Here’s a list of 10 of the most renowned West Coast rivers in North America for steelhead fishing (both winter and summer runs). These rivers are legendary among anglers for the size, strength, and numbers of steelhead they produce:
- Skeena River (British Columbia, Canada)
- World-famous for trophy wild steelhead.
- Numerous legendary tributaries (Bulkley, Kispiox, Babine, Copper, Kalum).
- Dean River (British Columbia, Canada)
- Remote and pristine; famous for hard-fighting summer steelhead.
- Considered one of the ultimate fly-fishing rivers.
- Kispiox River (British Columbia, Canada)
- A Skeena tributary known for producing some of the largest steelhead on record.
- Columbia River System (Washington & Oregon, USA)
- Once the most prolific steelhead system in the world.
- Key tributaries include the Deschutes, John Day, Klickitat, and Grande Ronde Rivers.
- Deschutes River (Oregon, USA)
- Renowned summer-run steelhead river with great fly-fishing opportunities.
- Rogue River (Oregon, USA)
- Offers both summer and winter steelhead runs.
- Known for diverse fishing conditions, from drift boat to walk-in access.
- Umpqua River (Oregon, USA)
- Famous for large winter steelhead.
- North Umpqua is a fly-fishing mecca with strict regulations to preserve wild runs.
- Eel River (California, USA)
- Once legendary for giant winter steelhead.
- Still produces wild fish, though runs have declined; strong conservation focus.
- Russian River (California, USA)
- Accessible steelhead fishery near San Francisco.
- Not as prolific as northern rivers, but culturally significant in California steelheading.
- Skagit River (Washington, USA)
- Historically one of the best winter steelhead rivers in the lower 48.
- Wild runs protected under conservation measures; catch-and-release only in most stretches.