Columbia River fishing trip FAQs. Your river day,
made simple.

Dress for the weather and bring the personal items you need for a day on the river. The boat and fishing setup are handled as part of the guided trip.

Yes. The 26 ft Alumaweld has heat, windshield and full canvas for cold-weather fishing.

Use the Rates & Booking page and submit the $100 deposit through the payment form, or contact Elmer directly to discuss a trip.

Absolutely. Family fishing is a big part of the experience — see the customer gallery for real family trips.

Yes. Spring and summer walleye are one of the Mid-Columbia fisheries we feature alongside salmon and sturgeon.

Elmer Hill, 120 SE 5th, Milton-Freewater, Oregon 97862.

Current prices are on the Rates & Booking page: half-day trips from $125 each, full-day salmon or walleye trips at $225 to $250 each depending on group size, $200 for a full day on other species, and $300 for a 10-hour, two-species combo. A $100 deposit holds your date.

Your guide, the 26 ft boat, rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided, and your fish are cleaned and packaged. Rain gear and waders are available on request. Bring your fishing license and harvest card, food and drinks, a cooler, sunblock, a camera and clothing for the weather.

Yes. Each angler needs a valid Oregon or Washington fishing license, plus any harvest card or endorsement for the species being kept. Which state’s rules apply depends on where we fish that day, and Elmer will tell you when you book. Check current rules with ODFW and WDFW before your trip.

Spring Chinook fish best from March through May. Fall Chinook run from August through October, and the Hanford Reach fishes from early September to mid-October. Runs shift with water conditions, so call or text Elmer to pick your date.

Keeper sturgeon fish best in winter and spring when the season is open, oversize sturgeon in summer and early fall, walleye from spring through September, and steelhead in winter and summer. Seasons are set by fish managers and change every year.

A $100 deposit holds your date. The balance is due at the dock in cash, or you can send a check ahead. Deposits are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed with Elmer, so call or text as early as you can if your plans change.

Safety comes first. If wind, cold or river conditions look unsafe, Elmer will talk through your options with you before the trip. In cold weather the boat’s heat, windshield and full canvas keep you comfortable.

Yes. Families, kids and small groups are welcome. Call or text Elmer to plan the right number of anglers and the best trip for your date, including combo days and multi-day trips.

We fish the Mid-Columbia between Oregon and Washington, including the Hanford Reach, McNary Dam and Umatilla, Irrigon, the Deschutes and The Dalles, and the Snake River at certain times of year. Elmer gives you the launch and meeting time when you book.

Yes. Elmer sets up the gear, shows you what to do and picks a fishery that fits your experience. Tell him what you want to catch and how often you have fished, and he will plan the day around you.