Winter steelhead fishing on the Hood River continues to be slow and counts of steelhead over Bonneville are still very low. Numbers of fish in the river will increase by early spring.

2021 was the final release for hatchery winter steelhead smolts in the Hood River. The 2023 return year will have the bulk of the 2021 release year cohort (2 salt fish).

Many steelhead anglers on the Hood are successful with a bobber and soft bead. Bait is allowed on the Hood River.

Rain on snow events cause dynamic flows on the Hood River throughout winter and spring. Best to check current and forecasted flows on the river prior to fishing.