Your Guide to Columbia River Shad Fishing

There are many opportunities for catching shad in the Pacific Northwest, where you can find a lot of eager fighters and tough fighters. They are related to herring, making great game fish, and just like salmon and steelhead, they are anadromous. This means that they would spend most of their lives in the ocean before they go to freshwater rivers to spawn.

This is why Columbia River shad fishing is quite popular during spawn season. But that isn’t the only thing you should focus on. To get even more insight on how to catch shad in Columbia River, read on!

Columbia River Shad Fishing

American shad are Columbia River’s signature fish. While salmon and steelhead used to be the most prolific fish species in the area, their numbers reduced throughout the years. Compared to the 1-3 million from salmon and steelhead annual runs, shad would average in 4-5 million!

In fact, the US Geological Survey estimated between 10-20 million adult shad entering Columbia every year. And given the fact that shad isn’t native to Columbia, these are big numbers!

You can see why Columbia River shad fishing is quite popular with these numbers, being a favored game fish. So let’s dig into the shad facts and how you can fish for them in the Columbia River.

Where to Target Shad

Shad would swim close to the shores, usually within 30-45 feet of land. This makes them very accessible to bank fishers, though boaters parking in migration lanes. If you’re planning to hire a fishing charter, then I highly recommend that you go for inshore trips when catching shad.

The typical spots shad should target would be below wing jetties, rocks, among other covers giving shad a break from currents.

You’ll find shad in varying depths, depending on where you are fishing for them. In Columbia River, you’ll usually find shad around 5-20 feet deep, with the depth varying even further based on environmental conditions like the currents and sunlight.

This is why you need to identify the depth and locations shad would be running in certain spots of the Columbia River.

When to Target Shad

The shad spawn season at varying times, and this depends on the location. Warm water would spur shad on, so you can expect shad to spawn earlier up north.

The best time to fish for shad is a few hours before dark, though fishing any time of the day is still productive.

Take note that shad don’t feed during the spawning process. Because of this, treat shad as you would treat salmon, inciting a strikeout of annoyance. You can do this by bright-colored casting shad darts and/or crappie jig heads.

During overcast days, you can target shad in shallower waters, sometimes resting behind breaks or in pools. During clear and sunny weather, they tend to hold closer to the bottom, even in deeper waters, as a way to avoid direct sunlight. They have a light aversion, which is why morning and evening fishing, as well as overcast days, will give you more chances of catching shad.

For bright and sunny days, target shad by fishing 15 feet or so deep, again depending on the location, among other environmental factors.

Specifically, in the Columbia River, the target areas would be right below any obstructions. Before the dams of Columbia River, shad would stack up in thick schools before they climb fish ladders.

Take note that shad spawn may coincide with salmon fishing, and as mentioned, it’s best to treat shad as you would with salmon. This may mean that you might end up catching salmon instead of shad. While this is great, you’ll have to take note of the restrictions and regulations when catching both salmon and shad.

Catching Shad

As said before, shad do not actively feed in freshwater. They will stop their feeding cycles as they leave the ocean, only striking if annoyed or seeing something like food.

This is why using lures such as shad darts from your boat or shore delivers positive results.

Another tip is to target schools of shad and follow it, so you can catch shad all day long! If you already know where the schools pass during migration, set up in that area so you won’t wait too long for them to come in.

As for the gear, use a fishing rod with a 6-12 pound test with lures or hooks that are about 1 to 1/0 in size.

Columbia River Shad Fishing on Boats

Are you planning on hiring a fishing charter to fish in the Columbia River? Here are some quick tips on how to go boat fishing for shad:

It’s best to work with lures when casting from boats, as it would be easier to find schools, moving with them, or parking in travel lanes.

One simple setup is by attaching a 3-way swivel to the mainline and connect a 4-foot leader to one loop and your spoon or lure. Then, place a 2-foot dropper line that has enough weight based on current conditions, lowering your setup to the bottom, right behind the anchored boat.

Doing this will have your lure do the work as it moves through the current. When a school of shad comes in, you’ll then come across fast action. That said, prepare a light or medium-action fishing rods, such as a bass or trout fishing rod.

Wrapping It Up

There is so much to learn about shad fishing, from what shad are down to the gear and techniques to use when in the Columbia River. If you want to make your experience an even more memorable one, consider getting a fishing charter for higher chances of catching shad. That way, you are more focused on having fun fishing and learning more about catching Columbia River shad!

I hope you learned a lot about how to go shad fishing in Columbia River successfully. Keep this information in mind once you start planning your trip to Oregon and have a fun experience!

