Sockeye Salmon
Mid June - July
Sockeye salmon are the culinary king of the Pacific salmon species. Their firm, deep-red flesh and rich flavor make them the most sought-after salmon for the table. The Columbia River supports healthy sockeye returns during the summer, with fish pushing upriver from mid June through July. Sockeye average 5-8 pounds — smaller than Chinook but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and eating quality. When the run is on, the action can be fast and furious, especially at Brewster Pool where fish congregate at the mouth of the Okanogan River. Sockeye trips often overlap with summer Chinook, giving anglers a shot at both species in a single outing.
Book This Trip →Best Seasons to Fish Sockeye Salmon
Timing is everything. Here's when to target Sockeye Salmon on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Summer Run
Mid June - July
Sockeye enter the Columbia in mid June and push upriver through July. Peak fishing hits when fish stack up at key staging areas, particularly the Brewster Pool near the Okanogan River confluence. The Hanford Reach also produces early in the run. Water temperatures in the 50s to low 60s signal prime conditions, and trolling with flashers and hoochies is the go-to technique.
- ▸Hanford Reach
- ▸Brewster Pool
- ▸Okanogan River
Where We Fish for Sockeye Salmon
We guide Sockeye Salmon trips across multiple stretches of the Columbia and Snake River systems.
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Brewster Pool
The premier sockeye destination on the Columbia. Fish congregate here at the mouth of the Okanogan River, creating some of the most concentrated sockeye fishing anywhere in the system.
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Hanford Reach
Early-run sockeye pass through the Hanford Reach, providing opportunities before the main push reaches Brewster.
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Okanogan River
The Okanogan River confluence is where returning sockeye stage before heading into their spawning tributaries, creating a natural bottleneck for anglers.
On the Water
Real catches from real trips with Fish Intimidators.