Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing set 2016

The 2016 Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing season is set. The Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon forecast for 2016 is 188,000, and the Willamette River has a forecast of 70,000 returning Spring Chinook Salmon. The Cowlitz River is looking to get one of its best Spring Chinook Salmon run since the 70’s. With these forecast, we will have to wait and see what pans out. Last year the forecast underestimated the Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon run. I am just hoping that the same thing happens this year.

There was a meeting earlier today and the lower Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing season was set. We will be able to fish for Columbia River Spring Chinook Salmon until April 9th 2016. Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing is currently opened below the I-5 Bridge, and will open up above the I-5 Bridge to the Bonneville Dam on March 1st. It seems to be the same rules as last year; closed to boats above Beacon Rock, but bank anglers will be able to fish up to the salmon deadline at the Bonneville Dam. There will be two days closed this year for commercial fishing, which is March 29th and April 5th both fall on a Tuesday.

As a Columbia River Spring Chinook Fishing Guide I am hoping that the Spring Chinook show up early this year to capitalize on the April 9th closure. If the Spring Chinook are a week earlier this year, that would make a great start for my 2016 Salmon season. With that being said, I am still planning on guiding for Columbia River Spring Chinook starting Mid-March and continue until the April 9th closure. After the Columbia River closes, I will start guided Spring Chinook Fishing Trips in the Cowlitz River or the Multnomah Channel. With 25,000 Spring Chinook Salmon predicted to return to the Cowlitz River this year, the Cowlitz River might be the place to be fishing.

Even with the banner run predicted to return to the Cowlitz River, I still love Guided Drano lake Spring Chinook Fishing Trips and Guided Wind River Spring Chinook Fishing Trips. These are two of my favorite places to target Spring Chinook Salmon. Guided Spring Chinook Trips at Drano Lake last year was unbelievable, the run was underestimated and it was one of my best Spring Chinook seasons. I hope for the same results this year, 2016.

If you would like more information about Columbia River Spring Chinook Fishing or need help booking your next fishing trip, please feel free to Contact Me. If you want more information on some of the locations I mentioned in the article check out the links below.