Columbia River Chinook & Sturgeon Charter
Picture yourself on the mighty Columbia River at first light, lines in the water as you target some of the Pacific Northwest's most prized fish. This full-day shared charter gives you the best of both worlds – morning Chinook salmon runs followed by afternoon sturgeon action. With just two anglers per trip, you'll get personalized attention from your guide while experiencing what many consider the top fishing the Columbia has to offer. Eight hours on the water means plenty of time to dial in your technique and hopefully boat some serious fish.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early when the Columbia is calm and the fish are active. We'll launch from one of the prime access points along the Oregon side and head straight to where the Chinook are moving through. The morning bite can be phenomenal when conditions align, and your guide knows exactly where these fish like to stage based on current flows, temperature, and recent fishing reports. Around midday, we switch gears completely and target sturgeon in the deeper holes where these prehistoric giants lurk. The contrast between chasing chrome-bright salmon and wrestling bottom-dwelling sturgeon makes for an action-packed day that keeps you on your toes. With only two spots available, you'll have room to fish comfortably without feeling crowded, plus your guide can focus on helping each angler maximize their time on the water.
Techniques & Tackle
For Chinook, we'll be trolling with herring, spinners, or plugs depending on what the fish are responding to that day. The Columbia's current requires specific presentations, and your guide will adjust trolling speeds and depths to stay in the strike zone. When we transition to sturgeon fishing, it's a completely different game – we'll anchor up in proven holes and fish the bottom with fresh bait like smelt, herring, or squid. Sturgeon fishing demands patience and the right gear since these fish can exceed 100 pounds. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own setup if you have preferences. The boat is equipped with quality downriggers for salmon trolling and heavy-duty rods for sturgeon work. Your guide will walk you through each technique so you understand what's happening and can improve your skills throughout the day.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the Columbia River system, and for good reason. These powerful fish average 15-25 pounds but can push 40 pounds or more during peak runs. Spring and fall offer the best opportunities, with fish moving through in waves as they head to spawning areas upriver. What makes Chinook so special is their incredible strength and the way they fight – long runs, deep dives, and head-shaking that'll test your drag system. The Columbia's Chinook are chrome-bright and built for the ocean, making them some of the hardest-fighting salmon you'll encounter anywhere.
White Sturgeon are living dinosaurs that can live over 100 years and grow to massive sizes in the Columbia. These bottom-dwellers are surprisingly strong fighters despite their reputation as sluggish fish. A 6-foot sturgeon will give you a workout, and the Columbia regularly produces fish in the 8-10 foot range. They feed by vacuuming up bait from the bottom, so when they take your offering, the bite can be subtle at first before the fish realizes it's hooked. White sturgeon are catch-and-release only for larger fish, but the experience of battling one of these giants is what brings anglers back year after year.
Green Sturgeon are less common but equally impressive when hooked. They tend to be more active fighters than their white sturgeon cousins, often jumping and making surface runs that surprise first-time sturgeon anglers. Green sturgeon are typically smaller than whites, but their aggressive fighting style makes up for any difference in size. They're completely protected, so any green sturgeon caught must be released immediately, but they're still a prized catch for the experience alone.
Time to Book Your Spot
This customer-favorite charter combines two of Oregon's most renowned fishing opportunities into one action-packed day. The Columbia River consistently produces world-class fishing for both salmon and sturgeon, and having a knowledgeable guide who knows the water makes all the difference. With only two anglers per trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes for a successful day on the water. Whether you're looking to boat your first Columbia River Chinook or tangle with a prehistoric sturgeon, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. Spots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to secure your date on one of the best fishing rivers in the Pacific Northwest.