Top-Rated Multi-Species Fishing on Chehalis River

Published Date: September 7, 2025
Fishing

Chehalis, WA
$750 price range

Summary

Ready for a serious fishing challenge? This full-day trip on the Chehalis River is tailored for experienced anglers looking to push their skills to the limit. Captain Chuck knows these waters inside and out, and he'll put you on the best spots for trophy salmon, powerful sturgeon, and feisty trout. The action changes with the seasons, from spring steelhead runs to fall salmon migrations. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped 22-foot jet boat, perfect for navigating the river's varied conditions. Expect to make long casts, battle hard-fighting fish, and potentially land the catch of a lifetime. With only room for three guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and guidance to refine your technique. This isn't a leisurely day on the water – it's an intense, 8-hour pursuit of some of Washington's most prized game fish. Bring your A-game and be prepared for some serious angling action.

Top-Rated Multi-Species Fishing on Chehalis River

Big Fish, Big Fights

Angler holding a 22-inch fish in Chehalis

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Two people fishing with one catch in Chehalis

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1 great fish caught by 3 people in Chehalis

Washington salmon fishing

Two rainbow trout caught while fishing in Chehalis

Fishing for beginners in Washington

Tackle Trophy Fish on Chehalis River

Hey there, fellow angler! If you're itching for a hardcore fishing adventure that'll test your mettle, you've just stumbled onto the mother lode. Captain Chuck's full-day trip on the Chehalis River is where serious fishermen come to play. We're talking big fish, tough fights, and the chance to land some real monsters. This ain't your grandpa's lazy afternoon of drowning worms – we're here to hunt trophies and make memories that'll have you grinning for years to come.

What to Expect on the Water

Alright, let's break it down. You're in for a solid 8 hours of pure fishing action. We'll be cruising the Chehalis in Chuck's tricked-out 22-foot jet boat, hitting all the prime spots where the big boys like to hang out. This river's got a reputation for serving up some of Washington's finest fishing, and we're gonna take full advantage.

Depending on when you book, we could be battling spring Steelhead, mid-season Salmon, or those bruiser fall fish that'll make your arms feel like noodles. And let's not forget about the Sturgeon – these prehistoric beasts can turn even the most seasoned angler into a wide-eyed rookie.

Chuck knows this river like the back of his hand, so get ready for some local intel that'll put you right where you need to be. Just a heads up – this trip is for folks who know their way around a rod. We're talking long casts, reading the water, and being ready to rumble when a big one hits. Pack your A-game, 'cause these fish don't mess around.

Techniques That Land Lunkers

On this trip, we're pulling out all the stops. Depending on our target and the conditions, we might be drifting eggs for Steelhead, trolling with flashers for Salmon, or anchoring up to tempt those bottom-dwelling Sturgeon with some stinky bait.

Chuck's got the boat rigged with top-notch gear, but if you've got a favorite setup, bring it along. We'll be using everything from light tackle for finesse fishing to heavy-duty rods that can handle a Sturgeon's initial run.

Expect to cycle through various techniques throughout the day. We might start off back-bouncing roe through deep holes, switch to pulling plugs along current seams, then finish up with some good old-fashioned bank fishing if the bite is on. The name of the game is adaptability – the fish don't always read the rulebook, so we've got to stay on our toes.

Top Catches This Season

The Chehalis has been firing on all cylinders lately. Just last week, we had a group hook into a 52-pound Chinook that took them on a wild ride downstream before we could finally net it. Another regular landed his personal best 9-foot Sturgeon after an epic hour-long battle. And let's not forget about the guy who came for Salmon but ended up with a surprise 18-pound Steelhead that hit like a freight train.

These are the kind of fish stories you'll be telling for years, and trust me, they happen more often than you'd think on this stretch of river. Chuck's got a knack for putting clients on fish that'll make their buddies back home green with envy.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Lake Sturgeon: These living fossils are the heavyweight champs of the Chehalis. We're talking fish that can top 10 feet and weigh over 300 pounds. They're like hooking into a submarine, and the fight can last for hours. Sturgeon fishing is a game of patience – you might be waiting a while, but when that rod doubles over, hold on tight. Best times are usually late spring through summer when they're actively feeding.

Rainbow Trout: Don't let their smaller size fool you – these guys are scrappy fighters that'll test your light tackle skills. The Chehalis holds some beautiful 'bows, often in the 2-5 pound range. They're suckers for drifted flies or small spinners, and you can target them year-round. The colors on a fresh Chehalis Rainbow are something to behold.

Pink Salmon: Also known as "humpies," these are the smallest of our Pacific Salmon but what they lack in size, they make up for in numbers. During odd-numbered years, the Chehalis sees huge runs of Pinks. They're great fun on light gear and perfect for anglers who want non-stop action. Look for them from late July through September.

