Fishing for walleye in the Columbia River Gorge is a hot ticket
Now is the best time to reel in some tasty fish By Terry Otto, for The Columbian
Published: June 3, 2021, 6:01am
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3 Photos May and June are good months to catch walleye in the Columbia River Gorge. Here a client of guide Shane Magnuson poses with a dandy of a walleye caught last year. (Upper Columbia Guide Service) Photo Gallery
There has been a lot of starting and stopping with spring Chinook seasons this year, but there is one Columbia River fishery that has remained hot, and open all spring the walleye fishery happening in the Columbia River Gorge right now.
Starting point: 170 miles from Seattle
The Route
Freeways have on-ramps, but beaches have access roads. Those in Long Beach, Klipsan Beach, Ocean Park, and Surfside Estatesâa 13.5-mile stretchâallow cars all year long, but sections both north and south close April 15 through Labor Day (some open during razor clam season). Closed sections may protect habitat for snowy plover birds.
The best beach drives happen outside of prime kite-flying season in the summer, and with an eye on the tides. Try entering at Cranberry Road and heading north, avoiding the crowds of Long Beach proper, then circling back to town on regular roads for Dylanâs Cottage Bakeryâs signature sweets.
57 miles
Come for the tidy state park camping spaces, stay for the giant old military installation to climb on. Port Townsendâs historic peninsula park is so crammed with beaches, historic houses, museums, and a boat launch it deserves a multi-day visit. The park boasts two campgroundsâa forested one and beach sites with better viewsâbut they both book out months in advance and can be reserved up to a year ahead.Â
To Everything There Is a Season
Though some campgrounds remain open all year, accessibility, hookups, and other amenities can vary by month. Always check online or by phone for current conditions.