Columbia River Portland Fishing Report Today

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things angling on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's early January 2nd, 2026, and the river's callin' with that crisp winter bite. Sunrise hits at 7:51 AM PST, sunset around 4:37 PM, givin' ya about 8.5 hours of daylight to chase 'em—Tide-Forecast.com nails those times for Vancouver on the Columbia.

Tides today? Low at 12:49 AM (0.71 ft), high at 4:58 AM (2.1 ft), keepin' currents movin' steady. Fish love that incoming push mid-mornin'. Weather's classic PNW winter: cloudy, chance of light showers, temps hoverin' 40s—bundle up, but no gale-force winds to spoil the fun.

Fish activity's pickin' up after holiday rains. Winter steelhead are tricklin' in strong, ahead of last year per The Guide's Forecast—wild runs trackin' hot on the Lower Willamette and Columbia tributaries. Anglers report plunkin' success post-high water, with steelhead numbers risin' at the ladders. Whitefish bitin' well too, and trout lakes stocked fresh. ODFW notes bottomfish regs kicked off Jan 1: 4-fish bag, 2 canary rockfish sub-limit, lingcod at 3-fish over 22 inches—year-round all-depths, but grab that new Ocean Endorsement*.

Best baits? Egg clusters, soft beads, or Corkies drifted bottom-style—steelhead can't resist. Lures? Spin-n-Glo's in pink or chartreuse, small spoons like Gibbs or Buzz Bombs for that slow troll. Live shrimp or herring chunks if yer boat-bound.

Hot spots: Hit Meldrum Bar on the Lower Willamette—past peak flows but steelhead holdin'. Or bank it at the Columbia Slough near Portland, eddies full of winter runners.

Get out there safe, check regs, and tight lines!

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's a crisp New Year's Eve mornin', with sunrise at 7:51 AM PST and sunset at 4:36 PM per Tide-Forecast.com for Vancouver waters. Tides today got a high of 3.00 AM at 1.96 ft, low 8:25 AM at 0.94 ft, high 2:52 PM at 3.64 ft, and low 11:58 PM at 0.83 ft—perfect for fish movin' in the outgoing flow 'round mid-mornin' and evenin'.

Weather's lookin' typical winter: chilly highs in the low 40s, partly cloudy with light winds from the east, but watch for those king tides buildin' tomorrow per Tillamook County Pioneer—stay safe out there, no turnin' your back on that current.

Fish activity's pickin' up post-storm. Locals report steady sturgeon hauls below Bonneville Dam, with a few keeper-size whites in the 4-5 foot range on sand shrimp or cut bait. Steelhead are showin' in the deeper holes near St. Helens, limits of 6-8 pounders hittin' yarn and roe combos. Walleye action's hot too—20-fish days from Portland boat ramps, mostly 2-4 pounders. Salmon season's windin' down, but stray chis are still grabbin' plugs.

Best lures? Go with jointed Kwikfish or M2 spinners in chartreuse for steelhead—troll slow on the drop. For sturgeon, Buzz Bombs tipped with smelt. Bait-wise, fresh roe or prawn tails rule for steelhead and walleye; smelt strips for sturgeon.

Hit these hot spots: Cathedral Ledge for bank sturgeon on the outgoing tide, or the Washougal River mouth for steelhead driftin' from a boat. Bundle up, fish smart!

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure comin' at ya with your Columbia River fishin' report from right here in Portland. It's Monday, December 29th, 8:30 AM, and we're lookin' at a crisp winter day—sunrise at 7:19 AM, sunset 5:43 PM, per Tide-Forecast.com. Low tide hits at 7:21 AM at 0.46 ft, high tide 10:32 PM at 0.95 ft, makin' for some solid current shifts later. Tides4fishing.com says fish activity's high today thanks to solunar peaks—major bites around dawn and dusk.

Steelhead action's still strong up and down the Columbia system, per The Guide's Forecast, though tributaries are tappin' off a bit after high water. Chinook are showin' in the estuary and pushin' upriver, with Buoy 10 limits consistent and some bright fall kings hittin' in the Portland reach. Metro anglers been headin' west to north coast streams, but mainstem trollers are gettin' keepers despite the "Dead Zone" rep—think 20-30 pounders on tuna-stuffed spinners.

Best lures right now? Mexican Hat Spinfish or Brad's Super Bait at 30-40 feet down. For bait, tuna belly or sardines in a herring wrap—works killer for steelhead and Chinook. Fish shallow early on the low tide, drop deeper as it floods.

