The spring halibut season is a great excuse to play on the big pond and tangle with eating-sized halibut like the one the author boated 22 miles west of Newport. Photo by Gary Lewis.

Pacific Northwest anglers have so many options, it can be difficult to decide where to go. But you want to catch more fish and bigger fish this year than last year. That means you need to hit the best water at the peak of the runs, when fish are on the bite.

Washington-Oregon Game & Fish knows Northwest fishing -- when it's best, where to go and whom to call.

JANUARY
Steelhead, Snake River
Hit the highway for Hells Canyon. Launch at Heller Bar for the run upstream. January is a great time to intercept summer steelhead on the Snake, and our summer run was exceptional.

"We've got a real good chance of breaking the all-time record this year. It should be good," said Tim Johnson, owner of Fish Hawk Guides. "Early in the year, from October into November, you find the fish in the shallows, in between 2 and 8 feet of water. By January, those fish have gone deeper and you're going to catch them anywhere from 15 to 35 feet."

Drifting bait works good now. You have to be more patient. It takes more weight and you have to work slower water, said Johnson.

For Columbia River Fish Passage Reports, check out the Web site www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp. Johnson is at (888) 548-8896 or www.fishhawkguides.com.

Other Choices
Cowlitz River steelhead will be found in the water below Blue Creek all the way up to the Barrier Dam.

For fresh steelhead in the Portland area, the Sandy is January's best option.

FEBRUARY
Steelhead, Grande Ronde River
If you want to catch steelhead on a fly, this Snake River tributary starts fishing well in October. By February, steelhead will be spread throughout the river. Plenty of fish in the pocket water at close quarters make the Grande Ronde a prime destination.

In the cold water, a swinging presentation isn't as effective as a dead-drifted nymph. Fish a beadhead nymph beneath a strike indicator. Present it close to the bottom and work every seam that could hold a fish.

Drive the river or hike in to more remote water, or base-camp at the Minam Motel and take to the rails.

Other Choices
On the Clackamas River, look for steelhead all the way up to McIver Park.

At Rocky Ford Creek, public access and the best fishing are found in the top reach, near the headwaters

MARCH
Steelhead, North Umpqua River
For winter steelhead, March is your month and the North Umpqua is your river. Bring a drift boat to work the rocky ledges and side-drift the long runs with salmon eggs or a yarn fly.

Put a sliding snap swivel on the main line, and then run a swivel and 24 inches of 10-pound leader to an egg loop on a No. 6 red bait hook. To the sliding snap, attach a slinky weight or pencil lead.

To minimize tangles, each rod and reel should be matched with the same line and weight.

For a guided trip, call Gary's Guide Service at (541) 672-2460 or Chris Carson at (541) 261-3279.