Oregon offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Oregon are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Oregon.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Oregon. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Upper Deschutes River (January, Rainbow Trout)

Tillamook Bay (February, Winter Steelhead)

Willamette River (March, Spring Chinook Salmon)

Rogue River (April, Spring Chinook Salmon)

Umpqua River (May, Smallmouth Bass)

Columbia River (June, Summer Chinook Salmon)

John Day River (July, Smallmouth Bass)

North Santiam River (August, Fall Chinook Salmon)

Nestucca River (September, Coho Salmon)

Siuslaw River (October, Fall Chinook Salmon)

Alsea River (November, Steelhead)

Coos River (December, Winter Steelhead)

Sandy River (March, Winter Steelhead)

North Umpqua River (April, Steelhead)

Deschutes River (May, Brown Trout)

Metolius River (June, Rainbow Trout)

Wallowa River (July, Cutthroat Trout)

Grande Ronde River (August, Smallmouth Bass)

Williamson River (September, Rainbow Trout)

Chetco River (October, Chinook Salmon)

Crater Lake (July to September, Kokanee Salmon)

Upper Klamath Lake (April to June, Rainbow Trout)

Diamond Lake (May to October, Brown Trout)

Wickiup Reservoir (June to August, Brown Trout)

Odell Lake (July to September, Mackinaw Trout)

Crescent Lake (August to October, Rainbow Trout)

Waldo Lake (June to September, Kokanee Salmon)

Detroit Lake (April to June, Kokanee Salmon)

Lake Billy Chinook (May to July, Smallmouth Bass)

Timothy Lake (June to August, Rainbow Trout)

Prineville Reservoir (May to July, Crappie)

Lost Creek Lake (March to May, Smallmouth Bass)

Fern Ridge Reservoir (April to June, Largemouth Bass)

Green Peter Lake (July to September, Kokanee Salmon)

Applegate Lake (September to November, Brown Trout)

Henry Hagg Lake (March to May, Rainbow Trout)

Crane Prairie Reservoir (June to August, Rainbow Trout)

Lake of the Woods (June to September, Rainbow Trout)

Clear Lake (July to September, Rainbow Trout)

Phillips Reservoir (April to June, Smallmouth Bass)

Astoria (February, Sturgeon)

Nehalem Bay (March, Spring Chinook Salmon)

Tillamook Bay (April, Lingcod)

Netarts Bay (May, Dungeness Crab)

Siletz Bay (June, Chinook Salmon)

Yaquina Bay (July, Halibut)

Alsea Bay (August, Coho Salmon)

Coos Bay (September, Rockfish)

Bandon (October, Tuna)

Port Orford (November, Lingcod)

Gold Beach (December, Winter Steelhead)

Depoe Bay (January, Crabbing)

Pacific City (March, Surfperch)

Lincoln City (April, Chinook Salmon)

Waldport (May, Sea Trout)

Yachats (June, Rockfish)

Florence (July, Halibut)

Winchester Bay (August, Tuna)

Brookings (September, Lingcod)

Port Orford (October, Chinook Salmon)

These Oregon-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

The best time to fish for Chinook salmon in Oregon is during the late spring, summer, and fall months, typically from May to October. Chinook salmon runs vary depending on the specific river and location. Early morning and late afternoon are often great times to fish for Chinook salmon. Some of the best locations for Chinook salmon fishing in Oregon include the Columbia River, Tillamook Bay, Rogue River, and the Nestucca River.

The best time to fish for coho salmon in Oregon is during fall, typically from September to November. Coho salmon runs vary depending on the specific river and location. Early morning and late afternoon are often productive times to fish for coho salmon. Some of the best locations for coho salmon fishing in Oregon include the Columbia River, Tillamook Bay, Nehalem Bay, and the Umpqua River.

Sockeye salmon runs in Oregon are relatively limited compared to other salmon species. They are mainly found in the Columbia River and its tributaries during summer, typically from June to August. Early morning and late afternoon are good times to fish for sockeye salmon. Some of the best locations for sockeye salmon fishing in Oregon include the Columbia, Deschutes, and Hood Rivers.

The best time to fish for sturgeon in Oregon is year-round, but the spring and fall are particularly productive. Sturgeon are active during both day and night. Oregon’s best locations for sturgeon fishing include the Columbia River, Willamette River, and the Umpqua River.

Fishing for halibut in Oregon is best during the spring and summer, typically from May to September. Halibut are often caught during daylight hours. Some of Oregon’s best locations for halibut fishing include the waters off of Astoria, Garibaldi, Newport, and Brookings.

