Spring Chinook Salmon illustration
Spring Chinook SalmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha

Spring Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha · Springer
Peak: MayNativeMostly hatcheryWild run struggling

Spring Chinook enter the Deschutes in April and May on their way to the Warm Springs River and the hatchery at Pelton, peaking at Sherars Falls in early May. Wild returns have dropped sharply, and the river was closed to spring Chinook from 2019 until a short hatchery-only season in May 2026.

Season status · as of Apr 8, 20262026: Open May 5–20 from the mouth to Sherars Falls, the first spring Chinook season since 2018. Hatchery fish only (clipped adipose fin); wild Chinook must be released.Check current ODFW rules ↗

Best flies for spring chinook salmon on this river

Spring Chinook are rarely fished with flies on the Deschutes. Most are caught on gear at Sherars Falls during short hatchery seasons. If you swing for them, use a sink-tip and a large dark fly in deep, slow water, and release any wild fish (adipose fin intact) quickly.

More on the Deschutes River

Redband Rainbow TroutBrown TroutSummer SteelheadFall Chinook SalmonCoho SalmonBull TroutMountain WhitefishSalmonflyGolden StoneflyCaddisflyPale Morning DunBlue-Winged OliveMidges