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"Columbia River Fishing Forecast: Chinook, Sturgeon, and Smallmouth Await Anglers in Portland"
The Columbia River fishing scene is looking promising for anglers in Portland and the surrounding areas this Friday, April 11, 2025. Here’s what’s happening on the water today.
The tides today at Longview are as follows: high tide at 3:18 AM (5.3 ft), low tide at 10:53 AM (1.61 ft), another high tide at 3:40 PM (4.72 ft), and a final low tide at 10:50 PM (1.67 ft). Sunrise was at 6:31 AM, with sunset at 7:54 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the river. The weather is expected to be cool and partly cloudy, so dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Spring Chinook salmon fishing is currently the main draw, with the season recently extended. The best spots for targeting these coveted fish include the lower Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Beacon Rock, as well as bank fishing opportunities upriver towards Bonneville Dam. Chinook salmon are legendary for their taste and fight, and reports indicate scattered catches in this stretch of the river. Keep an eye on the deeper channels and near shorelines where fish may be holding.
For the best chance of success, try trolling with Simon 3.0 Cut Plugs or using 360 Flashers paired with bait like cut-plug herring. Anglers have also reported success with McOmie Hoochie Spinners and spinners like the Simon 3.5 Colorado for luring in Chinook. Remember to adjust your setup to the trolling speed and conditions to maximize the appeal of your lure.
Sturgeon fishing, though primarily catch-and-release at this time, remains productive in spots like the lower Willamette River. Anglers often catch sizable fish using nightcrawlers or with simple baits suspended near the bottom. For those interested in bass fishing, the Columbia’s smallmouth bass are becoming more active. Focus on flats and weed beds using crawdad imitations or shad-imitating swim baits.
Recent catches have shown varying success depending on location. From Portland to Warrior Rock, three Chinook were landed among bank anglers and boaters, while in the Rainier area, anglers had a mix of Chinook and steelhead action. For a more consistent bite, the Columbia River Gorge is another hotspot, combining scenic beauty with solid fishing opportunities.
If you’re planning to fish today, target Spring Chinook in the early morning hours and again towards dusk as fish activity tends to peak during these times. The Wind River area will soon be one of the top fisheries later this month, but for now, the Portland stretch and nearby lower Columbia River remain excellent.
Good luck out there, and tight lines!
The tides today at Longview are as follows: high tide at 3:18 AM (5.3 ft), low tide at 10:53 AM (1.61 ft), another high tide at 3:40 PM (4.72 ft), and a final low tide at 10:50 PM (1.67 ft). Sunrise was at 6:31 AM, with sunset at 7:54 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the river. The weather is expected to be cool and partly cloudy, so dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Spring Chinook salmon fishing is currently the main draw, with the season recently extended. The best spots for targeting these coveted fish include the lower Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Beacon Rock, as well as bank fishing opportunities upriver towards Bonneville Dam. Chinook salmon are legendary for their taste and fight, and reports indicate scattered catches in this stretch of the river. Keep an eye on the deeper channels and near shorelines where fish may be holding.
For the best chance of success, try trolling with Simon 3.0 Cut Plugs or using 360 Flashers paired with bait like cut-plug herring. Anglers have also reported success with McOmie Hoochie Spinners and spinners like the Simon 3.5 Colorado for luring in Chinook. Remember to adjust your setup to the trolling speed and conditions to maximize the appeal of your lure.
Sturgeon fishing, though primarily catch-and-release at this time, remains productive in spots like the lower Willamette River. Anglers often catch sizable fish using nightcrawlers or with simple baits suspended near the bottom. For those interested in bass fishing, the Columbia’s smallmouth bass are becoming more active. Focus on flats and weed beds using crawdad imitations or shad-imitating swim baits.
Recent catches have shown varying success depending on location. From Portland to Warrior Rock, three Chinook were landed among bank anglers and boaters, while in the Rainier area, anglers had a mix of Chinook and steelhead action. For a more consistent bite, the Columbia River Gorge is another hotspot, combining scenic beauty with solid fishing opportunities.
If you’re planning to fish today, target Spring Chinook in the early morning hours and again towards dusk as fish activity tends to peak during these times. The Wind River area will soon be one of the top fisheries later this month, but for now, the Portland stretch and nearby lower Columbia River remain excellent.
Good luck out there, and tight lines!
