Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 23, 2025.

We're looking at a partly cloudy day with highs around 62°F and lows near 48°F. Sunrise is at 7:02 AM and sunset at 7:28 PM. The tides are running with a high at 10:15 AM and a low at 4:30 PM.

Spring Chinook season is kicking off, folks! We're seeing a few early arrivals, with the 2025 forecast at 122,500 fish. That's up from last year but still below the 10-year average. Water temp's sitting at a chilly 39°F, so the bite's still a bit slow, but it's only gonna get better from here.

Recent catches have been modest, with a handful of springers caught in the Davis Bar area near Vancouver and around St. Helens. The Willamette's also producing some catches near Multnomah Channel and Oregon City. For you bank anglers, there's been action from Warrior Rock to Rainier.

As for lures, you can't go wrong with herring close to the bottom. For artificials, try a Jackall Gavacho in gold gill or a SPRO Rock Crawler 55. If you're after some walleye action, swimbaits like the 3.8 Keitech Swing Impact in Tennessee shad have been hot.

Sturgeon fishing's been fire on the lower Willamette for catch-and-release. And don't forget, we've got two more smelt dipping days coming up on the Cowlitz.

For hot spots, I'd recommend trying around Davis Bar or the mouth of the Willamette. The Multnomah Channel's also been producing. Just watch out for those sea lions - they've been thick on the Columbia lately.

Remember, regulations require barbless hooks on the Columbia, but you can keep those barbs on the Willamette.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure, signing off. Tight lines and see you on the water!

Hey there anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 22, 2025. It's shaping up to be a decent day on the water, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s. Sunrise was at 7:14 AM and we'll have light until sunset at 7:32 PM.

Tide-wise, we're looking at a high tide of 7.04 feet at 5:46 AM, followed by a low of 1.41 feet at 1:23 PM. The next high tide will be 4.89 feet at 8:46 PM. This tidal swing should create some good current and get those fish moving.

Speaking of fish, the spring Chinook run is starting to pick up steam. Anglers have been reporting decent catches near the I-5 Bridge and around Warrior Rock. Most folks are averaging about a fish per boat, with some lucky anglers landing two or three. We're also seeing some nice-sized winter steelhead still hanging around, especially in the tributaries like the Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers.

For lures, you can't go wrong with a flasher and hoochie combo in chartreuse or pink. Kwikfish wrapped with a sardine fillet has also been producing well. If you're targeting steelhead, try drifting a pink worm or swinging a bright-colored spey fly.

Bait anglers are having success with sand shrimp or cured eggs. Remember to use a light leader, as these spring Chinook can be pretty finicky.

A couple of hot spots to check out: the Portland Harbor area has been consistently producing fish, especially around the wing dams. Also, don't overlook the stretch between Rainier and Longview - there have been some nice catches reported there lately.

Lastly, a reminder to keep an eye on those water levels. The recent rains have caused some fluctuations, so be sure to check the latest reports before heading out.

That's all for now, folks. Tight lines and good luck out there!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 21, 2025.

We're looking at a mixed bag of weather today, with partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid-50s. Sunrise was at 7:12 AM, and sunset will be at 7:24 PM, giving us plenty of daylight hours on the water. Tides are running about average, with low tide at 10:45 AM and high tide at 4:30 PM.

The spring Chinook run is starting to pick up steam, with decent catches reported near Buoy 10 and up towards the Willamette River confluence. Anglers are having success trolling herring or anchovies behind flashers, as well as using Simon Cut Plugs in chartreuse or silver/blue patterns.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been hot lately, especially around the rocky areas near Sauvie Island and the mouth of the Sandy River. Soft plastics like Yamamoto Senkos in green pumpkin or watermelon red have been producing well, as have small crankbaits like the Berkley Flicker Shad in shad or crawdad colors.

Walleye fishing has been steady, with good numbers being caught near the Portland Airport and downriver towards Kalama. Blade baits like the Silver Buddy or Cicada in 1/4 to 3/8 oz sizes have been the ticket, especially when jigged near the bottom in 20-40 feet of water.

For those looking to target some sturgeon, catch-and-release fishing has been productive near the I-5 Bridge and downstream towards Hayden Island. Fresh sand shrimp or pickled squid have been the go-to baits.

Hot spots to check out this week include the area around Multnomah Channel for spring Chinook, the rocky shorelines near Rooster Rock State Park for smallmouth, and the deep holes near Kalama for walleye.

Remember to check your regulations before heading out, and don't forget to pick up your Columbia River Basin Endorsement if you haven't already. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 19, 2025.

We're looking at a mixed bag today, folks. Tides are running high this morning, with the first high tide hitting around 4:43 AM at about 7.7 feet. We'll see a low tide of 0.8 feet around 10:24 AM, so plan your fishing accordingly. The sun's coming up at 7:15 AM and setting at 7:22 PM, giving us a decent chunk of daylight to work with.