The best time to fish for lingcod in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Some of the best locations for lingcod fishing in Oregon include Depoe Bay, Newport, Brookings, and Astoria.

The best time to fish for tuna in Oregon is during the summer and early fall, typically from July to September. Tuna are more active in warmer water temperatures. They are often caught during the daytime, with early morning and late afternoon being productive. Some of the best locations for tuna fishing in Oregon include the waters off of Newport, Coos Bay, Brookings, and Astoria.

The best time to fish for surfperch in Oregon is during the spring, summer, and early fall months, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but the incoming and outgoing tides are often productive times. Oregon’s best locations for surfperch fishing include Seaside Beach, Cannon Beach, Pacific City, and Port Orford.

The best time to fish for rockfish in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, with early morning and late afternoon being productive. Oregon’s best locations for rockfish fishing include the coastal areas near Astoria, Newport, Depoe Bay, and Brookings.

The best time to fish for American shad in Oregon is during the late spring and early summer months, typically from May to July. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Some of the best locations for American shad fishing in Oregon include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Rogue River, and Umpqua River.

The best time to fish for Dungeness crabs in Oregon is during the late fall, winter, and early spring months, typically from December to April. Dungeness crabs are more active during the colder months. They are typically caught during the daytime. Some of Oregon’s best locations for crab fishing include the Columbia River, Coos Bay, Yaquina Bay, and Tillamook Bay.

The best time to fish for kokanee in Oregon is during the late spring, summer, and early fall months, typically from May to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive times. Some of the best locations for kokanee fishing in Oregon include Odell Lake, Crescent Lake, Wickiup Reservoir, and Green Peter Reservoir.

The best time to fish for steelhead in Oregon is late fall, winter, and early spring, typically from November to April. Steelhead are more active in colder water temperatures. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Oregon’s best locations for steelhead fishing include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Deschutes River, and Rogue River.

The best time to fish for cutthroat trout in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. Cutthroat trout are more active in cooler water temperatures. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Oregon’s best locations for cutthroat trout fishing include the Deschutes River, Metolius River, McKenzie River, and North Umpqua River.

The best time to fish for brown trout in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Some of Oregon’s best locations for brown trout fishing include the Deschutes River, Metolius River, McKenzie River, and North Umpqua River.

The best time to fish for rainbow trout in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, with early morning and late afternoon being productive. Oregon’s best locations for rainbow trout fishing include the Deschutes River, McKenzie River, Metolius River, and North Umpqua River.

The best time to fish for brook trout in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from May to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are often productive. Oregon’s best locations for brook trout fishing include the Metolius River, North Umpqua River, McKenzie River, and Upper Deschutes River.

The best time to fish for largemouth bass in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, typically from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, with early morning and late afternoon prime times. Oregon’s best locations for largemouth bass fishing include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Tenmile Lakes, and Fern Ridge Reservoir.

The best time to fish for smallmouth bass in Oregon is spring, summer, and early fall, particularly from April to October. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are productive. Oregon’s best locations for smallmouth bass fishing include the Columbia River, Umpqua River, John Day River, and the Snake River.

The best time to fish for carp in Oregon is during the late spring, summer, and early fall months, specifically from May to September. They can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and evening are productive. Oregon’s best locations for carp fishing include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Fern Ridge Reservoir, and Tenmile Lakes.

The best time to fish for yellow perch in Oregon is spring and summer, especially from April to August. They can be caught throughout the day but tend to be most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of Oregon’s best locations for perch fishing include Fern Ridge Reservoir, Tenmile Lakes, Detroit Lake, and Henry Hagg Lake.

The best time to fish for catfish in Oregon is during the warmer months of late spring, summer, and early fall, particularly in June, July, and August. They are often caught during the evening or nighttime hours when they become more active. Oregon’s best locations for catfish fishing include the Columbia River, Willamette River, Tenmile Lakes, and Fern Ridge Reservoir.

The best time to fish for crappie in Oregon is typically during the spring and early summer, specifically April, May, and June. Dawn and dusk are great times to catch them as they tend to be more active during low-light conditions. Oregon’s best locations for crappie fishing include Henry Hagg Lake, Fern Ridge Reservoir, Lost Creek Lake, and Lake Billy Chinook.

The best time to fish for walleye in Oregon is during the spring months of April, May, and June. Walleye tend to be more active during low-light conditions, such as dawn and dusk. Oregon’s best locations for walleye fishing include the Columbia River, Umatilla River, Willow Creek Reservoir, and the John Day Pool.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish on the Oregon coast. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Portland. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Washington.