Gear & Tackle
Snake River (Hells Canyon)

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Snake River (Hells Canyon) Fishing Guide

Oregon

The Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam on the Oregon and Idaho line, where ODFW says the river may have some of the best summer steelhead fishing in the state, with smallmouth bass and channel catfish.

Photo: Sam Beebe/Ecotrust via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to the Snake River (Hells Canyon) for steelhead, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. In November, steelhead is prime, and Egg Pattern, Intruder and Egg-Sucking Leech are a good place to start.

There are 4 shops nearby (2 fly, 2 bait and tackle), including Hells Canyon Outfitters in Riggins. Also nearby: the Salmon River (Riggins).

Season at a Glance

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Steelhead
Smallmouth Bass
No Agency Season
Channel Catfish
No Agency Season

Legend

This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower No Agency Season Found Closed by Regulation

Agency: ODFW

Season Rules & Licenses

  • Oregon rules (ODFW): steelhead, 3 hatchery fish a day, open Sept. 1 to April 30. ODFW 2026
  • Oregon rules (ODFW): bass, 6 a day, no more than 3 over 15 inches. ODFW 2026

Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.

Most anglers need an Oregon fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.

Buy a License from ODFW ODFW Fishing Regulations

Parts of the Snake River

Snake River (Hells Canyon) Species

Steelhead

Steelhead

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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S
O
N
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Prime: Oct to Mar

View Species
Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

No agency season found.

View Species
Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

No agency season found.

View Species

Species per ODFW.

Images: Timothy Knepp and Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

What to Use

Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November

Steelhead

Prime Now · Oct to Mar

Spin / Cast

8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Rod, Reel and Line

  • RodUgly Stik Elite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod · 8 ft 6 in medium, 8 to 14 lb, fast, 2 pieceCheck Price
  • ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · C3000Check Price
  • LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 8, 10 or 12 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

  • Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline SpinnerSee Options
  • Lure for November · 1/32 to 3/8 ozMarabou Steelhead JigUnder a float.See Options
  • Bait for November · Single or clusterCured Salmon Eggs · Pautzke Balls O' Fire Salmon EggsWhere bait is legal.Check Price

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Buy Local

Shops near Snake River (Hells Canyon):

Map of Snake River (Hells Canyon)

Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fishing VideosWatch Snake River (Hells Canyon) Fishing Videos on YouTube

Planning for a Month

Prime in November

Steelhead

Daylight

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Moon

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Typical Weather

48°F high, 29°F low

About 1.4 in of precipitation for the month.

Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 20 mi away.

Also Worth Packing

Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.

Pack It For: Year-round

Check Price Maker's Page

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.

Pack It For: Year-round

Check Price Maker's Page

Apparel

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer

A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.

Pack It For: Nov to Feb

Check Price Maker's Page

Apparel

Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt

Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.

Pack It For: Nov to Feb

Check Price Maker's Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Ramps and Launches on Snake River (Hells Canyon)

Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB), US Forest Service. Hours and fees change; check before you go.

Shops Near Snake River (Hells Canyon)

Farther Out

Guides and Charters Near Snake River (Hells Canyon)

Farther Out

Nearby Water

Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0

Rivers & Streams · Idaho

Salmon River (Riggins)

Part of the Salmon River

The Lower Salmon River at Riggins, with steelhead, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.

Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout

View Water

Rivers & Streams · Idaho

Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float)

Part of the Salmon River

The Main Salmon's wild section, floated by permit from the Corn Creek launch through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to Carey Creek, with cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead and whitefish.

Cutthroat Trout · Mountain Whitefish · Rainbow Trout

View Water

Photo: Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, Public domain

Rivers & Streams · Idaho

Clearwater River

Home to the Clearwater B strain of steelhead, which return from the Pacific Ocean from October until May.

Steelhead · Rainbow Trout · Chinook Salmon

View Water