Weather-wise, it's a typical Portland spring day - overcast with a chance of light rain. Temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s, so layer up and bring a rain jacket just in case.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! We're seeing a nice uptick in spring Chinook action, with several anglers reporting catches in the 15-20 pound range. Steelhead are still running strong, and a few lucky folks have even landed some early-season sturgeon.

For lures, I'm hearing great things about metallic blue and chartreuse spinners, especially in the 3.5 to 4-inch range. Kwikfish in the K15 and K16 sizes are also producing well, particularly in the brighter colors like flame chartreuse and metallic pink. If you're bait fishing, sand shrimp and cured eggs are your best bets right now.

Hot spots to check out include the waters around Sauvie Island, particularly near the Gilbert River mouth. The stretch between the I-5 and I-205 bridges has also been productive, especially on the incoming tide.

Remember, folks, the bite can be finicky this time of year, so patience is key. Keep your lines tight, and don't be afraid to switch up your presentation if you're not getting any action.

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure, signing off and wishing you tight lines and bent rods. See you on the water!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 17, 2025.

We're looking at a partly cloudy day with highs around 60°F and light winds - pretty decent fishing weather if you ask me. Sunrise was at 7:23 AM and sunset will be at 7:25 PM, giving us a solid 12 hours of daylight to work with.

Tide-wise, we've got a high tide of 8.3 feet at 3:08 AM, followed by a low of 0.8 feet at 9:54 AM. Another high tide of 7.0 feet rolls in at 3:52 PM, with a final low of 2.2 feet at 9:41 PM. That afternoon incoming tide should provide some good action.

Spring Chinook are starting to show up in decent numbers, with anglers reporting catches of 1-2 fish per boat on good days. A few early summer steelhead have been spotted too. The walleye bite has been pretty hot lately, with some nice 5-8 pounders being pulled in.

For salmon, herring has been the ticket - try trolling with a cut-plug herring or whole herring behind a flasher. Spinners in red, chartreuse, or pink have also been producing. Walleye anglers are having luck with jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or soft plastics in darker colors.

A couple hot spots to check out: the waters around Sauvie Island have been producing some nice spring Chinook, and the stretch between Longview and Kalama has been good for walleye.

Remember, the river's still running cold, so fish will be holding in deeper water. Focus on depths of 20-40 feet and keep your presentations slow.

That's all for now, folks. Tight lines and good luck out there!

Alright folks, here's your Columbia River fishing report for March 16, 2025.

We've got a high tide of 8.3 feet at 3:27 AM and a low of 0.7 feet at 9:42 AM. Another high tide of 7.4 feet rolls in at 3:54 PM, with a low of 1.5 feet at 9:36 PM. Sunrise is at 7:25 AM and sunset at 7:23 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Weather's looking decent today - partly cloudy with highs around 60°F and light winds. River temp is sitting at a chilly 45°F, so the fish are still a bit sluggish.

Spring Chinook are starting to show up, but it's still early. A few lucky anglers have landed some nice ones in the 15-20 pound range near the mouth of the Willamette. Steelhead fishing has been fair, with most action happening in the Gorge area.

For lures, try using a Simon Cut Plug in chartreuse or silver/blue. Spinners like the High Class 3.5 in red/white have also been producing. If you're bait fishing, sand shrimp or cured eggs are your best bet.

Walleye fishing has been picking up, especially near the John Day Dam. Jig and nightcrawler combos or blade baits like the Silver Buddy are working well.

For some hot spots, try fishing the wing dams near Sauvie Island for spring Chinook or hit up the Multnomah Channel for some steelhead action. The waters around Bonneville Dam have also been productive for both salmon and steelhead.

Remember, it's still early in the season, so patience is key. Tight lines, and good luck out there!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 15, 2025.

The tides are looking good today, with a high of 8.23 feet at 3:04 AM and a low of 0.95 feet at 9:07 AM. Sunrise is at 7:27 AM and sunset at 7:21 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s. Not too shabby for mid-March!

Now for the good stuff - the fish are biting, folks! Spring Chinook are starting to show up, though it's still early. We're seeing some decent catches near the mouth of the Willamette and around Sauvie Island. A few lucky anglers have landed some nice 15-20 pounders.

Winter steelhead action is still going strong, especially in the tributaries. The Cowlitz and Lewis rivers have been producing well. Don't forget about those feisty smallmouth bass either - they're getting more active as the water warms up.

For bait, you can't go wrong with cured salmon roe for the springers. Sandshrimp and nightcrawlers are working well for steelhead. If you're targeting bass, try some soft plastics or small crankbaits.

Hot spots to check out: the Portland Harbor area near the I-5 bridge has been producing some nice catches. Also, give Multnomah Channel a shot - heard some good reports from there lately.

