- Some of the best spring Chinook salmon and fall King salmon fishing in Oregon can be found in the Rouge River, located on the southern Oregon coast. The best spring Chinook salmon fishing is on the Rouge River at Gold Beach, Oregon. Other excellent rivers in Southern Oregon include the Chetco River, Sixes River and Elk River. All of these are excellent for fall King salmon fishing. Tillamook Bay, located about 1 1/2 hours from Portland, Oregon is another popular spot for salmon fishing. The Miami River, Kilchis River, Wilson River, Tillamook River and Trask River are all tributaries of Tillamook Bay. These rivers receive a spawning escapement of approximately 30,000 King salmon each year. The peak months for salmon fishing in Oregon's rivers are October through December.
- For spring Chinook salmon fishing in the Rouge River, a powerboat can be used to navigate the lower 37 miles of the river. The best method is to anchor in about 3 to 6 feet of water and intercept the migration paths of the salmon. Anchovies and spinners are the best bait on the Lower Rouge River and the best months for fishing this area are the middle of March through early June. Oregon fall King salmon fishing is also popular in that area. The Upper Rouge River near Medford, Oregon is home to the spring Chinook salmon spawning beds. The best bait to use there is bounced roe and plugs. The ideal time for fishing the Upper Rouge River is late May through late July.
- When salmon fishing in Oregon's rivers, you will likely encounter two main types. There are the Oregon fall King salmon and the spring Chinook Salmon. Spring Chinook salmon are the smaller of the two, averaging between 15 and 40 pounds each. They are very difficult to catch, but are well worth the trouble. Spring Chinook salmon are rich in omega-3 fat and have been named the best easting salmon at the World's Fair every year that they were entered. Oregon fall King salmon are much larger and stronger. Their size can range from 25 to 60 pounds. In good locations, you might hook 15 King salmon in a single day.
- For novice fishers, there are a plethora of guided fishing trips available in Oregon. Most trips leave from Portland, Astoria or Tillamook. Mid-March through mid-December is the peak season for these guided trips. If you are planning a fishing excursion for this time frame, you may want to book well in advance. You can find trips on all major rivers including the Rogue River, Elk River, Chetco River, Sixes River, Coquille River and Umpqua River.
- Few people realize that fishing is available in Oregon's streams for 12 months out of the year. This effectively makes Oregon the best location for salmon fishing in the continental United States. This state also has the most government protected Wild and Scenic rivers in the country. In Oregon, there is a limit of two per person on nearly all salmon. You can sometimes find an exception to this at the Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River. The bag limit here on a variety of salmon is raised occasionally to prevent overrun hatcheries.
