Steelhead Fishing in the Deschutes River in Oregon

Steelhead fishing is a popular pastime in the Deschutes River in Oregon. The Deschutes is a long river that winds through the center of the state. There are three separate groups of steelhead that swim through during the summer and fall, and most anglers choose to fly-fish for them. Some steelhead are available to take home and eat, while the wild steelhead should be released after capture.

  1. Deschutes River

    • The Deschutes River bisects Oregon from north to south. Its temperatures make steelhead willing to come to the surface, where they can be caught by fly-fishermen late into the season. This is not true of some other rivers in Oregon, making the Deschutes a prime location for steelhead fishing in the state. You can fish for steelhead from the mouth of the river up to river mile 100 at Pelton Dam. Most fish will be found between the mouth and river mile 43 at Sherars Falls.

    Steelhead

    • Steelhead are a species of trout that includes rainbow trout. They are born in rivers, but make their way to the ocean during their lifetime. Some return to the original river to spawn at the end of their lives. These fish are usually dark green in color and speckled, with a red or pink stripe down their sides. They are great to fish for and to eat.

    Fly-Fishing

    • Fly-fishing is primary method used in the Deschutes River to catch steelhead. There are other ways to catch steelhead, including drift fishing and pulling plugs, which are often done from a boat. Fly-fishers use a special type of fishing rod that helps make the lure, a fly, look like a real insect landing on the surface of the river. The fly is usually very light and the most successful colors for you to try are the darker ones for this particular river.

    Steelhead Season

    • The steelhead season for the Deschutes River can last from June until November. There are three "runs" of fish that will come through during those times. The hatchery run, which will be comprised of medium-sized fish, between six and 12 pounds. The early summer run, called the "A" run, is usually where you'll find the smaller fish, while the "B" run at the end of the season will usually have the largest steelhead.

    Oregon Regulations

    • There are both hatchery fish and wild fish in the Deschutes, and many of them will be tagged for tracking purposes. The hatchery fish will be noticeable because they will not have an adipose fin, the small fin above their tails. They will also have a maxillary clip, which is part of their upper lip. If you catch a tagged hatchery fish, you should report it to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Some wild steelhead will have an orange tag. These fish should be released immediately, and do not need reporting.