A Helpful Guide to Columbia River Walleye Fishing

The Columbia River is known for its amazing fishing opportunities, from sturgeon to walleye! Walleye is very popular in the area, with many anglers believing that the next world record of the largest number of walleye would be from the Columbia River. This fish species is well sought out not just because they are plentiful, but because they taste great when cooked well.

So it won’t be a surprise if you’re looking to catch a few walleye yourself, whether you’re a beginner or advanced fisherman. Read on to learn all about Columbia River Walleye fishing!

Columbia River Walleye Fishing

To successfully go Columbia River walleye fishing, you have to learn all about the fish species, techniques, and where to catch it in the area. Check out the facts to learn about below.

About the Walleye

The walleye fish are found in Columbia, Snake, and Willamette rivers. They prefer clean, cold, and large lakes and rivers that have gravel or sand bottoms.

The larger walleyes would mostly live in areas where fish are mostly available, though they would also feed on crayfish, frogs, snails, among other food sources. Younger walleye would feed on zooplankton until they shift to various other types of food sources.

The eye colors of the walleye would vary, but they are usually dark olive-brown on the top while being almost white under. They have 2 dorsal fins that are well separated, with the first having a large black spot at the rear. Walleye have opaque eyes, hence the species name, and prominent features such as canine teeth.

The Fishing Technique

Fortunately, walleye gear isn’t complex, though there would be a time and place for every method.

It’s best to fish for them through trolling slowly, using either a small minnow or worm spinner combo, plugs, spoons, or just plain spinners. You can also try to cast then slowly retrieve night crawlers nearing the bottom.

Another method is to troll in downstream directions slightly quicker than the currents. This can have you locate walleye when scattered. If possible, you can try nighttime trolling using a harness to pull in bigger walleye.

When you have found a school of walleye biters, you may switch to a vertical presentation. When doing so, use blade baits or lead head jigs. Use the lightest jig head you can as you maintain bottom contact, also using a taut-line to feel any nips. There are different colors to choose from, but the best ones are white or chartreuse for better visibility as you go deeper.

When You Should Fish for Walleye

You can fish for walleye all year long, though it’s best to fish during the winter!

Typically, early walleye fishing would begin in March until April, as this is pre-spawn. Avoid May, as this is during the main spawn and walleye will be less active. The same would go for June and July.

There will be a ton of juvenile shad that migrates from the Pacific Ocean come August to September. This would make foraging easy so the fish won’t care about the bait anglers would throw-in.

Once fall season begins, ideally October, that’s when you get nicer walleye fishing days. Big fish like walleye, salmon, and steelhead would begin moving up towards Columbia, so you’ll have a lot of fishing opportunities!

Where to Find Walleye

These fish are nocturnal feeders and would move inshore at dusk frequently, feeding in schools. They are usually found along the edges of drop-offs. You can also find them in the mouths of tributary streams, which is where cold water would enter. Since they’ve got eyes made for low-light vision, walleye would stay in deeper waters and/or weedier areas come daytime.

Take note that Columbia River is quite windy, so the water may get rough in a snap. When using smaller boats on vast waters, be careful and give yourself time to return to launch rather than try to hurry and panic!

To avoid getting lost or risking your safety on a small boat, you may want to hire a fishing charter to navigate across the Columbia River. The professional crew will be able to settle in an area where you can find walleye, even providing equipment and tips on how to get a successful catch!

Columbia River Fishing Regulations

Now that you’re familiar with Columbia River walleye fishing, the next question is: what are the rules and regulations you should know about?

Here are notable rules and limitations when fishing for walleye in the Columbia River:

1. The area is open to fish for warm water species all year long, and this includes walleye. As of writing, there aren’t any bag limits for walleye, though you should not use live fish as fresh bait.
2. You must have a valid fishing license either from Oregon or Washington. If you are fishing in tributaries, slopes, and/or other similar waters outside the main river, you need a license from the state you are fishing in.
3. Always stay updated about the changing rules and bag limits not only for walleye but for other species you plan to catch in the Columbia River. You can find it in the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, you learned a lot about how to go walleye fishing in the Columbia River. With the proper techniques and knowledge of this fish species, you can catch them successfully and bring one or two home for your next meal. You can heighten the chance of a catch with a fishing guide who can show you where and how to fish in the Columbia River!

If you’re planning to go Columbia River Walleye fishing soon, then make sure that you get a reputable fishing charter! Let us guide you around the waters and give you the best experience, contact us now for a quotation. Happy fishing!

