Just 45 minutes east of Portland, Hood River is the hub city on Oregon’s side of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.
Some know Hood River Oregon for its famous orchards and vineyard. For others, it’s the windsurfing capital of the world.
But for me and many others, we know Hood River, Oregon, for the fishing it offers on the beautiful Columbia River.
Fishing around Hood River on the Columbia River offers all kinds of species of fish, including salmon, sturgeon, steelhead, and walleye. And, of course, there are plenty of smaller fish, including smallmouth bass and crappie and seasonal runs of shad.
Sturgeon fishing around Hood River on the Columbia River is a year-round fishery. However, there is only a small season in January where you may retain a sturgeon. When fishing for sturgeon, make sure you check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the current season and regulations so you can keep yourself out of trouble. Or just ask if you’re planning to fish around Hood River with me because I keep up with all regulations.
I also offer popular late spring and early summer trips to catch giant sturgeon in The Dalles, which is a short drive east if you’d prefer to stay in Hood River for its other attractions but want to catch what likely will be the largest fish of your life.
Salmon and steelhead fishing on the Columbia River near Hood River is also seasonal, but there often are opportunities for at least some spring, summer, and fall salmon fishing. The most popular salmon fisheries in the Gorge area are the spring Chinook and fall Chinook and coho runs.
As with sturgeon, be sure to check current regulations to see when you’re able to harvest a salmon or steelhead on the Columbia River. Seasons for these fisheries are typically set mid-year and can change quickly, so you’ll need to stay on top of it if you’re not fishing with a guide because our job includes making sure clients are fishing legally.
There’s plenty of opportunity for bass and panfish around Hood River. The Columbia has a renowned fishery for smallmouth bass and hosts many large fishing tournaments. While these fisheries are open year-round, by far the best fishing for these species will be in the spring, summer, and early fall months, when the water is warmer.
People call Hood River the windsurfing capital of the world for a reason: wind will blow hard up here and make the Columbia River have wind chops up to 4 to 7 feet high. With wind chop like that, windsurfers from all over the world come to play on the Columbia River in the Hood River area every summer.
When the wind is blowing like that, it is a fisherman’s nightmare. So be careful and watch the forecast if you’re going to go out on the Columbia River near Hood River in a boat. While the wind can blow at any time, first light often brings the calmest weather.
Maybe wine tasting is your thing. Then you may want to travel to Hood River, where you can enjoy the taste of “Fruit Loop” with over 40 wineries near Hood River. Apples, pears, cherries, peaches and many other tree fruits also grow better here than almost anywhere in Oregon.
Check out the following article to learn more about sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River.
Learn more about Columbia River salmon fishing by clicking here.
Check out the National Weather Service’s forecast for Hood River by clicking here.
Update
the Columbia River Sturgeon season in the Hood River, Oregon area. Will open January 1st,2024. You may harvest a sturgeon with legal measurements on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays, until the quota is met. Make sure you check with current regulations with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife before you harvest a sturgeon to make sure, the quota is still allowed.
Happy clients holding salmon they caught on the Columbia River near the city of Hood River.
Last Updated on by Marvin
