MAY
Shad: Columbia River, OR and WA
Want to catch 50 fish a day? Try the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam for 3- to 4-pound shad.

Six- to 10-pound-test line and a slow-action rod make a good combination for the angler who favors spinning or casting gear. Put a small rubber grub on a jig head and hang it in the current. Depth is crucial; enough weight should be used in fast water to take the lure close to the bottom.

Rig a sliding sinker on the main line to a barrel swivel and 30 inches of leader to the jig. Plain jigs (no color) will catch fish. When the bite slows, add yellow, green or red.

For a guided trip, call Ed Iman (503-658-3753) at Columbia River Trophy Sport Fishing.

Other Choices
In southwest Oregon, hunt Howard Prairie Reservoir for its big rainbows and steelhead. Or head to central Oregon and fish tiny beadhead nymphs and salmonfly dries to native Deschutes River redbands.

JUNE
Largemouth Bass: Crane Prairie Reservoir, OR
It's no secret that Crane Prairie Reservoir hosts Oregon's best public largemouth bass fishing east of the Cascades. Some say it's the best in the Northwest.

Mobility is the key to catching Crane's big bass. Bring your boat or rent one from Crane Prairie Resort (541-383-3939). Fish the structure. Target submerged stumps and dead, standing timber. Pitch baits near weedbeds and explore downed trees and rocky points, looking for spots where bass hide to ambush prey.

Cast and retrieve shallow-running crankbaits in frog, crayfish or minnow patterns. Oh, it doesn't hurt to get up early in the morning.

To book a guided trip, call Central Oregon Fishing at 541-598-0008.

Other Choices
For Puget Sound Chinook, troll flasher-and-hoochie combos, or employ a mooching rig and herring. In Oregon, head east for Brownlee Reservoir for crappie, smallmouth bass and catfish.

JULY
Walleye: Columbia River, WA and OR
July is a great time to chase walleye on the Columbia. Averaging 4 to 8 pounds, they feed heavily on perch, northern pikeminnow (squawfish), bass and shad. The biggest fish are females. The state record stands at 19 pounds, 15.3 ounces.

For the most fish, concentrate your efforts between The Dalles and Umatilla.

One effective rig has a 3-foot leader, a light spinner blade, fluorescent green beads and a double hook setup baited with a night crawler that hangs straight down on both hooks. Use 5 inches of hollow-core lead on a slider rig to bounce it on the bottom.

Baits should be presented on a long line or off to the side of the boat's path of travel. When you feel a strike, drop the rod and count to three before gently setting the hook.

For guides, call Ed Iman (503-658-3753) at Columbia River Trophy Sport Fishing, or Jack LaFond of Young's Fishing Service (800-270-7962).

Other Choices
In southwest Washington, head up to Yale Reservoir and troll a Wedding Ring spinner for kokanee. Or head to the east side for largemouth bass in Potholes Reservoir.

AUGUST
Smallmouth Bass: John Day River, OR If you like 100-fish days, the John Day River is your kind of place. Smallmouth bass here average 10 to 14 inches, but can weigh 5 pounds.

They feed on smaller fish, insects, leeches, snails and crayfish. Fry tend to stay in schools away from larger fish; if you are catching little bass, move to deeper water.

On overcast days or when the sun is low, smallmouths become susceptible to poppers fished next to the bank, dead-drifted rubber-legged bass nymphs, or plastic worms.

Try the stretch of river between Kimberly and Service Creek. For a guided trip, call Steve Fleming at Mah-Hah Outfitters (888-624-9424), Service Creek Stage Stop (541-468-3331), or James Haley at Wild River Ranch (877-953-2277).

Other Choices
Take a 7-weight fly rod and floating line to the Rogue River and cast Green Butt Skunks or skating flies for steelhead. Catch a charter out of Astoria, Newport, Depoe Bay or Brookings for Chinook and coho salmon.