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By Quiet. PleaseThe Columbia River fishing scene is looking promising for anglers in Portland and the surrounding areas this Friday, April 11, 2025. Here’s what’s happening on the water today.
The tides today at Longview are as follows: high tide at 3:18 AM (5.3 ft), low tide at 10:53 AM (1.61 ft), another high tide at 3:40 PM (4.72 ft), and a final low tide at 10:50 PM (1.67 ft). Sunrise was at 6:31 AM, with sunset at 7:54 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the river. The weather is expected to be cool and partly cloudy, so dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Spring Chinook salmon fishing is currently the main draw, with the season recently extended. The best spots for targeting these coveted fish include the lower Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Beacon Rock, as well as bank fishing opportunities upriver towards Bonneville Dam. Chinook salmon are legendary for their taste and fight, and reports indicate scattered catches in this stretch of the river. Keep an eye on the deeper channels and near shorelines where fish may be holding.
For the best chance of success, try trolling with Simon 3.0 Cut Plugs or using 360 Flashers paired with bait like cut-plug herring. Anglers have also reported success with McOmie Hoochie Spinners and spinners like the Simon 3.5 Colorado for luring in Chinook. Remember to adjust your setup to the trolling speed and conditions to maximize the appeal of your lure.
Sturgeon fishing, though primarily catch-and-release at this time, remains productive in spots like the lower Willamette River. Anglers often catch sizable fish using nightcrawlers or with simple baits suspended near the bottom. For those interested in bass fishing, the Columbia’s smallmouth bass are becoming more active. Focus on flats and weed beds using crawdad imitations or shad-imitating swim baits.
Recent catches have shown varying success depending on location. From Portland to Warrior Rock, three Chinook were landed among bank anglers and boaters, while in the Rainier area, anglers had a mix of Chinook and steelhead action. For a more consistent bite, the Columbia River Gorge is another hotspot, combining scenic beauty with solid fishing opportunities.
If you’re planning to fish today, target Spring Chinook in the early morning hours and again towards dusk as fish activity tends to peak during these times. The Wind River area will soon be one of the top fisheries later this month, but for now, the Portland stretch and nearby lower Columbia River remain excellent.
Good luck out there, and tight lines!
The tides today at Longview are as follows: high tide at 3:18 AM (5.3 ft), low tide at 10:53 AM (1.61 ft), another high tide at 3:40 PM (4.72 ft), and a final low tide at 10:50 PM (1.67 ft). Sunrise was at 6:31 AM, with sunset at 7:54 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the river. The weather is expected to be cool and partly cloudy, so dress in layers to stay comfortable.
Spring Chinook salmon fishing is currently the main draw, with the season recently extended. The best spots for targeting these coveted fish include the lower Columbia River from Buoy 10 to Beacon Rock, as well as bank fishing opportunities upriver towards Bonneville Dam. Chinook salmon are legendary for their taste and fight, and reports indicate scattered catches in this stretch of the river. Keep an eye on the deeper channels and near shorelines where fish may be holding.
For the best chance of success, try trolling with Simon 3.0 Cut Plugs or using 360 Flashers paired with bait like cut-plug herring. Anglers have also reported success with McOmie Hoochie Spinners and spinners like the Simon 3.5 Colorado for luring in Chinook. Remember to adjust your setup to the trolling speed and conditions to maximize the appeal of your lure.
Sturgeon fishing, though primarily catch-and-release at this time, remains productive in spots like the lower Willamette River. Anglers often catch sizable fish using nightcrawlers or with simple baits suspended near the bottom. For those interested in bass fishing, the Columbia’s smallmouth bass are becoming more active. Focus on flats and weed beds using crawdad imitations or shad-imitating swim baits.
Recent catches have shown varying success depending on location. From Portland to Warrior Rock, three Chinook were landed among bank anglers and boaters, while in the Rainier area, anglers had a mix of Chinook and steelhead action. For a more consistent bite, the Columbia River Gorge is another hotspot, combining scenic beauty with solid fishing opportunities.
If you’re planning to fish today, target Spring Chinook in the early morning hours and again towards dusk as fish activity tends to peak during these times. The Wind River area will soon be one of the top fisheries later this month, but for now, the Portland stretch and nearby lower Columbia River remain excellent.
Good luck out there, and tight lines!