Gilbert River

The Gilbert River, a vital tributary of the Multnomah Channel near Portland, Oregon, is a significantly popular and accessible recreational fishery, primarily celebrated for its reliable hatchery steelhead runs. Despite its modest size, the river functions as a critical component of the lower Columbia Basin, providing consistent winter steelhead opportunities from December through March, largely owing to strategic ODFW stocking.

The main piscatorial pursuit is its prolific winter steelhead fishery, supported by a substantial hatchery program. While Chinook and coho salmon also utilize the system, their angling opportunities are more limited. Angling techniques are expertly adapted to the river's characteristics, with precision drift fishing and highly effective float fishing using jigs or roe. Fly anglers achieve success with dead-drifted nymphs or small streamers, emphasizing scent and vibration in often turbid waters. Access is predominantly via excellent bank fishing opportunities along the Multnomah Channel, rendering it exceptionally convenient for urban anglers. Regulations, meticulously managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), are subject to annual revisions concerning bag limits for hatchery fish, and stringent wild fish release mandates. Strict adherence to current ODFW directives is unequivocally required for legal compliance and sustainable resource management.