Columbia River salmon & steelhead
Columbia River
run calendar
When spring, summer and fall Chinook, steelhead and sturgeon are in the river, and which trip to book.
Month by month
What’s running now
What’s running
Tap a month to see which runs are in the river and which trip fits.
| Run | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring ChinookMarch to June | |||||||||
| Summer ChinookJune to August | |||||||||
| Summer steelheadJune to August | |||||||||
| Fall ChinookAugust to October | |||||||||
| SturgeonSeasonal |
Spring Chinook
March to June. Best-eating salmon of the year. Bright, fat "springers" headed upriver early in the season.
Summer Chinook
June to August. Hot-weather Chinook on the Columbia, with summer steelhead running at the same time.
Fall Chinook
August to October. Big fish and action-packed days, including the famous Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia.
Questions
Run timing FAQ
When is the best time to go?
Spring Chinook run March to June, summer Chinook and steelhead June to August, and fall Chinook August to October, peaking at Buoy 10 in August. See the Columbia River run calendar.
Why do the dates change each year?
Salmon runs depend on river conditions and ocean survival, and ODFW and WDFW set open days and limits each season based on forecasts.
Let’s go catch some salmon.
Pick your date and lock it in online. Coby reaches out before your trip with the launch, the timing and what to bring.