Summer Steelhead Trip Advice

June is pretty early for summer steelhead on the Deschutes. Maaaaaaaybe you might find one. There is a reason people don't really start trying for them until August. I guess if the dam counts start going bonkers early at The Dalles dam it might be worth a try, but I wouldn't hold my breath...

The Deschutes trout and whitefish fishing will be popping off though, and the canyon scenery can't be beat. Rattlesnakes, ospreys, red winged blackbirds, bighorn sheep, I always recommend it to fisherfolk wanting to experience Oregon. It can be really hot, like 100°+, but also might only be in the 80s. Trout fishing on the Deschutes is always a good choice. Fish any style you want, it will work. Also if you are nymphing for trout, your odds at catching a steelhead are as good or probably better than people actually targeting steelhead. Just break it off if you can't land it in more than a few minutes.

Metolius would be also be a good option, albeit more challenging, but another place where the scenery can't be beat. Beautiful wild redbands and bull trout (and whitefish!). You and your partner will marvel at the scenery while you get skunked. Another "fishing in Oregon" experience.
 
Lots of rivers in western Washington have steelhead runs peaking in June.
Washougal, East Lewis, North Lewis, and Kalama are the most well known.

None are excellent fisheries but they do have steelhead in that time frame
 
Paige said:
The Skykomish River from the boat ramp below the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River will be open for hatchery summer steelhead and hatchery Chinook from June 10 to July 10 with a daily limit of two adult fish, night closure, and the anti-snagging rule in effect. This section of the river was closed in 2024 and had a brief three-day opening in 2023

Not much bank access in that stretch anymore and past returns say there will be very few Steelhead, better shot at getting a Chinook.

Washington state really doesn't care about our state fish!
Click to expand...
Just saw something about the Sky being open from the mouth to the
Paige said:
The Skykomish River from the boat ramp below the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River will be open for hatchery summer steelhead and hatchery Chinook from June 10 to July 10 with a daily limit of two adult fish, night closure, and the anti-snagging rule in effect. This section of the river was closed in 2024 and had a brief three-day opening in 2023

Not much bank access in that stretch anymore and past returns say there will be very few Steelhead, better shot at getting a Chinook.

Washington state really doesn't care about our state fish!
Click to expand...
Check the updates on the Sky... Just saw something about it being open from the mouth of the Sky to the Wallace River.
Paige said:
The Skykomish River from the boat ramp below the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River will be open for hatchery summer steelhead and hatchery Chinook from June 10 to July 10 with a daily limit of two adult fish, night closure, and the anti-snagging rule in effect. This section of the river was closed in 2024 and had a brief three-day opening in 2023

Not much bank access in that stretch anymore and past returns say there will be very few Steelhead, better shot at getting a Chinook.

Washington state really doesn't care about our state fish!
Click to expand...
Check updates on the Sky... The LOAF was changed according to what was posted by "the chemest"... In another thread, he stated that the Sky will be open from the mouth to the Wallace River...
 
FlyGuy said:
Just saw something about the Sky being open from the mouth to the

Check the updates on the Sky... Just saw something about it being open from the mouth of the Sky to the Wallace River.

Check updates on the Sky... The LOAF was changed according to what was posted by "the chemest"... In another thread, he stated that the Sky will be open from the mouth to the Wallace River...
Click to expand...
So that is for the summer chinook fishery. That fishery is currently slated from the mouth to the Wallace. Season is from June 10th to July 10th or until we hit the wild fish quota.

The summer steelhead fishery is currently slated from June 15th to July 15th from the 2024-2025 regs. Location is the big eddy to the forks. Worth noting in the wdfw announcement has this fishery opening on the 10th. I suspect the fishery will open from the mouth to the forks on the 10th.

The north fork is currently open for catch and release trout as is the South fork above the falls.

wdfw.wa.gov

Washington salmon fishing seasons tentatively set for 2025-2026

April 16 correction: The Skykomish River fishing area under Puget Sound salmon fisheries was corrected to extend from the mouth to the Wallace
wdfw.wa.gov wdfw.wa.gov
 
Paige said:
The Skykomish River from the boat ramp below the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River will be open for hatchery summer steelhead and hatchery Chinook from June 10 to July 10 with a daily limit of two adult fish, night closure, and the anti-snagging rule in effect. This section of the river was closed in 2024 and had a brief three-day opening in 2023

Not much bank access in that stretch anymore and past returns say there will be very few Steelhead, better shot at getting a Chinook.

Washington state really doesn't care about our state fish!
Click to expand...
 
Dave M said:
Oops. Meant to agree with the last statement.
Steelhead apparently don't feed our Orcas.
Click to expand...
I also was told from a wdfw biologist the last two plant years at reiter with low steelhead stocking they were rearing chinook there as well. We may not have much of a season next year to protect those chinook coming back.
 
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