Coho Salmon: Silvers, as we call 'em, are the acrobats of the Salmon world. These chrome-bright fish love to go airborne when hooked, providing some of the most exciting fights you'll experience. They typically show up in the Chehalis from September through November, with average sizes around 8-12 pounds. Fresh from the ocean, they're some of the best-eating fish you'll ever taste.

Chinook Salmon: The kings of the river, both in size and prestige. Chehalis Chinooks can top 40 pounds, with some monsters pushing 50+. They're the prime target for many anglers, known for their powerful runs and dogged fights. The best action is usually from August through October. Landing a big Chinook is a bucket-list item for any serious angler.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, if you're still reading this, you know you want in on the action. The Chehalis River is a world-class fishery right in Washington's backyard, and Captain Chuck's got the keys to unlock its potential. Whether you're after the fish of a lifetime or just want to bend some rods with good company, this full-day trip delivers.

Remember, we're limited to three anglers per trip to make sure everyone gets their fair shot at glory. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to pull the trigger. Give Chuck a call, lock in your date, and start dreaming about that moment when your reel starts screaming and you realize you're hooked into something special.

The Chehalis is calling, and trust me, you don't want to let this one get away. See you on the water!

Learn more about the animals

Chinook Salmon

Chinook, or king salmon, are the heavyweight champs of the Pacific salmon. These brutes can top 50 pounds, though 15-30 is more common. They start running our rivers in late summer, with peak action in fall. Kings prefer deep, fast-moving water and often hold in the deepest pools. Anglers target them for their massive size and powerful fights - hooking one is like trying to stop a freight train. Their rich, red flesh is prized for eating too. To land a king, you'll need heavy gear and plenty of patience. Try back-bouncing roe or pulling plugs in deep runs. My local tip: focus on fishing at first light or dusk when these big boys are most active. Landing a trophy king is a bucket-list experience for any angler!

Coho Salmon

Coho, or silver salmon, are the acrobats of the salmon world. These 6-12 pounders are known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. You'll find them in coastal rivers and streams from late summer through fall. Cohos prefer cooler, deeper pools and undercut banks. Anglers prize silvers for their hard-fighting nature and excellent eating quality. They're not as big as kings, but they more than make up for it in attitude. To target cohos, try casting spinners or drifting eggs in deeper runs. Here's a local secret: on sunny days, look for them in shaded areas under overhanging trees. They'll often hold there before pushing upstream. There's nothing like the rush of a chrome-bright coho smashing your lure!

Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon are the giants of our freshwater world. These prehistoric-looking fish can live over a century and grow to 300 pounds. You'll find them hugging the bottom of deep holes and eddies, using their barbels to sniff out crayfish and small fish. Spring and fall are prime times to target them, when they're most active. Anglers love the thrill of hooking into one of these behemoths - it's like battling a submarine. Their meat and roe are prized, but most folks practice catch and release to protect the population. If you want to land one, use a heavy-duty rod with 80-pound test line and a glob of nightcrawlers on a circle hook. Let it sit on the bottom and hold on tight when that rod doubles over!

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon, or "humpies," are the smallest Pacific salmon but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers. Averaging 3-5 pounds, these feisty fish flood our rivers every other year. Look for them in coastal streams from July through September. They're not the hardest fighters, but their sheer abundance makes for non-stop action. Anglers love pinks for their reliability - when they're running, you can catch dozens in a day. Their meat is milder than other salmon, great for smoking or canning. To get into pinks, use light tackle and small, bright lures. My local tip: focus on the tailouts of pools where they stack up before spawning. It's a great way to introduce kids to salmon fishing!

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are a blast to catch and a favorite around here. These colorful fighters usually run 1-5 pounds, though some monsters hit 20+. Look for them in cool, fast-moving streams near riffles and deep pools. They're most active in spring and fall when the water temps are right. Rainbows put up an acrobatic fight, often leaping clear out of the water. Anglers love 'em for their spirited battles and excellent table fare. To up your odds, try drifting salmon eggs or casting small spinners in faster water. My go-to trick is using light line and small hooks - these fish have sharp eyes and can be leader shy. Nothing beats the rush of a rainbow crushing your fly on a cold mountain stream!

About the 22 ft. Alumweld (Jet boat)

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 20

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 200

We'll be hitting the Chehalis River in a sleek 22-foot jet boat, perfect for navigating the waters and getting us to prime fishing spots. This vessel is fully equipped with top-notch gear for battling big salmon, sturgeon, and trout. There's plenty of deck space for casting and reeling in those monster catches. The boat comfortably fits our group of 3 anglers plus Captain Chuck, giving everyone room to move around and fish effectively. With its powerful engine, we can cover a lot of river territory in our 8-hour trip. The boat's sturdy construction is built to handle the tough fights you'll encounter with trophy-sized fish. It's the ideal platform for experienced anglers looking to push their skills to the limit on Washington's challenging waters.

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