Every Boat Ramp on Columbia River (Washington)

About Columbia River (Washington)

The mighty Columbia River forms much of Washington's southern border with Oregon, flowing 750 miles of shoreline through eight Washington counties on its journey from the inland desert to the Pacific Ocean. As the largest river in the Pacific Northwest and the fourth largest in the United States by volume, the Columbia is a world-class fishing destination that supports legendary runs of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon. From the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco downstream through the dramatic Columbia River Gorge to the tidal waters near the coast, the Washington side of the Columbia offers unparalleled angling diversity.

Chinook Salmon fishing on the Columbia is the stuff of legend, with spring, summer, and fall runs drawing tens of thousands of anglers to its waters each year. Steelhead, both summer and winter varieties, provide world-class fly and gear fishing throughout the river's length. White Sturgeon, some exceeding 10 feet in length, are targeted on a catch-and-release basis in many sections, offering the chance to battle a true prehistoric giant. Walleye fishing has exploded in popularity behind the river's many dams, with the pools above McNary, John Day, and Bonneville dams producing fish exceeding 10 pounds. Smallmouth Bass, American Shad, and Channel Catfish round out a year-round fishery that always has something in season.

Boat launches are plentiful along the Washington shore, with major facilities in the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Longview, and numerous smaller communities in between. The Columbia River Gorge section near Stevenson offers some of the most scenic fishing in the state, with towering basalt cliffs and forested mountains framing the river. Whether you are anchoring for Sturgeon below Bonneville Dam, trolling for Chinook in the Tri-Cities reach, or jigging for Walleye in a Columbia pool, the river delivers a fishing experience of truly epic proportions.

Nearest towns: Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Vancouver, Longview, Stevenson