Everything You Need to Know About Columbia River King Salmon Fishing

Are you planning on going Columbia River King Salmon fishing? You’re probably wondering how to go about it to increase the chances of successful catches. But before you get there, there are things you need to know about to get the best chances of getting a king salmon for yourself.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Columbia River King Salmon fishing for your next trip!

About the Columbia River King Salmon

I know how challenging it can be trying to score a Columbia River King Salmon, especially if you’re new to this! That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though.

Before we get into effective fishing tips, let’s first talk about the king salmon.

King Salmon is a favorite for recreational fishers, also called the Chinook Salmon. It is known by other names as well, such as the blackmouth, quinnat, or the chub. Furthermore, they are known to be powerful fish, weighing more than 14 kilograms.

These fish would spawn in the large rivers of Alaska and California, though you may also find them in streams in the BC and Yukon. Production and spawning would occur in major river streams usually, including the Columbia River.

After the eggs hatched, king salmon would stay in freshwater, with the duration depending on water temperature. In southern locations, some king salmon will migrate after spending 3 months in freshwater, while others stay for up to 1 year. In northern areas, king salmon would spend at least 1 year in freshwater.

Since they are large and in coastal waters, they are a favorite prey for killer whales, with many commercial and recreational fishermen catching them, too. They are usually caught by hook and line fisheries, chasing and biting lures or baited hooks that are trolled through waters.

That said, they are an unusual Pacific salmon species, as the color of adult flesh would range from white to pink, until a deep red. They have a dark back and green-blue sheen, but they darken when spawning in freshwater, having reddish fins and belly.

Guide to Columbia River King Salmon Fishing

If you don’t know it yet, the Columbia River is the biggest one in the American West. Its grand size comes great fishing opportunities, which is why you find a ton of people fishing for King Salmon.

Catching king salmon isn’t as easy as 1-2-3 though. While fairly easy, it requires skill and the right fishing equipment. That said, here are helpful tips you can follow to catch king salmon in the Columbia River.

Use 360 Flashers

This tool was introduced a few years ago, which is different compared to the classic flashers. As the name suggests, this lure would rotate in a circle, with the purpose of increasing the area it’s presented. Besides that, it would also function as a standard flasher with various colors available to catch the light for attracting fish.

You may want to use this for better chances of attracting more king salmon. That said, be sure to use these flashers only when you are trolling.

Stack Wobblers

Wobblers are a classic lire for salmon, so this is a pretty helpful tip. Use two or three on the line rather than just one.

The common technique for bank anglers or expert boat fishers is to use 2-3 different wobbler colors or styles. This increases the odds of getting a catch.

Keep the distance between lures by at least 2 feet, lowering your line slowly. If you are a boat angler, you may want to consider using floats when the currents are slow.

Focus on Tide Turns

The Columbia River would be affected by the Pacific Ocean. When tides rise and fall, the river would experience the same until Bonneville Dam. Such changes in currents will agitate or inform king salmon and other fish, which would cause them to become more aggressive.

When the tide rises, salmon would ride the incoming water or slow currents and make their way upriver. When it falls, the fish would either go down near the bottom or go to the seas.

Invest in a tide chart and pay full attention to any tide changes. If there are tide changes, fish would make decisions, with slack or change tide being more productive fishing hours.

Try Dead Drifting

If you are fishing above the Bonneville Dam, the tides won’t affect the river. However, this will also be where you can find a lot of fishing opportunities, including those for king salmon.

From the Cascade Locks and above, this river is tamed and is now a series of lakes. To fish here successfully, head to the river or creek mouths. When the spring sun arrives, the fish will pause near river mouths, confirming where their home stream is. During the summer and fall run, the areas are havens to protect fish from warm water the dam creates.

From this area, anglers would use cured salmon eggs, which have dead drifted near bottoms. However, never take your eyes far off rivers, as the bites tend to be subtle. When you are hooked and it is salmon, expect bent rods and screaming reels.

Use Tuna Fish as Bait

There are reputable bait sellers popular in the area. It is best to use tuna fish, filling molded plastic lures with bait or scent. Tuna is a local favorite, which salmon are very attracted to. You can use this bait and troll it with regular or 360 flashers.

It’s best to use tuna as bait during the fall, though they are also effective during the spring and summer runs.

Wrapping It Up

There are a ton of fish you can find when fishing in the Columbia River, including the king salmon. With the right tips and strategies, you can achieve a few catches and even explore the many other fish species.

Hopefully, this article gave insight on Columbia River king salmon fishing. Utilize these tips and strategies so you can get sure catches and more salmon fishing opportunities now.