Pacific Northwest fishing report for the week of October 1, 2026. Fall is salmon season in the Pacific Northwest. The rains are starting, the rivers are rising, and the coho are moving in. From the Columbia to the rivers of Puget Sound and the Oregon coast, October is a busy month for salmon and steelhead anglers.
What’s Hitting
What’s hitting this week: coho salmon are moving into the rivers with the first fall rains, and they are aggressive when they are fresh. Summer steelhead are on the drift in many rivers, and the first fall chum salmon are starting to arrive in Puget Sound rivers. Chinook are still around in some rivers, though many runs are winding down.
Where to Find Them
For coho, fish the rivers of the Oregon coast, the Columbia River tributaries, and the rivers of Puget Sound. Look for fish moving after a rain. For steelhead, the Columbia River tributaries and the rivers of the Olympic Peninsula. For chum, the rivers of Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
On the Columbia system, coho are moving into tributaries such as the Cowlitz and the Lewis, and the lower Columbia is also seeing fish staged near the tributary mouths. On the Oregon coast, rivers like the Siletz, the Alsea, and the Tillamook Bay system draw coho and late chinook after the first good rain. In Puget Sound, many anglers fish the saltwater beaches for coho before the fish move into the rivers.
Tides & Conditions
River levels and rain drive the fishing more than the tide in the rivers. The fall rains bring the fish in, but too much rain can blow out the rivers. Check river levels before you go. In the saltwater, tides matter, and the last quarter moon this weekend softens them.
Tackle & Tactics
For coho, a spinner, a spoon, or a jig under a float. For steelhead, a bead, a jig under a float, or a drift rig with yarn and eggs. For chum, a jig or a fly. Medium spinning or casting gear with 10- to 15-pound line works for most of it.
Local Intel This Week
Many rivers have public access at parks and boat launches, and the Columbia has numerous launches along both the Oregon and Washington sides. Fish are concentrated in the rivers after a rain. Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead regulations are complex and change often with emergency rules, so check current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and emergency closures before fishing.
This Week’s Tip
Coho are aggressive when they are fresh from the saltwater, but they become much more selective as they move up the river. Use bright, flashy lures for fresh fish, and switch to smaller, more subtle presentations as the fish color up and slow down.
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