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Salmon Fishing

King Salmon Fishing

Oregon and Oregon Salmon Fishing go together as this is the home to hundreds of thousands of  mighty Fall King Salmon. Fall King Salmon fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California is a Northwest tradition going back 150 years for settlers and a thousand years for Native Americans.


Jay Brandt with son Josh on the Rogue River with Joshs first King Salmon.The River's of  Rogue River Country all have large returns of Fall King Salmon. Nowhere in an area of 180 miles of coastline are so many Fall King Salmon found as in Southern Oregon which is the reason opportunities for salmon fishing here are so great. Fall King Salmon are readily available as in rivers of Southern Oregon. Good Southern Oregon Salmon Fishing can be expected 9 months a year.

Southern Oregon salmon fishing river's have annual  returns, not counting ocean harvest (of 20% plus) of over 650,000 returning Fall King Salmon. Making Southern Oregon Salmon fishing opportunities a fisherman's vacation paradise.

Oregon Salmon Fishing

Gold Beach, Oregon

July 1st begins the Oregon Salmon fishing season for our returning 250,000 to 450,000 Fall King Salmon, averaging 20 to 40 pounds each. In August 2002 a 66-pounder was landed while trolling in the river estuary area at Gold Beach, Ore. This was the largest King Salmon landed in Oregon in nearly 20 years. This catch of a 66-pounder was soon eclipsed by a true river monster size Oregon King Salmon.

World Record Oregon King Salmon Caught Fly fishing on the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Oregon
71.5-pound Rogue River Fall Chinook Salmon Caught by Grant Martinsen / New World Record for fly rod.
While Fly Fishing Grant Martinsen landed a, Oregon King Salmon fishing and World Salmon Fishing record King Salmon at Clay Banks on the Lower Rogue near Gold Beach. This fish set a new all line class world record Fly caught King Salmon, breaking the old world record King Salmon caught Fly fishing by nearly 9 pounds, which was also landed in Oregon, a 62 pounder, from Northern Oregon's Tillamook Bay region. This monster caught Oregon Salmon fishing weighed in at 71.5-pounds and was landed on October 22nd, 2002

Nearly all of the Rogue's Fall King Salmon are wild fish stocks, very few hatchery Fall King Salmon are found in Oregon's Rogue River. Salmon fishing is good here until mid to late October. The Lower Rogue River near Gold Beach area is the best bet for King Salmon fishing until water temperatures start to cool in September. Cooler weather in September brings water temperatures down encouraging stacked up King Salmon to begin to move up-river toward their spawning grounds up to 150 miles away.

Oregon River Guides / Photo from Fish Oregon Guide Service


Rogue River Fishing Guides / Gold Beach Fishing Guides / Rivers Logs for Oregon Salmon Fishing
Rogue Basin



 


Salmon Fishing

Coquille River at Bandon, Oregon

September 1st will begin the Coquille River King Salmon fishing season with the returning of 30,000 Fall King Salmon averaging 25 to 50 pounds. All of these fish are caught in tidewater areas of the Lower Coquille River near Bandon. These King Salmon are big and mean with very good quality. Coquille River King Salmon fishing remains good September through October. Tides are very important to success on the Coquille River as nearly all of the fishable water is tidally influenced. To find more information on Coquille River King Salmon fishing go to Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides page for best local times and seasons.


Chetco River at Brookings, Oregon

October 1st will begin the Chetco River Fall King Salmon fishing season returning 20,000 King Salmon averaging 25 to 50 pounds. Chetco River King Salmon fishing begins with King Salmon milling in and out of tidewater or holding in upper tidewater pools like Morris Hole and Tide-rock. Hundreds of  King Salmon will stack up awaiting autumn rains to raise this rivers flow to allow upstream passage. The Chetco River which is only 50 miles long raises and drops quickly. While stacked in these Lower Chetco River pools King Salmon are available for Fly fishing opportunities. Trolling for King Salmon is also good in the Chetco River estuary in October. Salmon fishing for Kings can be spectacular when the autumn rains raise the Chetco River and the Kings move upriver. King Salmon fishing remains good from October to January. For more local information on Chetco River King Salmon fishing go to guide link.  Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides page for best local Oregon Salmon fishing times and seasons.
     
