Oregon Fishing Calendar | Best Times to Fish for Salmon, Sturgeon, Walleye, Steelhead & Crab
If you are wondering when to book an Oregon fishing trip, this fishing calendar will help you choose the best time of year for salmon, sturgeon, walleye, winter steelhead, crabbing, and Columbia River fishing. Marvin’s Guide Service fishes some of Oregon’s most popular waters, including the Columbia River, Willamette River, Columbia River Gorge, Astoria, Buoy 10, Tillamook Bay, Portland area rivers, and the Oregon Coast.
Fishing seasons can change each year depending on run size, weather, river conditions, ocean conditions, and Oregon and Washington fishing regulations. The calendar below gives a general idea of when I usually target each fishery, but exact trip availability depends on current conditions and regulations.
Want to know what is fishing best right now? Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087 or visit the trip inquiry page.
Oregon Fishing Seasons Month by Month
| Month | Best Fishing Options | Primary Locations |
|---|---|---|
| January | Winter steelhead, winter walleye, and catch-and-release sturgeon | Oregon rivers, Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River |
| February | Winter steelhead, winter walleye, and catch-and-release sturgeon | Oregon rivers, Columbia River Gorge, Columbia River |
| March | Spring Chinook begins around mid-March, plus sturgeon and late winter steelhead opportunities | Columbia River, Willamette River, Portland area |
| April | Spring Chinook and spring walleye | Columbia River, Willamette River, Columbia River Gorge |
| May | Spring walleye, spring Chinook, and giant sturgeon | Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Willamette River |
| June | Monster sturgeon, ocean salmon, and summer fishing | Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, Columbia River |
| July | Giant sturgeon, ocean salmon, and summer Columbia River trips | Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast |
| August | World-famous Buoy 10 salmon season | Astoria, Buoy 10, lower Columbia River |
| September | Fall Chinook salmon | Portland, Columbia River, Columbia River Gorge, Tillamook Bay |
| October | Tillamook Bay fall Chinook salmon | Tillamook Bay, Oregon Coast |
| November | Dungeness crabbing and late-season fishing opportunities | Tillamook Bay, Oregon Coast, coastal bays |
| December | Winter steelhead, Dungeness crabbing, and winter fishing options | Oregon rivers, Tillamook Bay, Oregon Coast, Columbia River |
December, January & February: Winter Steelhead Fishing
Winter steelhead fishing is one of Oregon’s classic cold-weather fishing opportunities. These fish are strong, aggressive, and exciting to catch, making them a favorite for anglers who want to fish during the winter months.
Winter steelhead usually starts building in December and continues through January and February. River conditions can change quickly with rain, cold weather, and water levels, but when the conditions line up, winter steelhead fishing can be excellent.
Winter steelhead trips are a great option for anglers looking for an Oregon fishing guide during the colder months, especially when salmon seasons are limited and Columbia River conditions are changing.
Best winter steelhead months: December, January, and February.
January & February: Winter Walleye and Sturgeon
January and February can be excellent months for Columbia River walleye fishing, especially in the Columbia River Gorge. Winter walleye trips are a good choice for anglers who want to fish before the spring salmon season gets busy.
Catch-and-release Columbia River sturgeon fishing may also be available during the winter when river conditions are good. Sturgeon are one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America, and even when retention is closed, catch-and-release sturgeon fishing can be an unforgettable trip.
Best winter trips: Oregon winter steelhead, Columbia River walleye, Columbia River Gorge walleye, and catch-and-release sturgeon.
March & April: Spring Chinook and Spring Walleye
By mid-March, the famous spring Chinook season usually starts building on the Columbia River and Willamette River. Spring Chinook are one of the most prized salmon in Oregon because of their quality, fight, and table fare.
This is also when spring walleye fishing in the Columbia River Gorge starts getting better. April and May can be very productive for walleye as fish become more active with warming water.
For salmon trips, I fish productive areas around Portland, the Columbia River, and the Willamette River depending on conditions and open seasons.
Best spring trips: Portland salmon fishing, Columbia River spring Chinook, Willamette River spring Chinook, and Columbia River Gorge walleye.
May, June & July: Giant Columbia River Sturgeon
May, June, and July are some of my favorite months for giant catch-and-release sturgeon in the Columbia River Gorge. These are true monster fish, and this is one of the most exciting guided trips I offer.
When people search for monster sturgeon fishing in Oregon, Columbia River sturgeon fishing, or giant sturgeon guide, this is the trip they are usually looking for. We fish big water, heavy gear, and target some of the largest freshwater fish available anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more about these trips on my Columbia River sturgeon fishing guide page.
