Mid Columbia River Fishing Adventures

Salmon Fishing Report
a group of four people holding up king salmon at buoy 10 in astoria oregon
Coho Salmon Fishing in the Columbia

Mid Columbia River Guided Fishing Trips

Looking for the ultimate fishing adventure on the Columbia River?

If you’re looking to have a great Chinook and Coho Salmon fishing experience, the Mid-Columbia River is where it’s at! The area extends from Bonneville Dam all the way up through John Day Dam and there are some hot spots along the way.

Spring Fishing:

We are excited to announce that the highly anticipated fishing season at Drano Lake will start from April 20th to May 20th! This year, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife predicts a massive run of 8,000 Spring Kings making their way to Drano Lake.

Drano Lake is known for its unique terminal fishery, which means there are abundant harvestable fish available. Currently, the limit is set at 1 spring King, but with such a promising run, it is highly likely that the limit will be raised to 2. To learn more please visit Drano Lake Fishing Report.

Fall Fishing:

Join us this September for an unforgettable fall Chinook fishing experience on the scenic Columbia River near The Dalles, OR. We’ll be casting our lines at the mouth of the Deschutes River, where an abundance of over 500,000 Chinook and over 500,000 Coho await this year!

The Deschutes River offers a serene haven of cold water for migrating salmon to rest and rejuvenate before their onward journey upstream. Here, you’ll find remarkable chrome-bright fish that not only offer a thrilling catch but also boast exceptional cutting quality. Enjoy the thrill of landing two salmon—one majestic Chinook and one stunning Coho, or opt for two Cohos.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, consider the welcoming accommodations in The Dalles, Rufus, or Bigg Junction. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience—book your adventure from September 1st to October 1st.

Sturgeon Fishing on the Columbia River

Get ready for the start of fishing season in Rufus, Oregon!

Beginning January 1st, it’s all about Sturgeon with our Columbia fishing guides working hard to land what we affectionately call “Columbia River Gold.” Once that quota is met, we go after spring Chinook and Walleye, now that takes skill. So, book your fishing adventure with Reel Time Fishing and let’s go have some fun!

Walleye are the ling cod of fresh water – simply the best tasting freshwater fish you can catch. Once the Spring Chinook shows up, we will put down the walleye rods and pick up the salmon gear. This area can be a great Chinook fishing adventure if you are with the right guides. There are hot spots where you need to be or else you will just be “fishing” all day. Visit our Rufus or John Day Dam pages to learn more about these fisheries.

mid columbia river sturgeon fishing

Our Amazing Fishing Guide Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about our fishing trips

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I BRING ON MY TRIP?

The legal max boatload is six anglers, but with six full time guides available we are able to accommodate large groups of more than six people.

IS LUNCH/DRINKS PROVIDED ON MY TRIPS?

We do provide a BBQ lunch and drinks on all Clearwater, Snake, and Dworshak trips. Lunch and drinks ARE NOT provided on any of our Columbia River or Grande Ronde river trips.

HOW MANY HOURS ARE WE ON THE WATER?

Look forward to at least 8 hours of fishing unless you book a half day trip, then look forward to 4 hours of fishing

DO YOU PROVIDE ALL THE GEAR WE NEED TO FISH?

Yes, each guide is fully equipped with top-notch rods, reels and bait to ensure success on your trip.

DO I NEED TO PRE-PAY OR PLACE A DEPOSIT DOWN TO HOLD MY SPOT?

We require a 50% deposit at the time of booking, final payment must be made in full 10 days prior to your trip. We do not offer refunds for cancellations or head-count changes made inside 10 days of your trip.

DO YOU CLEAN AND FILLET OUR CATCH?

Yes, all of our guides will clean and fillet your catch unless otherwise specified.