Full Day Chinook & Steelhead Trip Lincoln City
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Eighthour guided fishing charter targeting Chinook salmon and steelheadProfessional guides provide all gear and drift boat accessSuitable for all skill levels including teenagers aged thirteen plus
Looking for a serious fishing adventure on Oregon's premier coastal rivers? Pete's Fishing & Guiding Adventures delivers exactly what Lincoln City anglers are after - a full eight-hour charter targeting the legendary Chinook salmon and winter steelhead that make these waters famous. You'll spend your day drifting the productive runs of the Siletz and Nestucca rivers, working the holes and gravel bars where these prized fish hold. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip - it's a legitimate chance to hook into some of Oregon's most sought-after gamefish with a guide who knows exactly where to find them.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are most active, especially during winter steelhead season. Pete runs a custom 17-foot fiberglass drift boat that's built for navigating Oregon's coastal rivers - shallow draft, responsive, and stable enough to fish comfortably all day. The beauty of drift boat fishing is you're constantly moving through new water, hitting the prime lies where steelhead and salmon rest between their upstream pushes. You'll launch on either the Siletz or Nestucca depending on conditions, water levels, and where the fish are showing. Both rivers have their own personality - the Siletz tends to be a bit more technical with tighter runs, while the Nestucca opens up with longer drifts and deeper pools. Your guide reads the water constantly, positioning the boat for perfect presentations to structure like fallen trees, undercut banks, and gravel tailouts where these fish love to hold.
This charter focuses on two proven methods that consistently produce fish on Oregon's coastal rivers - jigging and baitcasting. Jigging involves working lead-head jigs tipped with soft plastics or bait through the water column, mimicking injured baitfish or drifting eggs. It's deadly effective for both steelhead and salmon, especially in deeper holes where fish stage during cold water periods. Baitcasting typically means drift fishing with natural baits like cured salmon eggs, sand shrimp, or ghost shrimp under a float system. Your guide provides all the tackle - quality rods matched to the conditions, reels with smooth drags that can handle long steelhead runs, and a full selection of jigs, floats, weights, and terminal gear. The key is presentation - getting your offering down to the fish at the right depth while maintaining a natural drift. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques; your guide will coach you through everything from mending line to setting the hook when that float disappears or your rod tip pounds with a fish.
Winter steelhead are the stars of the show during the cooler months, typically running from December through March. These chrome-bright fish average 6 to 12 pounds, with the occasional bruiser pushing 15 pounds or more. What makes Oregon steelhead special is their fighting ability - they're fresh from the ocean, full of energy, and known for spectacular jumps and long, powerful runs that test your tackle and patience. The Siletz and Nestucca both host strong winter runs, with fish moving upstream on every significant rain event. Spring brings the Chinook salmon, and these are the fish that dreams are made of. Lincoln City area rivers see both wild and hatchery fish, with adults ranging from 15 to 40 pounds. A 20-pound spring Chinook is a fish of a lifetime for many anglers - they fight deep and hard, using their size and strength to test every component of your gear. Fall salmon runs add another dimension, with both Chinook and coho making their spawning runs when conditions align.
Winter steelhead represent the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest fishing, and for good reason. These sea-run rainbow trout spend 2-3 years in the ocean before returning to their natal rivers, and that ocean time transforms them into incredible athletes. Lincoln City's winter runs peak from January through February, though fish can be caught from late December into March. They're incredibly spooky and selective, which makes landing one such a rewarding experience. Steelhead prefer water temperatures between 38-48 degrees and move most actively during stable weather periods. When you hook a fresh steelhead, expect multiple jumps, long runs toward cover, and a fight that can last 10-15 minutes even on proper tackle.
Chinook salmon are the ultimate prize for serious salmon anglers, and Oregon's coastal rivers host some phenomenal runs. Spring Chinook typically arrive in March and April, moving through the system as water levels and temperatures become favorable. These fish are absolute bulldogs - they don't jump like steelhead, but they use their considerable weight to make deep, powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. A mature Chinook has incredible stamina and will use every piece of structure in the river to try breaking free. Fall Chinook runs usually peak in September and October, offering another shot at these magnificent fish. Both runs include wild and hatchery fish, and your guide knows the current regulations for retention - typically hatchery fish can be kept while wild salmon must be released.
At $250 per person for eight hours of guided fishing, this represents serious value for accessing some of Oregon's most productive steelhead and salmon water. You're not just paying for boat time - you're getting decades of local knowledge, quality gear, and positioning on fish that many anglers spend years trying to figure out on their own. The single-person booking format means you get completely personalized instruction and won't have to share prime fishing time with other anglers. Remember to secure your Oregon salmon and steelhead license with appropriate tags before your trip - this is required and your guide can't provide it. Winter and spring are prime times for this fishery, so book early to secure your preferred dates. Whether you're a seasoned steelheader looking to explore new water or someone ready
Our 17ft fiberglass drift boat from '83 is built tough for Oregon's demanding rivers. This classic vessel seats two comfortably but gives you plenty of elbow room for your solo adventure. The reliable Yamaha 8hp gets us between fishing holes quickly, then we switch to oars for that silent drift steelhead demand. Perfect for working the productive waters of the Siletz and Nestucca where these fish hold. The boat's low profile and stable design lets us get into tight spots other vessels can't reach, putting you right where the Chinook and winter steelhead are staging. Built specifically for river precision and those technical drifts that make the difference between going home empty-handed or with your limit.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, also called kings, are the heavyweights of our local rivers. Spring fish average 15-25 pounds, with some pushing 30+ pounds of pure muscle. These silver torpedoes with black-spotted backs prefer deeper holes and slower runs where they can rest during their spawning journey. Spring chinook hit the Siletz and Nestucca from April through June, while fall fish show up September through November. What draws anglers back is the combination of size, strength, and table quality - nothing beats fresh king salmon on the grill. They're light-sensitive, so they hug bottom structure during bright conditions. Pro tip: fish early morning or evening, and don't be afraid to get your bait down deep near the bottom where they're holding.
Oncorhynchus mykissWinter steelhead are sea-run rainbow trout that return to our coastal rivers after 2-3 years in the ocean. These chrome-bright fighters average 24-30 inches and pack serious muscle from their ocean feeding. You'll find them in deeper pools and runs with good cover - think boulders, wood, and undercut banks on the Siletz and Nestucca. Winter runs peak from December through March when higher water brings fresh fish upstream. What makes steelhead special is their raw power and aerial acrobatics - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like nothing else in these waters. The meat is firm and flavorful too. My tip: focus your drifts along the seam where fast water meets the slower stuff. That's where they sit to conserve energy while watching for food.
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