Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing in and around the Columbia River, particularly in the Portland area. As of today, January 30, 2025, here’s what you need to know to make your fishing trip a success.

First off, let's talk about the tides. According to the tide charts, today we have a high tide at 2:36 PM with a height of 2.35 meters (7.72 feet), and a low tide at 9:27 AM with a height of 0.5 meters (1.64 feet)[2].

The weather is quite chilly, typical for this time of year, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit. Make sure to bundle up and keep that heater on if you're out on the water.

Recently, the fishing has been quite active, especially for walleye. In the Rufus and Boardman areas, anglers have been catching healthy numbers of walleye by trolling in likely holding areas and then switching to jigging once they locate a productive school[1].

For sturgeon, the season in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools was brief, opening on January 1 but closing after just one day due to high catch rates. However, catch-and-release trips are still available, and these can be quite action-packed. If you're after sturgeon, whole shad is one of the best baits to use, especially below the Bonneville and The Dalles dams[1][3].

Salmon fishing has also been good, particularly in the Hood River area. Chinook and coho salmon are still present, with coho being caught farther downriver in the Scappoose area. For salmon, cured roe, herring, anchovies, and sardines are top choices. If you're trolling, spinners and back-trolling plugs, especially those that mimic cut-plug herring, are highly effective[1][3][4].

For steelhead, which are active during the winter and early spring, roe or eggs cured with sugar and krill are ideal. Adding these to lures and plugs can increase the time the fish hold the bait in their mouths. Beads that mimic salmon eggs are also a very effective alternative[3].

Now, let's talk about some hot spots. The Hood River area has been producing good results for salmon, and the Rufus and Boardman areas are your best bets for walleye. If you're looking to catch sturgeon, the areas below the Bonneville and The Dalles dams are your best options, though remember that currently, it's catch-and-release only in those pools[1].

In terms of lures, the Simon 3.0 Cut Plug and the Simon 3.5 Colorado Spinners are trusted choices among local guides for salmon. For sturgeon, stick with fresh baits like anchovies, herring, smelt, sand shrimp, and whole shad. For steelhead, those beads with a scent like garlic, anise, or shrimp can be very effective[3][4].

Sunrise today is at 7:38 AM, and sunset is at 5:16 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out on the water and catch some fish.

So, gear up, stay warm, and get ready for a great day of fishing on the Columbia River. Whether you're after walleye, sturgeon, or salmon, the right baits and lures will make all the difference. Tight lines