Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Guide

Why Choose Pacific Drifter Guide Service for Your Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Charter?

When booking a charter with Pacific Drifter Guide Service, you can bet you will be fishing with an experienced and knowledgeable Wind River and Drano Lake fishing Guide. I pride myself on being the most prepared and hardest-working guide on the water. Being a guide is my job, but it stems from my fishing passion. When you love what you do for a living, you put everything you have into providing an exceptional experience. By going above and beyond for my guests, I've built a solid reputation as one of the hardest-working guides in the Pacific Northwest. My many repeat guests who wait every season to book a charter with me to go fishing on the Drano Lake and Wind River are a testament to my dedication to the craft and customer service. Every review and picture taken of my guest’s catches is just one piece of the puzzle that reveals my hard work and love for sharing my passion with others. Book your Drano Lake and Wind River fishing charter with me today to have the best fishing experience imaginable.

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Book Your Wind River and Drano Lake Fishing Experience Today!

Spring Chinook Salmon

Wind River and Drano Lake Salmon fishing is a Northwest favorite destination for spring Chinook salmon. This fishery offers some of the best spring salmon fishing opportunities we have in the Pacific Northwest. The area’s salmon are what many consider to be the best of all salmon species in the Columbia system. Personally, these truly special fish are my favorite type of spring salmon to fish for and eat!

This strain of salmon is often referred to as “black cheeks” or “black mouth” and is characterized by their black lower jaws, grey bellies, and defined spotting on their backs. The most memorable moments I've had fishing on the Wind and Drano River are spent battling to catch these fish with hook and reel, as their sheer power makes the experience both thrilling and enjoyable.

Did I mention they also taste the best? Spring Chinook salmon are a sought-after prize of many because of their vibrant, deep red meat. From the second you see their beautiful turquoise back break the water to the long minute you spend savoring their buttery, rich taste at dinner time, spring salmon are prized as a culinary delight and an indelible fishing experience one should not pass up!

While exhilarating to catch, spring Chinook salmon are easily tracked because they have to pass Bonneville Dam. It's no secret that when the salmon fish counts are high, then fishing is usually good. They start to trickle in early to mid-April, and the runs will peak around mid-May. The season will go through the end of May and sometimes into the first part of June if they have larger run sizes.

Wind River is located east of Stevenson, Washington, and just south of Carson, Washington. The Wind River fishery is supplemented by the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Where they raise and release approximately 1.5 million spring Chinook each year.

Drano Lake is located west of Hood River, Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River. Drano Lake is supplemented by the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. Where they raise and release 1.4 million spring Chinook each year.

Wind River and the Drano Spring salmon runs are definitely a trip worth taking. Especially because of the opportunity to catch and eat one of the finest tasting and flavorful salmon the Northwest has to offer. Bring your coolers with ice afterward because the fishing is usually great, and you will want to ensure you take care of the precious red gold only found from these mid-Columbia River spring salmon.

Fall Salmon Drano Lake

Drano Lake is also a beautiful destination for the fall run salmon, Drano Lake fishing guides will target both Fall Chinook and coho salmon here. This is a great fishery with pristine views of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge. Drano Lake has many fabulous angling opportunities for the coveted Fall Chinook salmon, known as “up-river brights.” Upriver brights are well known for the fall runs best fighting and eating Chinook salmon. Upriver brights are revered as superior fish to other fall-running strains that enter the Columbia River drainage.

These fish are, on average, more significant than their spring-run counterparts, with fish ranging from 10-40lbs and averaging 12-20lbs. The up-river bright strain is a hardy type that stores lots of fats as they have a longer journey up the Columbia River to make their way to their native spawning grounds. This extra fat on their bodies makes for an aggressive fighting fish and excellent table fare. If you are looking for more extensive fishing to tangle with, then look no further than the Drano Lake fall salmon fishing. What's great about the fall run fishing on Drano Lake is that not only do they have colossal Chinook salmon, but they also get coho salmon.

So you will have multiple species of salmon all converging in the lake. Drano Lake in the fall also brings an abundance of other salmon into the lake as they make their way up the Columbia. The reason is that the water temperature of the Columbia River in the fall is extremely warm. Not only will the Drano Lake fish congregate in the lake, but other fish strains will also stage here. The Little White Salmon tributary feeds Drano Lake. This tributary is a mountain-running stream with cooler water entering the lake. It is a prime stopping point for other fish to swim into the lake and cool off from the heated Columbia waters. This is an excellent opportunity for anglers to intercept several different strains of fall salmon.

Fishing in Drano Lake starts in September and will run through October. With Drano Lake being a short drive from the metropolitan area, this is a perfect destination for catching these fall-run salmon, both Chinook and coho.

The Little White River National Fish Hatchery supplements 4.5 million upriver bright fall salmon into the Columbia system. This huge number of fish returns to Drano Lake, providing excellent fishing opportunities for anglers.

