the sturgeon fishing guide boat here.
Sturgeon Size and Facts
The Columbia River is home to sturgeon that can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. These “monster sturgeon” are usually part of a catch-and-release fishery, which means they must be released immediately after being caught.
Catch-and-release fishing helps protect this ancient species, which has been swimming in Northwest waters since the time of the dinosaurs. Learn more about the life of a sturgeon here.
Where to Catch a Columbia River Monster Sturgeon
I offer guided and chartered fishing trips aimed at catching giant sturgeon in the Columbia River Gorge. The best fishing season is often from May through September, which lines up with some of the Northwest’s best weather.
Many trophy sturgeon trips take place near Bonneville Dam, The Dalles Dam, and other productive areas of the Columbia River. These stretches of river are well known for giant catch-and-release sturgeon fishing.
Fishing for sturgeon in the Columbia River is an exciting adventure. We often use American shad as bait to lure these giants. Each shad can weigh 2 to 5 pounds, larger than many fish anglers normally catch. A whole shad may be used on the hook, and when regulations allow, we may also be able to help you catch shad for bait.
For current regulations, always check the ODFW Columbia Zone fishing report and the Washington fishing regulations.
10-foot sturgeon on the Columbia River. Sturgeon will occasionally leap from the water when hooked. Battling one of these ancient fish is an unforgettable experience.
How to Take a Photo With a Sturgeon
When catching a large sturgeon, it is important to keep the fish in the water for unhooking, photos, and release. Wearing a swimsuit under your clothing can make it easier to safely get in the water for a photo with your catch.
A guided sturgeon fishing adventure on the Columbia River can be one of the most memorable fishing trips of your life. The Columbia River is home to some of the largest freshwater fish in North America, giving anglers a rare chance to battle ancient-looking giants in beautiful Northwest scenery.
When fishery managers in Oregon and Washington allow it, I also offer limited dates for keeper sturgeon fishing. Keeper sturgeon must fall within a legal slot limit during designated fisheries. Let me know if you want to keep a sturgeon, and I’ll do my best to get you on one of those opportunities.
Learn how to book a fishing guide trip or send a trip inquiry here.
Willamette River Sturgeon Fishing Charter
Portland, Oregon has a strong catch-and-release sturgeon fishery along the Willamette River, where large sturgeon can be found for much of the year.
Fishing near downtown Portland is a unique experience. Some sturgeon spots sit near tall buildings, bridges, industrial docks, and large cargo ships, creating a one-of-a-kind urban fishing adventure.
For a sturgeon fishing trip that gives your group a great chance to battle some of the largest fish they have ever caught, a Willamette River sturgeon charter is one of the best options near Portland.
If you are looking for the fishing trip of a lifetime, contact me today to book a Columbia River or Willamette River sturgeon fishing trip.
Willamette River sturgeon fishing near Portland, Oregon
Book a Columbia River or Willamette River Sturgeon Trip
Ready to catch a giant sturgeon with Marvin’s Guide Service? I guide sturgeon fishing trips on the Columbia River, Willamette River, and Columbia River Gorge depending on season, regulations, river conditions, and the best available fishing opportunity.
Call or text 503-314-5087 or send a trip inquiry online to check available sturgeon fishing dates.