Remember, the spring Chinook season is open through April 6 below Bonneville Dam. You're allowed one hatchery Chinook per day, so make it count!

That's all for now, folks. Tight lines and see you on the water!

Alright folks, it's Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 14, 2025. Let's dive right in.

Tide-wise, we've got a high tide of 7.63 feet at 1:35 AM and a low of 2.16 feet at 7:08 AM, with another high of 8.06 feet at 1:13 PM. The spring Chinook run is starting to pick up, and anglers are reporting some decent catches, especially around Warrior Rock and the Portland Harbor.

Weather's looking decent today, with partly cloudy skies and a high of 58°F. Sunrise is at 7:24 AM, and sunset's at 7:16 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Fish activity has been steadily increasing. We're seeing more spring Chinook moving up the river, with a few lucky anglers landing some nice 15 to 20-pounders. Steelhead action is still holding steady, and there's been a surprising uptick in walleye catches near the islands.

For you lure enthusiasts out there, Kwikfish in metallic blue or chartreuse have been producing well for Chinook. Don't forget your spinner game either - a #5 Mepps in fire tiger or copper has been turning some heads. If you're after those walleye, try a 3-inch curly tail grub in chartreuse on a 1/4-ounce jighead.

Bait fishermen, herring is still king for Chinook. Cured eggs are working well too, especially if you're targeting steelhead. For walleye, nightcrawlers on a bottom walker rig have been the ticket.

Hot spots to check out: The stretch between the I-5 Bridge and Warrior Rock has been consistently productive. Also, don't overlook the waters around Sauvie Island - there's been some good action on the upstream end.

Remember, folks, the bite can change quick, so stay flexible and don't be afraid to switch up your tactics. Tight lines, and I'll catch you on the next report!

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 12, 2025.

We're looking at a partly cloudy day with highs around 55°F and light winds. Sunrise is at 7:28 AM and sunset at 7:17 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines. Tide-wise, we've got a high tide of 7.63 feet at 1:35 AM and a low of 2.16 feet at 7:08 AM, with another high of 8.06 feet at 1:13 PM.

The spring Chinook run is starting to heat up, folks! Anglers have been having decent luck below Bonneville Dam, with some nice catches reported near Davis Bar and the Longview area. We're seeing a mix of Chinook and some early coho, with quite a few jacks in the mix too.

For you springer chasers, cured salmon eggs and sand shrimp are your go-to baits. If you're more of a lure slinger like myself, try trolling with Brad's Super Bait Cut Plugs or spinners in bright colors like chartreuse or hot pink. Don't forget to add some scent!

Walleye fishing has been picking up too, especially in the John Day Pool. Jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or soft plastics in motor oil or chartreuse have been producing well.

For you bass heads, the smallmouth bite is starting to wake up. Try working rocky points and drop-offs with jigs or drop-shot rigs. The Keitech FAT Swing Impact in smallmouth magic color is always a solid choice.

Hot spots to check out: The stretch from Warrior Rock to Rainier has been consistently productive for salmon. For walleye, try the area around the mouth of the Umatilla River. Bass anglers should give the Multnomah Channel a shot.

Remember, the season's just getting started, so stay patient and keep at it. Tight lines, everyone!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 11, 2025.

First off, let's talk tides. We've got a high tide at 11:30 AM hitting 7.43 feet, followed by a low tide at 6:07 PM dropping to -0.07 feet. Sunrise was at 7:36 AM, and we'll see sunset at 7:17 PM. Weather-wise, it's a typical Portland spring day - overcast with a chance of light rain, temps in the mid-50s.

Now, onto the good stuff. The spring Chinook run is starting to pick up, with some nice catches reported near the I-5 Bridge and around Hayden Island. A few early birds have been landing some beauties in the 15-20 pound range. Steelhead action is still decent, especially up near Bonneville Dam.

For you bass enthusiasts, smallmouth fishing has been heating up as the water warms. Folks have been having luck with soft plastics and crankbaits along the rocky shorelines near Sauvie Island and downriver towards St. Helens.

Bait-wise, cured salmon eggs and sand shrimp are your best bets for salmon and steelhead. For smallmouth, try nightcrawlers or soft plastic grubs in pumpkin or motor oil colors.

As for lures, I've been hearing good things about Brad's Super Bait Cut Plugs for the springers. Kwikfish wrapped with sardine fillets are also producing. For steelhead, don't forget your trusty spinners - blue and chrome have been hot lately.

Hot spots to check out: the Portland Harbor area near the Willamette confluence has been producing some nice catches. Also, try the deep holes around Warrior Rock if you're after those big springers.

Remember, folks, the bite can change day to day, so don't be afraid to switch it up if something's not working. Tight lines, and I'll catch you on the river!