Part of our series on fishing locally in the Hood River/Columbia Gorge area.
Species: Winter steelhead, rainbow, cutthroat trout
Seasons: Steelhead open year round. East Fork always closed to steelhead fishing. Trout open late May-October 31.
Location: Hood River, OR. Follow HWY 35 south for up to 20 miles. Best access is right in town.
The Hood River is a small stream that begins in three different forks, flowing off of Mt. Hood. The mountain is 35 miles to the south of the river's confluence with the Columbia River in the town of Hood River. This picturesque river is one of the places that we fish the most, and here is what you might need to know if you are visiting.
The Hood River is one of the better winter steelhead rivers in the Columbia basin. Returns of wild fish are healthy and wild winter steelhead are what draws in the bulk of anglers over the course of the year. Compared to coastal streams like the Nestucca or the Wilson, the Hood receives fewer fish, but the run is big enough to keep the locals happy.
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| A pretty piece of water, even next to an interstate |
The steelhead hatchery program was suspended in 2021 and the run of hatchery winter steelhead has trickled to a stop over the last couple of years, leaving the Hood River as a wild-only fishery for the future. Barbed hooks and bait are still allowed, but that is expected to change as hatchery fish are phased out.
Winter steelhead can be found anytime from November through April in the Hood River, however the majority of the fish show up in February and March in most years. The thing that brings them into the river most effectively is rain; specifically high water in the river. A super wet January will bring in more fish than a really dry February.
Most of the action happens at one spot in the river; under the footbridge, or what the locals refer to as "the mouth" of the river, even though its not really the mouth... Its just the first riffle above the mouth about a quarter mile.
The footbridge that crosses over the Hood River just downstream (North) of Interstate 84 has the first holding spot in the river. On any given winter morning, 6 or more anglers wade out on either side of the footbridge with high hopes of a winter chromer. Easy parking, easy wading and high catch rates make this spot #1 on the river, and the only one that many folks fish.
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| A hatchery Hood River Winter Steelhead |
There are other spots, but access gets very difficult as you move upstream. The powerhouse, about half a mile upstream of the confluence is an access spot with a trail attached that will get you to a couple of other spots. A few "fishy" runs within the mile or so of walkable access make this a popular spot if fishing under the interstate is not your favorite thing to do.
Other than the mouth and the powerhouse, there is very limited access to the river. Tucker Park has one piece of water to access, but it is not a spot that holds fish really well or is productive for fly anglers. Beyond that, there was once a dam that had public access. That access was removed when the dam came out. An easement that allowed access to the river was canceled. No dam = no more access. Plus the fish don't hold there any longer. There is no need to hold there as the dam is gone.....
The river closes to steelhead fishing at the confluence of the West and East Forks. Technically, you can fish about 100 yards of the West Fork between a waterfall and the confluence, but it is not much. The access there is minimal.
The East Fork is closed to steelhead fishing year-round. The Main river is open to steelhead fishing year-round.
Coho salmon do come into the Hood River, but not in large numbers. They do not travel very far up the river. Target them near the mouth for the most success. Late September into mid November is the time for coho. It is a lot of fun, and can be quite productive when they are in.
Fall chinook are present in September, but targeting them is prohibited.
Trout season in the Hood River is typically the 4th Saturday in May to October 31. This includes the main river as well as the East Fork. The West Fork is always closed above Punchbowl Falls, and while there is a Middle Fork, it is almost always muddy and almost always unfishable in-season.
Rainbow trout do exist in the main Hood River, but in low numbers. I have spent several days targeting trout in the Hood and have had little success. I have not caught an actual rainbow trout. I have seen them caught before, but have not personally caught one. There are plenty of steelhead smolt that want to eat a fly, but few adult rainbow trout; I'm not saying zero, but not many.
The East Fork is glacially influenced, meaning that there is a lot of silt, mud and round rocks. Not ideal habitat, but it is what we have. The fishing can be spotty. There are some places in the river where there are not many trout. It is low-quality habitat for trout.
If you travel high up enough on the East Fork, you will start seeing brook trout instead of cutthroat that inhabit most of the forks.
The East Fork, as well as the Main Hood River are generally not fishable during hot weather. Typically, July into September, it's pretty much just not happening. You might be lucky and have a cool streak of weather that will clear it up, but most of the summer, it is too muddy... Luckily we have other options for summertime angling.