If you're looking for an action-packed fishery in the fall close, chartered by an expert Portland fishing guide, then Drano is an incredible option. I'm looking forward to getting you out in the fall to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the Columbia River Gorge, searching for heart-pounding adrenaline-infused battles of fall salmon run.

Fall Salmon Drano Lake

Drano Lake is also a beautiful destination for the fall run salmon, Drano Lake fishing guides will target both Fall chinook and coho salmon here. This is a great fishery with pristine views of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge. Drano Lake has many fabulous angling opportunities for the coveted Fall Chinook salmon, known as “up-river brights.” Upriver brights are well known for the fall runs best fighting and eating chinook salmon. Upriver brights are revered as superior fish to other fall-running strains that enter the Columbia River drainage.

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Imagine the Perfect Day Fishing at the Wind River & Drano Lake Fishery

See What Anglers Are Saying About Their Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Experience with Pacific Drifter

“Pacific Drifter is an excellent choice for guided salmon and steelhead trips! Jordan is very knowledgeable, experienced, and fun to be around. I've fished for multiple species with Jordan;he always does a good job teaching people how to find and catch fish. Catching is never a guarantee, but a good time is. He works very hard for the client, I've always felt like I got my bang for my buck. Regardless of the fact that there are no guarantees in regards to catching fish, I haven't come home unsuccessful when fishing with Jordan.”

– Graeson B.

“Jordan took us out for the 2025 sturgeon open. He got us into fish fast and more importantly, he kept us in the fish. We all went home with a sturgeon. He is a really easygoing guide and within the first few minutes of talking with him, you can tell he truly cares about the future of these waters we all love to fish.”

– Stephen W.

“Thank you, Jordan, for years, you have helped me build some of my greatest memories fishing Buoy 10 with my dad, and sons I can't say enough about the work you put in to make sure we catch our limit, you can be sure we will be using your guide service for years to come.” – James BI’ve been an avid outdoorsman my whole life. And I’ve been with many guides over the years and have never had a better experience and some of the best times with Jordan rose from Pacific Drifter Guide Service. Me, my son, and friends have all taken trips with him on many different fisheries and he’s never failed us. All of us have always ended the day with great laughter great times and some of the greatest memories that I’ll never forget. Jordan Rose will work his heart out for you and whoever steps foot on his boat. I’m so lucky to have met someone hew shares the same passion as me and he’ll never stop trying to spread the passion he holds dear to everyone as well as the knowledge in his field to take home and us on your own. So in closing, thank you so much Jordan Rose and looking forward to many years of fun times and more memories we will make together.”

– Krystapher B.

“I have fished with Jordan as my Salmon fishing guide many times. This guy gets you on the fish! I used him as my steelhead fishing guide a couple of times, and he knows how to find them. Jordan goes over and beyond to take care of his clients. I've been with other Portland fishing guides, and I feel Jordan just tries harder. He is definitely The man to call if you're looking for an Oregon fishing guide! You will not be disappointed!”

– Shane

“I flew in from Florida to get salmon. He is definitely a great salmon fish guide. Not only did we get fish everyone in my party bagged out. If you are looking for a Portland fish guide, look no further”

–Stephen J.

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Wind River & Drano Lake Fishery FAQs

When Is the Best Time To Book My Wind River/ Drano Lake Trip?

Do I Need A Washington Fishing License And Tag For This Fishery?

What Should I Wear and Bring for My Fishing Charter?

Bring warm clothes with the layering method and rain gear, even if the weather is projected to be warm. It's always best to be prepared. The winds and rains can pick up at anything during the spring. It's better not to need them than to be without them. You can always take layers off if the weather is warm. Also, bring something to snack on and drink. Keep the baggage to a minimum so as to have a more comfortable and enjoyable experience on the boat.

Can You Help Me Clean My Fish Before I Bring Them Home?

Is Drano Lake Open 7 Days a Week?

What Is The Catch Limit?

Your Wind River and Drano Fishing Trip Starts Here — Book Your Charter Today

BOOKING REQUEST FORM:

BOOKING DEPOSIT:

A $55 per person non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation.

Deposits are non-refundable if canceled within 14 days of the trip.

Guide Services

Winter Steelhead
Spring Chinook Salmon
Summer Chinook Salmon
Fall Chinook & Coho Salmon
Sturgeon

Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Guide

Why Choose Pacific Drifter Guide Service for Your Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Charter?

Book Your Wind River and Drano Lake Fishing Experience Today!

Spring Chinook Salmon

Fall Salmon Drano Lake

Fall Salmon Drano Lake

Imagine the Perfect Day Fishing at the Wind River & Drano Lake Fishery

See What Anglers Are Saying About Their Wind River & Drano Lake Fishing Experience with Pacific Drifter

Wind River & Drano Lake Fishery FAQs

Your Wind River and Drano Fishing Trip Starts Here — Book Your Charter Today

BOOKING REQUEST FORM:

BOOKING DEPOSIT:

Guide Services

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