Hood River Fishing
The Hood River is often overlooked but has some nice run of spring chinook salmon as well as both summer and winter steelhead. Spring Chinook fishing seasons generally only opens by special regulation when there is a decent run forecast, but if the fishery is allowed the angling will be the best around May and June. Steelhead fishing is open year-round in the mainstem and a short section of the West Fork below Punchbowl Falls. Best of all there are at least a few steelhead around all year and by far most are caught from late winter to early spring (February through April).
One important note is that bait fishing is allowed for salmon and steelhead fishing, but as far a trout artificial flies and lures are all that is allowed and the fishery is catch and release.
Hood River East Fork
On the south slope of Mount Hood in Oregon’s Cascade Range, the Newton-Clark Glacier releases water into the East Fork Hood River. The river flows for roughly 2.5 miles toward the southeast before turning sharply to the north. After this turn, Oregon State Highway 35 follows the river. The river is managed as a recreational river over its 13.5 mile stretch from Highway 35 (just east of Sahalie Falls) to the Mt. Hood National Forest boundary.
The river enters a tighter, steep-sided canyon with several rocks after flowing across a rather extensive valley bottom created by glacial outwash. There are several springs and tiny tributaries that pour into the river because of the structure of the outwash.
One of the main riverside pastimes is fishing, particularly in areas where getting to the river is simpler. The two main anadromous species are steelhead and coho salmon. In order to cope with the intense fishing pressure, rainbow trout are stocked in the river. Since the glacial outwash offers good terrain for ski trail building, the upper half of the river segment sees extensive use throughout the winter months.
The area inside the corridor, particularly in the upper part, offers very important, high-quality habitat that satisfies the demands of both big and small animals. The region is a crucial location for elk calving and deer fawning, as well as being a key passageway for big game. The river and its surroundings play a significant role in the upper corridor by providing e=xcellent habitat for several speices of fish and is a majore resoruce forthe angling community