8 Hour Salmon Fishing on Mid-Columbia River
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Fullday salmon fishing on MidColumbia River watersTarget steelhead and Coho with experienced Captain JeffSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests
Looking for a full-day salmon fishing adventure that'll test your skills and maybe land you the catch of a lifetime? Captain Jeff with Premier Guide Service knows exactly where to find the fish on Oregon's Mid-Columbia River. This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – we're talking about eight solid hours targeting some of the most sought-after salmon species in the Pacific Northwest. With just three anglers max per trip, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference between going home with stories and going home with dinner.
Captain Jeff has been working these waters long enough to know where the salmon are holding, and trust me, that local knowledge is worth its weight in fish. The Mid-Columbia River system offers some of the most productive salmon fishing in Eastern Oregon, especially when you know the right holes, current breaks, and seasonal patterns. You'll spend the day moving between proven spots, adjusting techniques based on what the fish are telling us, and learning why this stretch of river has earned its reputation among serious anglers. The scenery doesn't hurt either – towering canyon walls and pristine waters that remind you why you started fishing in the first place. Don't worry about bringing lunch though; with eight hours on the water, you'll want to pack your own food and plenty of water to keep your energy up for those long fights with big salmon.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what's working best for the species we're targeting. Expect to do some serious trolling with downriggers when we're after those deeper Chinook, plus some casting and drift fishing when the situation calls for it. Captain Jeff provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, including the heavy-duty gear required for these powerful fish. The boat's rigged with quality fish finders and GPS, so we're not just guessing where the fish are – we're putting your bait right in front of them. If you've got your own lucky rod or favorite reel, feel free to bring it along, but the provided gear is tournament-quality stuff that can handle anything these waters throw at us. We'll adjust our approach throughout the day based on water temperature, current flow, and fish activity, so be ready to switch things up and learn some new tricks.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of this river system, and for good reason. These bruiser fish can push 30 pounds or more, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. They hit hard, run deep, and fight like they mean it. Best time to target them is typically early morning and late afternoon when they're most active, though the Mid-Columbia can surprise you any time of day. What makes Chinook so special here is their incredible strength – they've got the current to help them fight, and they're not afraid to use it. Landing one of these beauties is a real accomplishment that'll have you grinning for weeks.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table. They're smaller than Chinook but make up for it with aerial acrobatics that'll test your drag and your nerves. These silver bullets love to jump, and they'll put on a show that's worth the price of admission alone. Coho are often more aggressive feeders, especially during their peak runs, and they'll hit lures with authority. They typically range from 8-12 pounds in these waters, perfect table fare that tastes as good as they fight.
Walleye might not be salmon, but don't overlook these scrappy fighters. The Mid-Columbia holds some trophy-sized walleye that'll surprise you with their size and fight. They're excellent eating and provide steady action when the salmon bite slows down. These fish are structure-oriented and love to hang around rocky bottoms and drop-offs. Captain Jeff knows the walleye spots that consistently produce fish in the 3-6 pound range, with the occasional lunker pushing double digits.
This top-rated salmon fishing charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when all three species are active. Captain Jeff's reputation for putting clients on fish has made this one of the most sought-after fishing experiences in Eastern Oregon. With only three anglers per trip, you're getting personalized service and plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Pacific Northwest salmon to your list or someone ready to step up from smaller fish to the real deal, this eight-hour adventure delivers the goods. The Mid-Columbia River is fishing at its finest – book your spot and find out why anglers keep coming back to these waters year after year.
Captain Jeff's 26-foot Alumaweld cuts through the Mid-Columbia's currents with ease, powered by a robust 200HP Mercury engine that gets you to the best salmon runs quickly. This aluminum fishing machine handles the river's changing conditions while you focus on landing steelhead and Coho. The onboard GPS keeps you on track to productive waters, while the fish finder helps locate schools holding in deeper channels. Built for serious anglers, this boat accommodates up to 3 guests comfortably with plenty of space for gear and coolers. The stable platform gives you confidence when fighting fish, and the efficient design means more time with lines in the water. Perfect for full-day adventures targeting Oregon's prized salmon in some of the Pacific Northwest's most productive fishing waters.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweight champions of salmon - we regularly see them hit 15-30 pounds here on the Columbia, with some monsters pushing even bigger. They're built like silver torpedoes with black-spotted backs and will absolutely test your gear. These fish love deep holes and current breaks, especially early morning and evening when the light's low. Spring through fall offers solid action, but late summer into fall is prime time when they're staging for their spawning runs. What makes targeting Chinooks special is their incredible power and that rich, orange meat that's hard to beat on the table. Pro tip: keep your bait near bottom in the deeper pools - they're not afraid to go deep, and that's where the big ones usually hang out waiting to ambush.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho, or silvers as we call them, are the acrobats of the salmon world. They'll jump 6 feet out of the water and give you a show that's hard to match. Most fish we see run 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and darker backs. They prefer the quieter water near structure - think eddies, log jams, and slower pools connected to the main current. Fall is prime time when they're moving upriver, but we get good action through late summer too. What guests love about coho fishing is their aggressive strikes and aerial displays once hooked. The bright orange meat makes for outstanding table fare as well. In faster water, try swinging bright spinners, but in the holding pools, I like twitching jigs with long tails. The fish respond well to movement and flash.
Sander VitreusWalleye aren't your typical Columbia River target, but when we find them, they're worth the effort. These golden-sided fish with those distinctive glassy eyes usually run 2-5 pounds and love rocky bottoms and drop-offs. They're night feeders by nature, so low-light periods are your best bet - early morning, evening, or overcast days. What makes them fun is they're finicky biters that require patience, but once hooked, they put up a scrappy fight. The real payoff is on your plate - walleye has some of the best-tasting, flakiest white meat you'll find in freshwater. My go-to method is slow-trolling live minnows or nightcrawlers along bottom structure. Key trick: keep your presentation moving slowly near rocks and ledges where they like to ambush baitfish.
Oregon