Columbia River Walleye questions?

[Pondscum]

I have read with interest all the different theories about Walleye and whether they should be released, or all killed as smolt eaters. I have never caught one but will be on the John Day at the mouth of the Columbia at the end of May and first part of June. Does anyone know if there are walleye in that part of the river (close to the mouth of the John Day). I have a 16' Bass Tracker w/a 35 on the back so I dont know how far out into the river I want to venture. Also what kind of lures should I have? I plan to keep at least 1 fish to eat.

[trap50]

Don't know if they are there or not. A good all around bet would be a bottom walker with a worm harness.

[bucketmouth]

Your post leaves me to wonder if you are talking about the John day on the lower Columbia or the John Day in Central Oregon?

[Pondscum]

We camp up river from Lepage park where the John Day empties into the Columbia, but run down river to the Columbia with some frequency. I would be looking for Walleye in the Columbia itself, not the John Day. Sorry for the confusion. Any ideas on Walleye where the John Day dumps into the Columbia?

[shalom]

There are two John Day River's that i know of that flow into the Columbia River . One is near Astoria and the other is near Rufus . I have been told that Walleye's will venture down to salt and stop there .The tides back the Columbia River all the way to Bonnievill Dam , And there are a lot of Walleye's in the lower Columbia. I wish that i knew for sure how much salt it took to stop them ? I would try the Columbia with bottom walkers, jigs, and i would troll some crankbaits . You will pick up a lot of other fish with these suggestions . There has been a lot ot post on fishing around Rufus on this thread . Walley's can be caught using these idea's any place that there are Walley's .

[Pondscum]

Thanks, I am talking about the the upper Columbia I guess, well near Biggs Junction/Rufus area that is. I will give it a shot. With the walking type rigs do you drag them on the bottom against the current or do you let the current "walk them" away from you? I have seen some of the rigs on In Fisherman and similar shows but it has been a while.

[shalom]

If the wind is blowing , drift with the current and use your motor to correct and maintain control of your boat . Boat control is very important . Be sure that you read all of the post on this thread .You can do a search for additional information on this area . I am sorry , i didn't look to see if you are local . The Oregon Bass And Panfish next meeting Will have a dry clinics on how to catch Walleye , Bass , Crappie and rod building. Drop me a pm if you are interested in coming .

[bucketmouth]

Pondscum, now that I know which John Day you are talking about, I would suggest that besides using the baits Shalom told you about, look for water in the 13 to 30 foot range. Drift with the current, run back up and start your drift over again. Since Rufus is so close to the John Day, you might consider taking out and driving the 4 miles to the Rufus boat launch and fish for walleye there. You can get walleye right across the river from the launch. Or just start your drift at the launch on the Oregon side and keep your bait in the depths I suggested.

[Pondscum]

Shalom,

Thanks for the info, I'll let you know how it works out. Got some worm harness/spinners today. Chartreuse, yellow, red and flourescent green. I also have a pretty good selection of crank baits and small mouth jigs and plastic. As far as the meeting goes it sounds interesting. I'm in Salem and don't get up to Portland much. I work most weekends and evenings so it probably wouldn't work out. agin thanks for the info.

[shalom]

If you have a chance to make a meeting , be sure and look me up . We have members that come up from Salem . I will be glad to introduce you and who knows , maybe you can ride together and save some gas .Ask any board member and they will help you out .

[j.d.smallie]

I read a ODFW report recently that there are walleyes being caught in the John Day pool. I had some success at Rufus dragging a Gitsit with a worm trailer. Slow jigging it works best. You may even hit a bass or two. We found fish in 15'-25'. Good Luck!

[Pondscum]

Thanks JD, think were gonna give it a try.

[Bendman]

Pondscum, My family has made the yearly trip to LePage to fish for smallies since I was a baby. Sometimes I go a couple times a year depending how much is going on. That being said I have only caught a hand full of walleye in the pool. Maybe it’s because I’m always fishing for small mouth and my presentation is FAST. If you want to catch Walleye’s like someone else said just drive down the road to Rufus. Put in at Giles French, then you can get into all the walleye you want.

[Pondscum]

Bendman,

Thanks for the Walleye info. In regards to smallies, do you do better out in the Columbia than you do upriver on the John Day? I have been fishing upriver from Lepage park once a year for about 3 years now. We catch quite a few smallies upriver near "the chute," but most are pretty small (11-14"). Mostly using grubs and gitzits. We also have had some success fishing for catfish in the John Day but it's pretty hit and miss. We usually camp in the campground on the east side of the river up from Lepage a mile or so. Because were camped upriver, we usually fish upriver. This year I'm thinking about camping in the same spot, but moving down river to fish the John Day where it flows out into the Columbia. Any info you have in regards targeting either Samllmouth or Catfish would also be much appreciated.

[Bendman]

Pondscum, That park is about 3 miles up. I camp there also. I have caught a lot more fish closer to the mouth than up there. In fact directly across from LePage is an awesome spot. I can’t count how many five pounders I have caught there. If you feel adventurous definitely fish the banks of the Columbia. You have to pick your days but I grew up fishing it in a little 14’ aluminum boat. What I liked to do is motor directly across from the mouth of the JD, then troll up river. We would troll insanely fast just when you think your going too fast go faster. Mostly we would use Rooster tails, curly tail jigs, hot shots, crawdad rapalas(sp) and last but not least Buck Perry spoon plugs. Being that Buck is the one who taught us to fish smallies. Fish close to the boat, we caught several fish over 4 pounds only 10 to 15 feet behind the boat. I would even stick my pole down in the water to get it deep enough so I could fish close. We would troll the banks until a couple of us hooked good fish then we would park and fish off shore for a while. Remember don’t be afraid to reel fast. When those fish are moving in to spawn they are aggressive ! As far as the catfish go you can catch big cats right there at the boaters park. Save all scraps you get from filleting the bass. Those fish LOVE cut bait. Fresh stuff, not old stinky garbage. You can do pretty good for catfish from the park all the way up to the narrows. If you get up to the narrows you can drift fish for catfish just like you do salmon and steelhead. It’s pretty fun. The only difference is your using cut bait. Good luck and let me know when your going. If I’m not on the ocean I’ll probably be around there, It’s a fun time of year. Too many things to fish for.

[Pondscum]

Bendman,

Thanks for the great information. When you say you fished for smallies across from Lepage are you talking about on the Washington side of the river, or on the east side of the John Day in the boaters park? You also mentioned a Buck Perry spoon. I don't think I'm familiar with those or where to get them? You also mentioned drift fishing for catfish. Do you cast and let the bait drift in a pool, or do you cast out and let your boat drift down river with the bait behind it? We usually just tried to find a hole and put our bait on the bottom. Usually used chicken livers. Again with only moderate success. A few channel cats, but mostly bullheads in the 1-2 lb range. Not real exciting. We did get some channels last summer in the narrows. We just anchored and walked up and fished in holes amongst the rock walls. Again it was pretty spotty, pretty late in the year also and the water was gettin kinda froggy up high. We are gonna be on the river Monday, May 31 though Tuesday June 2. Gonna be in a 16' Bass Tracker blue stripes w/ a 35 Mercury on the back. Look us up if your gonna be around.

[Bendman]

What might be easier is if you pm me your number. I’ll give you a call so then I can explain things better.If you feel uncomfortable doing that, that’s ok, just let me know and I will try and articulate it better for you.

Pete