The Columbia River is known for big walleye and they predict that the next world record will come from the Columbia River. Walleye have taken over the Columbia since they were introduced in the upper Columbia in the early 1950’s. Since this time they have spread through the Columbia River system offering great walleye fishing from January during the prespawn through the late fall in October before they get dormant heading into winter starting in November. If you are looking for that opportunity to catch a fish over 10 pounds or the next World record this is the place to visit. With all the great structure and food sources that the Columbia River has to offer, it is the mecca for lots of action along with Trophy class size Walleye.
Starting in January the Walleye will start to feed again getting ready for the spawn in late April early May. Walleye start to spawn once the water temperature reaches 52 degrees. During these months we will be fishing the eastside of the Cascade mountain range starting near The Dalles Oregon and will fish deferent areas depending on the weather and fish feeding patterns all the way upriver to the Tri Cities area. These areas on the eastside are much drier and less barometer pressure unlike the westside that gets lots of rain from the big storms rolling in off the Pacific Ocean that brings low barometer pressure that shuts the bite off. Plus, the westside has much higher flows of river current during April that makes it much more difficult to target the Walleye. January through April is definitely a colder time of year and you can expect rain, cold dry days with wind or possible snow showers in January through March. We have heaters in our boats, hand warmers for our customers coat pockets and we do a nice hot BBQ lunch to help make the trip as enjoyable as possible. The benefit of fishing this time of year is that you have the chance of catching a Trophy Walleye over 10 pounds if not the state record of 20.9 pounds or possibly the world record of 25 pounds that is predicted to come off the Columbia River soon. After the spawn in May we will start fishing for them again in June through early August. His time of year is much warmer and July through August can be exceptionally warm with temperatures hitting the high 90’s if not the 100 degrees mark. We catch lots of eater size ranging in the 18-20’ range and a occasional bigger fish that can weigh up to 5 pounds. If you are looking for that big trophy female the pre spawn time of year is the time to fish the Columbia River.
I also run and own a taxidermy shop where we can do a nice replica fish mount or a skin mount if you were looking to get one of these big fish mounted. We encourage on releasing the big females to let them spawn to be able to keep this world class fishery alive! Each female will carry up to 10,000 eggs during the spawn. You can expect to catch 10-20 fish during the prespawn time of year and up to 40-50 in the summer months fishing four anglers on a trip. In June through July we will fish the westside near Portland Oregon due to the water level has dropped, the storms have quit and the walleye come onto the bite from June through October.
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All of our walleye trips include quality lamiglas Certified pro Walleye rods matched with Shimano reels, all the bait, fish cleaning ( Filleted), hot lunch ( prespawn trips) and a cooler with water and soda.
You will need to bring: Warm layered clothing (depending on time of year), rain gear (with a hood for running to the fishing grounds), fishing license (we sell one day licenses for $20 if needed), camera and sun glasses.
