UTERChinook (king) salmon fishing in Oregon freshwater
In Oregon freshwater, Chinook (king) salmon peak April–May and September–October and are around March–November, spawning in October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Willamette springers at Oregon City.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Chinook (king) salmon in Oregon freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakWillamette springers at Oregon City.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustArriving
- SeptemberPeakCoastal-river fall chinook — the Rogue, the Nehalem, the Wilson.
- OctoberSpawning
- NovemberLeaving
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Chinook (king) salmon near Deschutes River, Willamette River, John Day River
Steelhead and salmon rivers, the Deschutes' redsides, the John Day's smallmouth, Columbia walleye and shad, and Cascade lakes.
What to use for Chinook (king) salmon
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 44–60°F water, best at 50–56°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Chinook (king) salmon in Oregon freshwater?
Peak season is April–May and September–October, with fish spawning in October (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Chinook (king) salmon are in Oregon freshwater March–November. April: Willamette springers at Oregon City.
Where do Chinook (king) salmon hold in Oregon freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake — around Deschutes River, Willamette River, John Day River, Rogue River, Crane Prairie, Columbia River.
What is the best bait for Chinook (king) salmon in Oregon freshwater?
Live bait: herring, anchovies (pacific), salmon eggs (roe). Herring: Cut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for Chinook (king) salmon in Oregon freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and change — read the current rule at https://myodfw.com/articles/oregon-fishing-hunting-regulations-and-updates before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info.
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