Chetco River Flow Gage


Elk River near Port Orford, Oregon

Salmon Fishing

October through January. The Elk River is 50 miles long with 10 miles of the best King Salmon fishing water for late season Kings to be found anywhere. The Elk River is a wonderful river for Oregon salmon fishing, a small stream with more King salmon holding water and holes per mile than any other stream in Oregon.

Kings on the Elk River average about 30-pounds, with fish to 50-pounds. The Elk River Kings will out fight all other King Salmon hands down. More fish are lost here on the Elk River than are landed due to water conditions and the attitude of these Elk River Kings. Hooking and battling a King Salmon on the Elk River is a thrilling experience which sometimes breaks your heart as the Elk River Kings win a lot of the time. On the average these big fish will win their battle 50% of the time as they are big, mean and aggressive, all qualities we want in great Oregon Salmon fishing trips. We recommend a professional guide for King Salmon fishing on the Elk River. Check with our Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides

Elk River Hatchery River Report 541- 332-7025


Sixes River near Port Orford, Oregon

Salmon Fishing

October through January

The Sixes River is a sister stream to the Elk River, these two streams enter the Pacific Ocean at Cape Blanco State Park about 2 miles apart. Sixes River Kings run 25 to 50 pounds. The Sixes  is about 50 miles long and has a gentler gradient than the Elk River. The Sixes River is a more laid back river not as intense as the Elk River in flow and in King Salmon Fishing. There are more total miles of accessible water on the Sixes River than the Elk River. To find more information on Sixes River King Salmon fishing go to our Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides page for best local salmon fishing times and seasons. 


Umpqua River Fall King Salmon Fishing

The Umpqua River runs between Winchester Bay and Reedsport on the Southern Oregon Coast upstream through Scottsburg and Elkton and on to Roseburg at Inter State 5. The Umpqua River South Fork meets the North Umpqua River a few miles west of Interstate 5.  The is an area between I-5 and the South Umpqua River confluence with the North Umpqua River is a great area for Umpqua King River Salmon fishing. Check with our Oregon Salmon fishing Guides


Smith near Crescent City, California

October 1st to January 1st.
The Smith River has Northern California's best King Salmon fishing.

The Smith River has no dams and its banks are lined with majestic old growth redwood forests. Some of the Smith River flows within the Redwood National Forest. Breath taking beauty with world class salmon fishing. King Salmon run 25 to 50 pounds on the Smith River. Early season fly fishing is a popular salmon fishing method. As the Smith River receives autumn rains holding fish move upriver to be met by drift boat anglers using big plugs and bouncing roe. We recommend a professional guide on the Smith River, as river and fishing conditions change rapidly. To find more information on Smith River King Salmon fishing go to Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides page for best local salmon fishing times and seasons.  


Klamath River near Klamath, California

King Salmon

August 15th will begin the Klamath Rivers King Salmon fishing season. With 250,000 to 300,000 King Salmon averaging 12 to 25 pounds returning. These are aggressive biting King Salmon which allows good Salmon fishing success. To find more information on Klamath King Salmon fishing go to our Oregon Salmon Fishing Guides  page for best local Klamath River King Salmon fishing times and seasons. 


For Information on our Southern Oregon Lodging / Resorts for your Oregon Salmon Fishing Trip check these links.

Southern Oregon Lodging
Fishing Lodges and Resorts
Rogue River Country Bed & Breakfasts
Rogue River Country Vacation Rentals
RV Parks & Camping


Be Listed on Rogue River Country Web Site!
 
 E-mail: Contact Rogue River Country / Office Phone: (541) 247-4138