Sherars Falls...the upper limit of Deschutes king fishing.
The river is currently open for spring chinook fishing. The spring chinook fishing ends July 31, and the fall chinook season will open Aug. 1 under the newly-adopted rule. The river remains open for Chinook from the mouth at the I-84 bridge upstream to Sherars Falls. The daily catch limit for fall Chinook will be any two adults and any five jacks. (Jack salmon are Chinook 15-24 inches long.)
The Deschutes River supports one of the healthiest wild fall Chinook populations in the Columbia Basin; one that has never been augmented with hatchery fish.
“Nearly 11,000 fall chinook returned to the Deschutes in 2009 and we expect another strong run this season,” said Rod French, ODFW fish biologist.
Anglers are reminded that all wild (non adipose fin-clipped) steelhead must be released unharmed and that the use of bait is restricted to the section of the river from Sherars Falls downstream to the upper railroad trestle.
Jeff Munsen says
It’s my 1st time wanting to go to the Columbia river. Where would be the best place for bank( on shore) fishing? Since my move to the West coast 3 years ago, I’ve fell in love with salmon fishing. Gaining knowledge every time out from other anglers . So would there be any help in the where to go, and certain Jigs, lures etc to use without bring the whole sport store with you.;) I will take any recommendations. Thank you
Sincerely a great admirer in the West-coast fishing sport
Jeff Munsen
JD says
Phew, I’m not so sure about that one. I know guys catch sturgeon and shad off the bank at places like below Bonneville, but the salmon thing is mainly the domain of boaters. If you want to catch salmon off the bank head towards the coast to some of the smaller rivers. Can’t go too wrong with the Wilson and Trask over near Tillamook.
Jeff Munsen says
Thank you, i will do just that. I will be heading toward the Columbia this up coming Saturday to scout the area out. Again TY
Hammy3 says
JD, how about an update on the Columbia spring-run. I know, based on jack counts from last year, they were anticipating a record year up on the Columbia system. Last I’ve heard, the run didn’t materialize like projected. What’s the status now that we’re through a good chunk on the springer migration period? This is relevant to the Central Valley because the ocean and Central Valley fisheries were opened to harvest this year in large measure because of last year’s Central Valley jack count.