Columbia River Chinook & Sturgeon Charter
Shared Trip
River Fishing
Fullday charter targets Chinook salmon and sturgeon fishingEighthour trip accommodates maximum two guests per boatMorning salmon fishing transitions to afternoon sturgeon action
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You'll be fishing from our brand new 2023 River Wild Elite, a 26-footer that's built for serious Columbia River action. This beast packs a Yamaha 250 VMAX that'll cruise at 50 knots, getting you to the hottest Chinook and Sturgeon spots fast. The boat's ocean-capable design handles Columbia River conditions with ease while comfortably seating up to 6 anglers. We've loaded her with state-of-the-art Garmin electronics to pinpoint where the fish are holding, plus a wireless trolling motor for those quiet approaches when you need to sneak up on a trophy King. GPS keeps us on track, VHF radio ensures safety, and the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of salmon or massive sturgeon lurking in the depths. This setup gives you the perfect platform for a full day chasing Oregon's most prized gamefish on the mighty Columbia.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of Columbia River salmon, typically running 15-30 pounds with silver sides and distinctive black spots on their fins and tail. These powerful fish stage in deeper water during their spawning runs from spring through fall, making them perfect targets for our morning sessions. They're light-sensitive, so they hold near the bottom in channels and deeper holes during bright conditions. What guests love is the combination of incredible fighting power and premium table fare - that rich, red meat is unmatched. Kings are also smart and finicky, making them a real challenge. Early morning and evening produce the best action when they move up in the water column. My go-to technique: get your bait down deep with enough weight, and when fishing gets tough, switch to brighter colors like chartreuse or pink. These fish can be picky, but once hooked, they'll give you the fight of a lifetime.
Acipenser MedirostrisGreen Sturgeon are fascinating prehistoric fish that cruise the Columbia's deeper waters, typically 4-6 feet long with distinctive olive-green backs and white bellies. These "living fossils" are strictly catch-and-release due to conservation concerns, but they offer a unique angling experience. You'll find them holding in deeper holes and channels, using their barbels to vacuum up shrimp, crabs, and small fish from the bottom. They're most active during late spring through summer when they migrate upriver. What makes them special is their ancient lineage - they've been around since dinosaur times and can live 70+ years. The fight is steady and powerful rather than flashy. My tip: when you feel that gentle tap-tap on your rod tip, resist the urge to set the hook right away. Let them mouth the bait for a few seconds before a firm hookset.
Acipenser TransmontanusWhite Sturgeon are the giants of the Columbia River, averaging 4-6 feet but capable of reaching monster proportions over 10 feet. These armored bottom-dwellers prefer deeper holes and channels where they use their barbels to locate salmon, shrimp, and other prey. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with some of the best action happening during salmon runs when they feed heavily. What draws anglers is the sheer power - these fish can live over 100 years and fight like underwater freight trains. The meat is also excellent table fare when you keep a legal-sized fish. They're surprisingly gentle biters despite their size, often mouthing bait before committing. Here's the key: when you feel those light taps, don't get excited and jerk the rod. Keep steady pressure and wait for that solid pull before setting the hook hard and reeling fast to keep them off the bottom structure.
Portland, OR