Filed Under: Feature, Walleye, Perch & Pike Tagged With: bcfishn, castlegar fishing, castlegar walleye, columbia river bc walleye, columbia river walleye fishing, fishing walleye bc, how to fish walleye columbia river, kootenay walleye, pass creek bc, robson bc, trail walleye fishing, walleye castlegar, walleye fishing in bc, where to fish walleye castlegar, Smile Blade Super Slow Death Rigs by Mack’s Lure, BC Walleye Fishing – Columbia River Castlegar, Columbia River Walleye Fishing- Castlegar, Winter Rainbow Trout Fishn on The Columbia River, Castlegar BC. The river is closed to boat fishing for the first 3,000 feet below John Day Dam. Fishing Schedule. Anglers come from all around to target Walleye in the mighty Columbia River. The BC Kootenay region has one of the best-kept Walleye fisheries in all of Western Canada. The Columbia River is open all year for warmwater species, including walleye. Much has been written about walleye fishing downstream of McNary Dam due to more trophy-sized bugeyes taken there than most any place in the Columbia River. Walleye were first introduced to the Columbia River system in 1960 when they were stocked into Lake Roosevelt in the USA, approximately 200kms south of the BC and Washington border. Walleye spawn once the water temperature reaches between 43-50F. Come experience for yourself why the BC West Kootenay Region has quickly become a premium Walleye fishing destination in the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia river water temperatures are still hovering around 42° and we’re starting to see some bigger fish show up. Over the past few decades the Walleye have migrated up river into the Canadian portion of the river between Waneta and the town of Castlegar. Licensed as a Oregon fishing guide and Washington fishing guide we cover many places throughout the best areas of the fishery. $175+tax per person for a full day. Slow troll less than 1.2 mph up river and always keep your line 45 degrees to the boat. Simply use a tri-swivel with a ¾ to 1-ounce weight and a 14-inch leader to a hook baited with a dew worm and small scented marshmallows. Mercury outboard which safely accommodates 2 … Spinners, small spoons and baited jigs casted and retrieved close to the bottom can also be productive, especially during the evening when the fish are up shallow. There are essentially 2 peak periods of the year that this Walleye fishery becomes very productive: Early spring during the pre-spawn phase and late summer/early fall before the cooler weather approaches. The rule of thumb is to start in shallow water (20 feet) in the morning and work your way out until you locate fish. Once the water temperature starts to warm greater than 35F the Walleye start to migrate in. Using quality sonars that can detect contours will help improve your odds in locating these fish. The average sizes of these fish are between 16-21 inches, (1.5 to 2.5lbs) which makes for perfect table fare. For information and tackle on the lower Columbia, call Larry McClintock at Critter Gitter Custom Walleye Tackle in Portland, (503) 257-0553. This is definitely one of the best places Where to catch walleye on the Columbia River This rig is a trolling sinker intended to fish slowly while keeping bottom contact. The best time for walleye fishing on the Columbia river is early spring into summer, however, Walleye fishing is generally steady year round. CURRENTS & MOON PHASES. The resident population of Walleye will start to prepare to forage for the coming cooler fall and winter months. The most successful way to pursue these fish is from a boat, by either bottom bouncing a spinner rig or by jigging the river bottom. Everything you will need to go fishing is provided. The river area across from the Celgar Pulp Mill and below Keenleyside Dam offers superb shore fishing. In Lake Roosevelt, behind Grand Coulee Dam, walleyes move from deeper water to shallow rocky shorelines and larger tributaries as water temperature warms in the spring. Most anglers put their rods up till spring . There is plenty of camping along the river from Pass Creek Campground located in Robson and Kootenay River Kampground in Castlegar. You’ll often have to change between neutral, reverse and forward to make sure your line is vertical. These lures put off the perfect roll to the bait and an offset wobble that emulates a dying bait fish that the Walleye can’t resist! He stays constantly aware of where the fish are and the most current techniques and lures/baits to use to get the most fish. The third week of March to the beginning of May is a good window of opportunity to target the pre-spawn fish. Known as The Walleye Capital of the World, the walleyes in this lake can get big and run up the Rainy River in the spring to adhere to their spawning ritual. The event takes place at Peach Beach Camp Park in Goldendale Washington along the famed Columbia River. Walleye fishing, walleye fishing guides, fishing for walleye in Oregon, Columbia River, structure, fresh bait, year-round fishing how to catch walleye and the most popular words are used water levels streamflow and tides are important. The bite will look like a tap-tap then a heavy loaded tip, at this point set the hook! Walleye prefer to reside near the river bottom in slacker water conserving their energy and waiting to ambush their prey. This portion of river offers slow moving water with deep pools and sandy-gravel bottoms that make it prime Walleye territory. The Pacific Northwest has tempered its weather which means spring-time walleye fishing. Schedule your Oregon Fishing Charter Today. Jigging has to be one of the most popular and effective methods in the Columbia River when targeting Walleye. Anglers can experience good results in fishing from the shore for Walleye. Now that the word is getting out and anglers are experiencing these fantastic eating fish for themselves, this fishery is vastly growing in popularity. The water conditions from Robson to the dam are more like lake conditions rather than a river. The section below Robson requires a boat with much more power as the river current becomes stronger. The key to jigging for these fish is not only to keep contact with the bottom, but to also keep your fishing line directly vertical below the boat. Tipping the jigs with dew worms or scented grubs is the ticket to encourage the fish to strike. Use Multiple Techniques – Don’t be afraid to take multiple approaches. Our guides are focusing on area’s that … Walleye are perfectly suited for the Columbia Rivers fast current and silty waters. Great savings on Columbia River, United States fishing charters. The Walleye on the big river reach upwards of 13 pounds! Moon phases are important for walleye fishing. 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