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Guide to Columbia Gorge Fishing Seasons

Here in the Columbia River Gorge, we have an abundance of water and plenty of fishing opportunities throughout the year. Whether you are interested in steelhead, trout, bass, carp, or lake fishing, there is almost always something worth chasing.

We often get asked what is fishing well at different times of the year, so this seasonal guide is designed to help you plan your next trip to the Gorge and surrounding waters.

Important: Fishing seasons, closures, hatchery rules, salmon and steelhead regulations, and emergency rule changes can vary by river, state, and date. Always check the current Oregon and Washington regulations before you fish. ODFW posts 2026 regulation updates, and WDFW maintains its 2025-2026 sport fishing rules along with emergency rule changes.

January / February

January and February are prime months for winter steelhead, especially for anglers swinging or nymphing Oregon and Washington coastal rivers. Focus on rivers as they drop after a storm. This is often when fish are most active and conditions begin to come into shape.

Avoid fishing when rivers are blown out, extremely high, or running very low and clear. The best winter steelhead conditions usually happen on the drop, when color, flow, and visibility line up.

Rivers with hatchery programs, especially those with early-returning Chambers Creek strain steelhead, can see fish as early as November, with January often being a strong month. The North Fork Nehalem and Wilson River are good early-season Oregon options. Washington rivers such as the East Fork Lewis, Washougal, Cowlitz, and Kalama can also fish well, particularly moving into February.

Summer steelhead may still be found in rivers such as the John Day, Grande Ronde, and Umatilla. Above The Dalles Dam, any steelhead is generally considered a summer-run fish regardless of the season.

Trout fishing on the Deschutes can be excellent this time of year. Despite cold temperatures, large redbands may be found sipping BWOs in eddies or chasing sculpin patterns. The Maupin section downstream remains open and offers solitude, scenery, and quality winter trout fishing.

The Metolius and Crooked Rivers are also solid winter trout options. Small midge and BWO nymphs are effective, and anglers willing to sight-fish on the Metolius can be rewarded with impressive, hard-fighting trout.

Lakes, Bass, and Carp

Mountain lake fishing is limited during a typical winter season. Many high-elevation lakes become inaccessible, snowed in, or frozen until spring.

Smallmouth bass and carp can be difficult in winter. Fish are often spread out, deep, and hard to locate. If you are going anyway, sinking lines with streamers, crayfish patterns, or baitfish imitations are a reasonable approach. In cold water, getting the fly down and fishing slowly is often the name of the game.

Winter Smallmouth

Smallmouth can be unpredictable in winter. There can be surprisingly good days followed by days that feel like a total mystery. It helps to know areas with reliable smallmouth habitat. These fish will eat all winter, but feeding windows can be short.

Midday often offers the best opportunity, especially when water temperatures have had time to bump up slightly. The bite can be light and difficult to detect. Slow-stripped streamers or crawfish patterns fished on or near bottom are usually the best approach. Keep contact with the fly and stay alert for subtle movement. Winter smallmouth fishing is rarely easy, but anglers who stick with it can find some of their best fish of the year.

Winter Carp

Carp are tough to find in winter. Since carp fishing is often a sight-fishing game, you need calm, sunny conditions to have a realistic chance. In the right situation, they may move into the shallows, but it is uncommon. The general rule still applies: if you can find them, you have a chance to catch them.

The Klickitat River is closed until June 1.

March / April

March and April are peak winter steelhead months. Many coastal rivers fish well during this window, especially after spring rain brings rivers up and they begin to drop back into shape.

Local Oregon favorites include the Wilson, Nestucca, Alsea, and Siletz. Columbia tributaries such as the Sandy and Clackamas can also be productive.

Washington rivers including the East Fork Lewis and Washougal may produce, but always check current regulations before planning a trip. Closures and rule changes are common on Washington tributaries, especially for salmon and steelhead fisheries.

Olympic Peninsula rivers such as the Hoh and Sol Duc are legendary this time of year, while Oregon coastal streams offer plenty of lesser-known but rewarding winter steelhead opportunities.

