Hanford Reach Area

It was a Fall chinook salmon return to the Hanford Reach area from September through November, with the best fishing in late September to mid-October. Be sure to check the latest regulations and emergency measures to protect sturgeon and salmon or to open additional salmon seasons. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is best between McNary Dam and the Wallula area, in October and November. All wild steelhead must be released. Main boat access sites for the Hanford Reach area are at Vernita Bridge in Grant County (rough, no ramp), and Wahluke and Ringold in Franklin County.

The Reach is Located in south central Washington State. It begins at the foot of Priest Rapids Dam and extends 51 miles to the McNary Dam north of the City of Richland. Hanford Reach is the only free flowing stretch of the Columbia River in the United States that is not tidally influenced.

Hanford Reach offers an excellent opportunity for a large Chinook. These fish will average 20 to 30 pounds. Fish in the fifty pound range aren't uncommon.
"We've seen fish on the spawning grounds that -- from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail -- have been 4 feet long," says Joe Hymer, a Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist who has conducted spawning surveys on the reach. "Actually, myself, I've seen a 67-pounder."

They're big fish, probably because the riverbed is lined with large, pineapple-size cobbles, and brute strength is required to sweep them away when creating a spawning nest, or "redd," as they're called.

"During our surveys when the river is clear, sometimes the fish are so large the redds look like craters dug out by a bulldozer," Hymer says. "They're massive redds."

Unlike most chinook, upriver brights turn predominately red as they mature just before spawning.

Large plugs such as Kwikfish, Wiggle Warts or Hot Shots work well, but the bait of choice is cut plug herring trolled on downriggers close to the bottom. Trolling speed should be just enough to allow your boat to slowly drift downriver. Three good locations are known as the King hole, Pipe hole and the N Reactor hole. All three locations will hold and produce fish due to the deeper water.

Daily fluctuations in water levels at the Reach can be extreme and rapid, so extreme caution must be taken while beaching your boat. Every year vessels get stranded on the shore when the water level drops. Leaving your boat tied up on the bank for and extended period is not recommended.