What to Learn About Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

Columbia River is known for the many fishing opportunities there are for various species, especially sturgeons. The area offers one of the best sturgeon fishing experiences on the West Coast! However, sturgeon numbers have declined throughout the years, due to sea lion predation and food source reduction.

In response to the decreasing population, the lower section below the Bonneville Dam was closed for sturgeon retention back in 2014. Not to worry though, as Columbia River sturgeon fishing is still very much alive!

Read on as I show you an informative guide on how to fish for sturgeon in the Columbia River.

Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

There is much to learn about Columbia River Sturgeon fishing, which is an exciting activity all anglers are aiming for when in the area. Check out the facts you should know when you’re targeting sturgeon in Columbia River below!

The White Sturgeon and Columbia River

If you aren’t familiar with the white sturgeon, they are the world’s largest freshwater fish! This is considered as a prehistoric and primitive fish, having large bony plates, long and flat snouts, as well as deep-forked tails.

All the sturgeon you’ll find in Columbia River are white sturgeons. These are monster fish preying on the bottom of the river as they migrate from the Bonneville Dam to Astoria.

These fish are bottom feeders, so when you fish for them, it’s best to anchor the boat and use fresh bait. They have 4 barbels nearing the snouts, which is used for feeling and smelling.

You can expect to catch sturgeons that weigh more than 100 pounds from April to September. Furthermore, these fish can grow up to 15 feet long and live up to 150 years old, so expect a challenge!

When hooked, these monsters would usually jump repeatedly, so ready your strength and fishing skills.

This is why Columbia River is extremely popular, thanks to the white sturgeons, also known as the Monsters of thee River. There are even trophy sturgeons that are 7-12 feet long, weighing anything between 150-1000 pounds!

When you fight and reel in fish this large, you’ll need more than 100 yards of fishing line out within mere seconds. And if you do catch it, it will take about an hour just to get it on the boat! Exhilarating, isn’t it?

Tips on Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing

If you plan on trying to catch sturgeon, here are a few helpful tips you can follow:

• Huge white sturgeon would bite various baits. Fishing guides recommend using anchovies, squid, and sand shrimp. Smelt and shad also make great bait when they begin running, depending on the season.
• In Columbia River, the sturgeon’s favorite feeding ground is in the estuary. This is because it has a ton of bait fish, shrimp, worms, among other food sources that these monster fish love. It’s best to fish around the shallow areas of the Desdemona Sands.
• Look for holes around the vast flats and opt to fish during smaller tides. Besides the estuary, you’ll want to try going to Baker Bay.
• This is a pretty strong fish, so make sure that you use robust equipment, from your fishing rods down to the line. Opt for muskie gear and/or the strongest freshwater gear you have, as sturgeons will fight, and these fights can last for an hour or so! With heavy gear, you can pull in sturgeon quicker and put less stress on the fish, which will be better for releasing.
• When a sturgeon does bite, they won’t hammer and it would actually be a subtle bite with swimming weight or taps. You don’t need to use hard hook sets with circle hooks. Instead, tighten your line through reeling, then moving the rod away from the sturgeon.

The Columbia River Zone Regulations

Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the rules and regulations when going Columbia River Sturgeon fishing! One thing you should remember is that they are catch0and-release fish. This was implemented to help with the sturgeon populations.

These are a few of the notable rules and regulations to take note of:

1. Oregon and Washington resident and non-resident fishing licenses are valid, unless the state’s season is closed. Anglers who aren’t Washington residents should carry a valid Oregon angling or shellfish license when they are landing fish and/or taking shellfish by boat in the area.
2. Anglers can only have one daily catch limit for all fish species when fishing in the Columbia River, even if they are licensed in either Oregon or Washington. Furthermore, there is a restriction of one annual catch limit of white sturgeon.
3. You may only keep white sturgeon that measures 44-50 inches, measuring from their nose tip down to their tail.

You can learn more about the different regulations of the state and in Columbia River here, as they also have exceptions to the rules! It’s also best to hire a fishing charter and fishing guide to take you around Columbia River as they are knowledgeable on the rules and can also help you land a couple of fish.

Sturgeon Fishing Post-Pandemic

Are you a bit iffy about Columbia River sturgeon fishing amid the pandemic, not to worry! Sturgeon fishing has opened since May 10, 2021, in the Columbia River estuary. They are open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Wauna power lines. Take note that it will close every 2PM.

However, do watch out for emergency rule updates and news about Columbia River sturgeon fishing here!