The Deschutes continues to fish well for trout. Stormy days can bring excellent BWO hatches, while March Browns and Skwala stones may excite fish on warmer afternoons. Nymphing a stonefly and mayfly combination is a reliable approach, and swinging streamers can also be effective.

In Eastern Washington, April means lake season is ramping up. Columbia Basin lakes can produce large, hungry trout during this window. Lenice, Nunnally, Sun Lakes, and the Potholes area are all worth considering. Chironomids and slow-stripped or slow-trolled buggers are go-to patterns.

Closer to home, mountain lakes such as Timothy, Lost Lake, Clear, Kingsley, and Trillium begin to come into play as snow melts. Access may remain limited until later in spring, so check road and snow conditions before heading out.

Smallmouth bass fishing improves in April as fish begin moving toward shallow, rocky areas. The Columbia River and Yakima River can both be good spring producers when conditions line up.

May / June

May and June are prime months for trout fishing, and even devoted steelheaders may find themselves tempted by prolific hatches and active fish.

The Deschutes becomes a dry-fly destination as Salmonflies and Golden Stones hatch. Nymph early, then switch to dries as bugs become active and fish start looking up. Focus efforts from Maupin up toward Pelton, but do not overlook lower sections where the hatch often starts earlier.

The Klickitat technically opens June 1 for summer steelhead, but it often runs too high or dirty to fish well early in the season. The Sandy, Clackamas, Washougal, and Lewis can produce early summer fish by late May and early June, depending on flows and current regulations.

Spring Chinook, often called “springers,” show up in the Hood and Klickitat rivers and occasionally in the Wind. These fish are difficult to catch on flies, so bait and hardware are more commonly used.

Lake fishing can be excellent. Lost Lake, Laurence Lake, and Goose Lake all fish well as trout feed on chironomids, Callibaetis, and damselflies. The Hex hatch at Merrill Lake in late June is a legendary event for anglers hoping to find big dry-fly eats.

Smallmouth bass are often shallow and aggressive during this period. The Columbia and John Day Rivers offer excellent opportunities with poppers, streamers, and baitfish patterns.

Tiger muskie anglers should look toward Evergreen, Merwin, and Mayfield Lakes. Use wire leader, large streamers, and realistic expectations. These apex predators do not come easy.

Carp start cruising the shallows in spring and early summer. Sight-fishing with subtle, well-placed flies can be both maddening and rewarding.

July / August

Summer fishing in the Gorge is all about adapting. As temperatures rise, high mountain lakes, shaded streams, early mornings, and evening sessions become increasingly important.

Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests are full of lakes and creeks that offer dry-fly fishing, solitude, and beautiful scenery. Trout Lake Creek, Oak Grove Fork, Eagle Creek, and the East Fork Hood River are all worth exploring when conditions are right.

Lost Lake remains productive through summer, especially in the mornings and evenings. Use sinking lines during the heat of the day, then look for opportunities with leeches, Callibaetis dries, and other shallow-water presentations when fish move in.

Summer steelhead begin entering the Deschutes and Klickitat in July, with fishing generally improving toward late August as temperatures cool and flows stabilize. Expect hot conditions in the canyon. Start early, fish late, and pay close attention to water temperature and fish handling.

For stillwater steelhead opportunities, Drano Lake and the Herman Creek area near Cascade Locks can be worth a look. August is an important passage window for Columbia River steelhead, and these areas can be effective, especially for anglers fishing from boats or float tubes.

Smallmouth bass fishing can be excellent through summer on the Columbia, John Day, and other warmwater areas. Poppers, streamers, crayfish patterns, and baitfish flies can all be effective depending on light, water temperature, and fish location.

Carp fishing also remains a strong summer option when conditions are calm enough for sight-fishing. Look for tailing fish, cruising fish, and muds in shallow flats or backwater areas.

Final Thoughts

With the wide variety of fisheries available, there is rarely a bad time to explore what the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Trout, steelhead, bass, carp, lakes, small streams, and nearby coastal rivers all create opportunities throughout the year.

Conditions can change quickly, so check current regulations, river flows, weather, and access before you go. Be ready to adjust your plan, because in the Gorge, just about anything can happen on the water.

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