Hanford Reach Fishing
The Vernita/Hanford Reach area is a spectacular fishery that has the longest free flowing stretch of water between dams. The 50-mile stretch has crystal clear water, creating perfect spawning grounds for hundreds of thousands of fall Chinook Salmon. The Hanford King Salmon travel more than 400 miles up the Columbia River which are the same fish that we catch at Buoy 10. The fish go through some color change, mainly due to the long journey in warmer water conditions but still have that nice pink, oily meat.
The Hanford Reach Kings are hard fighting fish and thought to be a tougher strain than Columbia’s down river fish. The medium sized river has 50-foot deep holes, fast runs, trenches, broken water and channeled banks that create perfect habitat for holding fish. Fishing the Hanford Reach is a lot less crowded than some of the lower sections of the Columbia River and the kicker is catching 30-50 lb. fish. We have 3 Stott’s fishing guides that work the Hanford Reach King season starting early September, fishing through middle October. We launch at both, Ringold white bluffs area and the Vernita Bride boat ramps, all depending on fishing success. The most common area is above the Vernita Bridge towards the Priest Rapids Dam. Salmon Holes such as King Hole, China Bar, and Midway drift, Vernita Bar are popular among the guides.