Wrapping It Up

When fishing for sturgeons in Columbia River, you will need to make sure that you follow the proper rules and regulations! Also, you may want to charter an experienced fishing guide with you to help you increase your chances of getting a catch. That way, you’ll have a fun and memorable experience as you go on catching sturgeons!

Did you learn a lot about Columbia River sturgeon fishing? I sure hope you did! Don’t wait any longer and plan your trip to the Columbia River for fishing opportunities and contact us for fishing charters or guides for a fun experience!

How to Best Prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye

When in the Columbia River, you might catch a walleye or two, along with many other types of fish! They are pretty popular around the area and are best to target between the spring and summer months, during the warmer days. If you caught your trophy and plan to show it off during your next meal with family and friends, the question is: How do you cook it?

The options are limitless! If you want a unique and delicious dish to impress everyone with your cooking and fishing skills, read on! I’ll be showing you how to best prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye with these 3 easy and yummy recipes.

How to Best Prepare Fresh Columbia River Walleye

The Columbia River is one of the most popular areas for walleye fishing. As long as you follow the rules and regulations when fishing for walleye, you can bring home fish to prepare as a dish! And of course, you have to know when to go, as well as the techniques and gear to use when fishing for walleye.

What’s amazing about the walleye is that there are so many ways to prepare it! Here are some of the yummy recipes when you want to prepare fresh Columbia River walleye:

Northern Fingers

If you want a nice snack for the kids (or even adults) to enjoy, then Northern Fingers are something to munch on! Pair this recipe with fries to make fish and chips to make a meal out of it.

Here are the ingredients:

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 900 grams of skinless walleye fillets
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 ¼ cups of salted pretzels
• 3 tablespoons of hot sauce
• 3 tablespoons of beer

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Put the salted pretzels in a Ziploc bag, breaking them until they are finely crushed crumbs.
2. In a bowl, beat the 2 eggs, bear, and sauce using a fork until it is mixed well.
3. Cut your walleye filets into 1-inch wide strips, then pat it dry with tissue.
4. Dip the walleye strips into the egg mixture and place it in the bag with the pretzel crumbs. Shake the bag until the walleye strips are covered completely.
5. Pour vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet, pouring until it is ¼-inch full. Heat the oil in medium-high heat.
6. Add your walleye strips, cooking for at least 3 minutes until it is golden brown. Flip the strips just once.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy with a dip and fries, or any other favorite siding of yours!

Crispy Baked Walleye

You will love this recipe if you love the taste of crispy breaded fish without needing to fry it! It’s a bit healthier and you still have the same crunch as deep-fried fish.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1/3 cup of dry bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup of potato flakes
• 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
• 4 walleye fillets (4 ounces each)

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Grease a baking sheet.
3. In a bowl, beat the water and eggs together until it is a smooth mixture, and set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the bread crumbs, potato flakes, parmesan cheese, and seasoned salt together until mixed well.
5. Dip your walleye fillets in the egg mixture, and then press it to the bread crumb mixture.
6. Place your prepared walleye fillets on the greased baking sheet.
7. Bake the fillets in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. You will know the fish is ready when it is opaque in the middle, flaking easily using a fork.
8. Serve with sauce and your favorite side dish. Enjoy!

Hot Walleye Dip

Besides frying and baking walleye, did you know that you can make it into a dip as well? This tastes delicious and goes well with chips or even used as a spread for sandwiches and on bread for appetizers!

Here are the ingredients:

• 340 grams of walleye
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of hot sauce
• ¼ cup of green onion, chopped
• ¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ cup of bread crumbs
• 1 cup of parmesan cheese

These are the instructions to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt your butter, adding the chopped onions and walleye after. Cook this mixture for around 5 minutes, or when the walleye are cooked.
3. Using a spatula, flake your walleye then stir the butter and onion together. Set this aside.
4. Mix your cream cheese with mayonnaise and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Then, add the lemon juice, paprika, parsley, and hot sauce. Stir this mixture well.
5. Press your cream cheese mixture in a baking dish or pie pan. Add the walleye flakes on top of your cream cheese mixture, pressing it with the cooked onions.
6. Top it off with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, as well as a pinch of paprika.
7. Bake this at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or once you see it hot and bubbling.
8. Take it out of the oven and serve with bread and/or chips. Enjoy!

Wrapping It Up

Catching walleye is fun, especially when you’re on a fishing charter learning the ropes. Do you know what else is just as fun? Cooking it and showing off your catch and delicious dish to family and friends right after!

