Salmon Fishing in Oregon

All the major rivers in Oregon flowing into the Pacific Ocean are prime canidates for salmon fishing. The Columbia River, Coos River, Rogue River, Chetco River, Elk River, Sixes River and others can produce some excellent salmon fishing.

Salmon Fishing Lakes In Oregon

The major reservoirs offering salmon fishing in Oregon include Crane Prarie Reservoir, Crescent Lake, Detroit Lake, Green Peter Lake, Lake Billy Chinook, Odell Lake, Phillips Lake, Siltcoos Lake and Wickiup Reservoir.

The Umpqua River produced the Oregon state record chinook (king) salmon and the state record chum salmon came out of the Kilchis River. Siltcoos Lake served up the state record coho salmon and the OR state record kokanee salmon was caught out of Wallowa Lake.

Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar

Called by many "King of the game fishes", the Atlantic salmon has limited range in the northeastern seaboard states. It spends the first 2 or 3 years in the freshwater stream where it was hatched then ventures out into the ocean bulking up on shrimp, herring, smelt, crabs and small fishes. During its first or second spring (or early summer) it migrates back up the freshwater stream where it was hatched. In the fall they spawn and return to the ocean and repeat the cycle. Most atlantic salmon spawn 2 to 4 times during their lifetime.

5 Members of The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by specie. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which into the ocean and adjoining ocean waters of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. They have also been stocked in the Great Lakes with some success however the programs require continual stocking.

Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The largest of the Pacific Salmon, the chinook lives for 5 to 7 years and reaches a size well over 100 pounds.

Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta

One of the smaller of the group the chum lives 3 to 5 years and seldom exceeds 10 pounds.

Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

The smallest of the Pacific Salmon the pink seldom tops 5 pounds and lives only 2 years.

Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka

The sockeye lives 4 or 5 years and top weights seldom get to 8 pounds.

Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Growing to a size in the 15 pound range, the coho salmon lives for three years in their journey to continue the propagation of their species. Average catch is in the 8 to 12 pound range.

Salmon Fishing

Salmon fishing is at it's best during the salmon runs which can occur as early as May in the north to July as you move southward. Often a late run may happen as late as October.

Once the water temperature drops to about 50 degrees in the fall the atlantic salmon begin their spawning rituals. Young salmon stay in the fresh water until their second or third spring when they make their way to the ocean.

The preferred method for catchin salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies. For more details check here for articles about fly fishing for salmon in Oregon.

Salmon Organizations

Atlantic Salmon Federation
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Atlantic Salmon Museum
Atlantic Salmon Watch Program
Pacific Salmon Commission
Pacific Salmon Foundation

Oregon Salmon Fishing

We will attempt to provide specific detailed information about fishing for salmon. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of salmon. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips more successful.

See an overview of fishing in Oregon.

The purpose of the page is to provide specific information about fishing for Salmon in Oregon. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of salmon here in the state of Oregon. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips in OR more successful.

If you have information, articles or photos relating to salmon which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution. If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention it within the context of the article, we will consider your request. For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display ads, please contact us if you are interested.

If you offer fishing guide services for salmon in Oregon we would like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a complimentary listing for your guide service on our Oregon Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote your salmon fishing guide services in Oregon by visiting our Advertising opportunities section.

Let us list your fishing or outdoor activity-related websites in our Oregon Business Directory. It is included to provide our visitors with direct access to OR fishing related resources.

How to submit Oregon fishing articles.

OR Salmon Fishing - All About Fishing for Salmon in Oregon.

79 lbs - 2 oz

N/A

Spends part of its life in the ocean and the remainder in streams and rivers which drain into the ocean.

33 lbs - 7 oz

25 lbs - 5 oz

Spends part of its life in the ocean and the remainder in streams and rivers which drain into the ocean.