December 2025 — Pacific Northwest: Winter Steelhead in Olympic Peninsula Rivers, Rockfish Open. December is a early winter month with water in the 60-64°F range — rockfish, lingcod (verify season), bay halibut, sand bass. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — December 2025
Primary targets this month: Steelhead, Rockfish, Lingcod, Sturgeon.
Steelhead
Steelhead in the Olympic Peninsula rivers (Sol Duc, Hoh, Bogachiel, Queets — winter steelhead), the Deschutes River (Oregon — summer steelhead), the Snake/Salmon system, the Skykomish, and the lower Columbia tributaries. Drift fishing eggs and beads, swinging streamers on Spey rods, or center-pin float fishing. Peak runs on tributaries in spring (April-May) and fall (October-December).
Rockfish
Rockfish on the rocky bottom and reefs of the Pacific coast — black, blue, vermilion, yelloweye (released), copper, and china rockfish; bottom fishing at 80-300 ft. Drop 6-10 oz iron jigs or shrimp flies on a multi-hook rig to the bottom in 100-300 feet. Multiple species in a drop — vermilion, chili pepper, copper, china, and the occasional lingcod.
Lingcod
Lingcod on the rocky bottom of the Oregon and Washington coast — Cape Flattery, Westport, Garibaldi, Depoe Bay, and Newport — 100-300 ft depths. Large swimbaits (8-10″), live bait (small rockfish, mackerel), or big iron jigs. They hammer baits aggressively. Stout tackle (60-80 lb braid) to lift fish off structure.
Sturgeon
Sturgeon on the Columbia River — white sturgeon (catch-and-release in most stretches), with some retention allowed in specific lower Columbia zones; verify ODFW/WDFW current rules. Bottom fishing with cut herring, anchovies, or pile worms on heavy tackle (50-80 lb braid). White sturgeon are mostly catch-and-release; verify current state slot retention rules. Big fish (4-6 ft) routine; trophy fish over 7 ft possible.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 60-64°F. Rockfish, lingcod (verify season), bay halibut, sand bass. The Columbia River is heavily influenced by both ocean tides and river flow — Buoy 10 (the river mouth) is a tidal/freshwater mixing zone with strong current. The Strait of Juan de Fuca and Westport coast have major tides (8-12 ft). Salmon fishing in the river systems is driven by water levels and temperatures more than tides; ocean salmon and halibut are tide-driven.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Water temperature is everything. Yellowtail like 64°F+, white seabass like 60-65°F squid spawns, bluefin tuna 68-72°F.
- Live bait priority. Bait quality determines success — buy active anchovies and sardines from the bait barge, use them quickly.
December Outlook
Winter patterns establishing — sheepshead, tautog, cold-water specialists take over.
Regulations Reminder
Rockfish/Lingcod: CA seasons highly variable by depth zone — verify CDFW current rules. Lingcod 22″ minimum. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Fisherman’s Marine (Portland — major Pacific NW tackle dealer); Westport Tackle (Westport WA); Englund Marine (Astoria — full marine supply); Tillamook Sporting Goods; Coastal Outdoors (Oregon coast).
Public Boat Ramps: Hammond Marina (Columbia mouth — Astoria), Buoy 10 area ramps, Westport Marina (WA), Garibaldi Marina (Tillamook), Depoe Bay, Newport (Yaquina Bay), Ilwaco WA, Sekiu, Neah Bay.
Charter Fishing: $200–$300/person walk-on salmon (Westport, Ilwaco); $1,200–$2,500 private salmon/halibut; $1,500–$3,000 multi-day albacore (Westport); $400–$800 river salmon/steelhead drift trips.
More Pacific Northwest Resources
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