Best early summer trips: monster sturgeon, Columbia River Gorge sturgeon, spring walleye, and early ocean salmon when open.
Mid-June & July: Ocean Salmon Fishing
Ocean salmon fishing usually begins around the middle of June, depending on the year and the approved season. When the ocean is open and conditions are safe, this can be a great time to target salmon off the Oregon Coast.
Ocean salmon trips depend heavily on marine weather, bar conditions, and current regulations, so it is always best to contact me before booking if you are looking for an ocean trip.
Best ocean trips: Oregon Coast salmon, ocean Chinook, ocean coho when open, and summer salmon fishing.
August: World-Famous Buoy 10 Salmon Fishing
August is one of the biggest salmon months of the year because the world-famous Buoy 10 fishery near Astoria usually opens around August 1. This is when Chinook and coho salmon move into the lower Columbia River near Astoria, creating one of the most popular salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest.
If you want to fish Astoria or Buoy 10, it is smart to book early. These dates are popular and can fill fast.
Learn more about this area on my Astoria Oregon fishing guide page and Buoy 10 salmon fishing page.
Best August trips: Buoy 10 salmon, Astoria salmon fishing, lower Columbia River Chinook, and coho salmon.
September: Fall Chinook on the Columbia River
September is a great month for fall Chinook salmon in the Portland area, lower Columbia River, and Columbia River Gorge. These fall salmon are powerful fish and are one of the main reasons anglers book guided Columbia River salmon trips.
Depending on water conditions and regulations, September can offer good opportunities in several areas. I choose locations based on fish movement, tides, river flow, and where the best bite is happening.
Best September trips: fall Chinook, Columbia River salmon, Portland salmon fishing, and Columbia River Gorge salmon.
October: Tillamook Bay Fall Chinook
October is prime time for Tillamook Bay fall Chinook fishing. Tillamook Bay is one of Oregon’s best-known fall salmon fisheries, and October is often when anglers are looking for big coastal Chinook.
Tillamook Bay offers a different style of fishing than the Columbia River. The tides, bay conditions, rain, and salmon movement all matter. When the bite is on, it can be one of the most exciting fall fisheries in Oregon.
Best October trips: Tillamook Bay Chinook, Oregon Coast fall salmon, and salmon/crab combo-style opportunities when available.
November & December: Oregon Coast Crabbing
November and December are great months to think about Dungeness crabbing. Oregon Coast crabbing can be a fun trip for families, groups, and anyone who wants to bring home fresh crab.
Crabbing opportunities depend on weather, tides, ocean conditions, and shellfish safety updates. Oregon’s Dungeness crab rules include size and sex limits, and anglers should always check current regulations before going. You can also read more about Oregon shellfish rules through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish regulations.
Learn more about local crab opportunities on my Tillamook Bay crabbing page.
Best late-season trips: Tillamook Bay crabbing, Oregon Coast crabbing, Dungeness crab trips, winter steelhead, and winter fishing options.
Year-Round Catch-and-Release Sturgeon Fishing
Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is one of the most exciting year-round opportunities on the Columbia River. Regulations can vary by area and season, but sturgeon are a major part of Columbia River fishing and one of the top trips for anglers who want to battle a truly powerful fish.
Some of the best trophy sturgeon action happens in the Columbia River Gorge during late spring and summer, especially May, June, and July. If your goal is to catch a giant Columbia River sturgeon, those are the months I usually recommend first.
Visit my Columbia River sturgeon fishing guide page for more details.
Best Time to Fish in Oregon
The best time to fish in Oregon depends on what you want to catch. If you want salmon, spring Chinook begins around March, Buoy 10 is usually an August fishery, Columbia River fall Chinook can be strong in September, and Tillamook Bay fall Chinook is a great October option.
If you want walleye, January through May can be a strong window in the Columbia River Gorge, with April and May being especially popular. If you want giant sturgeon, May through July is hard to beat. If you want winter steelhead, December through February is the main window. If you want crab, November and December are great months to look at Oregon Coast crabbing trips.
- Best salmon months: March, April, August, September, and October
- Best sturgeon months: May, June, and July for giant Columbia River Gorge sturgeon
- Best walleye months: January, February, April, and May
- Best winter steelhead months: December, January, and February
- Best Buoy 10 month: August
- Best Tillamook Bay Chinook month: October
- Best crabbing months: November and December