Hope you got a ton of inspiration and ideas from these yummy recipes you can make with walleye! If you’ve caught walleye or plan to catch it when in the Columbia River, keep these meals in mind to try out once you get to the kitchen.

Why Charter an Experienced Fishing Guide on the Willamette River

The Columbia River is one of the most popular fishing destinations for locals and those heading to Oregon. However, that’s not the only area where you can get awesome catches with stunning views! For those who want something more unique, then you’ll want to head to Willamette River.

It’s a small yet amazing destination without anglers having to sacrifice the fish species diversity from the Columbia River. And if you want to make the most of your fishing trip there, I highly recommend chartering an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River.

But why, exactly? Read on as I show you why to charter an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River!

Why Charter an Experienced Fishing Guide on the Willamette River

You’re probably wondering – Why bother chartering a fishing guide when you can go fishing on your own? Here are just some of the reasons why you should be with a fishing guide on the Willamette River:

They know everything you need to learn

Fishing guides know how to fish, from how to use the equipment down to the techniques to follow to catch certain species. Whether you’re a beginner or expert in fishing, you will learn new things from the guide and get to improve your skills. These new lessons will be put to great use not only for the day but for the future fishing trips to come!

Furthermore, fishing guides are well-knowledgeable of the fishing rules and regulations of Oregon. They know the limits of how many fish you can catch in a day and they will make sure you both don’t break any rules that can risk your fishing licenses (and hefty fees).

Navigate the waters with a pro

If you are new to Willamette River, even if it’s a smaller body of water compared to other areas, it can still be overwhelming for newbies.

This is where fishing guides come along, guiding you throughout the waters and taking you to specific areas for a sure catch! They know where the fish are based on the weather, current, water temperature, among other factors. They will also know how to navigate the waters like a pro, so you can just focus on relaxing and readying your gear to start catching fish!

This will take away to hassle of having to multitask and maneuver a boat as you fish. Furthermore, you’re ensured that you’ll be in an area where fish are most likely staying, rather than getting lost or wasting time in places with no fishing opportunities.

Plus, your fishing guide can teach you a thing or two about navigating the waters and where to find fish to catch.

Find various fish species (and a sure catch!)

There are so many different types of fish you can catch when in the Willamette River, such as:

• Salmon
• Trout
• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass

If you aren’t familiar with these fish species, your fishing guide will teach you all about what they are and how to catch them. You’ll have more variety on the fish you’ll catch and get a sure bite to reel in with someone guiding you along the way!

Experienced company and great service

Besides all of the services mentioned above, one of the best benefits a fishing guide can provide is their company! Who wouldn’t want to be with experts who share the same interests as you do?

You’ll have a fishing guide that will be with you, whether alone or with a group. He’ll teach you the ropes and you’ll have insightful conversations throughout the trip! While it may be fun to fish alone, you’d want to have someone who can give you some tips or to just keep you company as you wait to get that bite.

There are a lot of guides available in Oregon

Are you hesitant to hire a guide because you believe it’s hard to find one? In Oregon, that isn’t the case! There are a lot of fishing charters and fishing guides out there ready to assist you and take you out fishing in your chosen area. Because Oregon is known for recreational fishing, there are many businesses catering to providing guides and charters to help beginner and expert anglers

That said, it can be a bit confusing knowing which fishing guide and charter is good for you and your group. You will need to choose wisely and do your research, asking about packages and quotations. You can start here with us at Pastime Fishing Adventures, where we can give you quotations and packages suitable for your group!

Hire a Fishing Charter

Besides an experienced fishing guide, you should also consider a fishing charter. With an excellent fishing charter company to take you on the Willamette River, your trip will be more fun and convenient! This is great for those who are fishing on the Willamette River for the first time, or if you’ll be with a large group of family and/or friends

No need to rent a boat and a guide necessary! Besides this, fishing charters will usually have a professional crew and a fishing guide to show you the ropes. You’ll also have all the necessary equipment on board, along with other facilities everyone will enjoy.

Wrapping It Up

The Willamette River is an amazing body of water with diverse fish species you can catch! If you’d like to get a headstart on fishing escapades, then it’s best to hire an experienced guide to navigate the waters with you. You can reap many of the advantages an experienced guide offers, including a sure catch and many lessons learned. 

Hopefully, you learned a lot about why you should charter an experienced fishing guide on the Willamette River! If you’re looking for reputable fishing guides or a fishing charter to take you out to the waters, don’t hesitate to contact us now.