Hot spots: Hit Davis Bar for upriver brights, or drift near Ridgefield pools where casino anglers struck gold last weekend. Water's recedin', so conditions are shapin' up—bundle up, check regs, that new salmon endorsement kicks in Jan 1.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's a chilly winter mornin' here on December 28th, with sunrise at 7:50 AM and sunset by 4:34 PM accordin' to tides.net for Portland on the Willamette. Weather's typical December—high water from recent rains keepin' things off-color and blown out, per The Guide's Forecast report from December 25th. No real fishin' goin' on right now; rivers are too high for most spots.

Tides today at Portland show low at 8:11 AM hittin' 1'11", high at 12:20 PM to 8'11", then low 9:41 PM at 2'0"—tides.net again. Downriver near Ilwaco and Baker Bay, it's low 12:35 AM 1.8 ft, high 7:02 AM 8.8 ft, low 2:05 PM 1.9 ft, high evenin'—642weather.com. Fish the changin' tides if you can get out, but high water's stiflin' metro action.

Fish activity? Slim pickin's. The Guide's Forecast says no fishin' at all on the Columbia—crabbin's windin' down too, and hatchery winter steelhead ain't here yet, still a few weeks off. Recent reports note steelhead strong system-wide earlier, but Portland reach is quiet, high water shut down coho and Chinook chasin'. No big catches reported lately; folks headin' to north coast streams instead.

If you hit the water anyway, go for winter steelhead prospects with yarn globes or small spinners like Mepps #3 in black or chartreuse—classic for murky flows. Best bait? Prawns or cured eggs if steelies show; live minnows for any perch or walleye hangin' shallow. Lures-wise, stick to slow-trolled Brad's Super Bait or Kwikfish for steelhead in slower pockets.

Hot spots if conditions drop: Try Davis Bar for trollyin', or the Klickitat mouth if you're drivin' east—Guide's Forecast mentions improvin' coho there. Stay safe, check regs—salmon endorsement kicks in Jan 1 per The Columbian.

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's December 27th, 2025, and we're kickin' off with sunrise at 7:18 AM and sunset at 5:42 PM per Tide-Forecast.com—short days, but the fish don't punch a clock.

Tides today are movin' steady: high at midnight 00:05 with 0.89 ft, low at 7:09 AM hittin' 0.75 ft, another high around 8:09 AM at 0.75 ft, low at 4:11 PM with 0.56 ft, and night high at 11:43 PM reachin' 0.85 ft, straight from Tide-Forecast.com and NOAA Tides & Currents. Fish the incomin' tide mid-mornin' when current picks up—that's when baitfish get pushed into eddies.

Weather's classic PNW winter: chilly highs in the low 40s, drizzly with light winds from the southwest, keepin' water temps around 45°F. Bundle up, layers and rain gear are your friends.

Fish activity's solid despite the cold—steelhead are pushin' up from the estuary, with fresh runs reported in the lower Columbia. Locals pulled limits of 6-10 lb hatchery steelhead last week near the mouth, plus a few chromers up to 12 lbs. Sturgeon are stackin' in deep holes, legal keepers in the 48-60 inch slot hittin' triple digits caught recently. Salmon are mostly done, but holdover coho show up now and then. Trout stockin' nearby in Willamette ponds like Walter Wirth Lake means rainbows are jumpin' close by, per Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife reports.

For lures, my top picks: bright pink or chartreuse Buzz Bombs or Corkies under a float for steelhead—they're tearin' it up in 8-12 feet. Spin-N-Glo yarn flies in shrimp pink or orange for the drift. Sturgeon love sardine-wrapped Kwikfish or big herring chunks on a stout setup. Live bait? Sand shrimp or cured roe sacs are killers—thread 'em on a Gamakatsu for that natural drift.

Hot spots: Hit the Washougal River mouth for steelhead crowds, or drop lines off Hayden Island for sturgeon in the shipping channel—boat or bank both work.

Get out there safe, check regs, and tight lines!

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Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Friday, December 26th, 8:30 AM, and we're kickin' off the day with crisp winter vibes—sunrise hit at 7:18 AM per Tide-Forecast.com, sunset's 5:41 PM, givin' us a short window of light. Tides today show high at 00:35 AM reachin' 0.92 feet, droppin' to low around 3:30 PM at 0.46 feet, so fish the outgoing for best current action, says Tide-Forecast.com.

Weather's mostly cloudy with a chance of rain later, Hammond Columbia River forecast from USHarbors calls for partly cloudy early turnin' mostly cloudy, winds light but watch for gusts after recent high wind advisories from National Weather Service via FlashAlertPortland.

Fish activity's solid in this cold snap—winter steelhead are pushin' up from the estuary, with reports of fresh bright hens and jacks hittin' limits last week near the I-5 bridge. Sturgeon are holed up in deeper holes, legal keepers showin' sporadic, and a few late coho stragglers for the lucky. Local angler chatter says 5-10 steelhead per rod on good days, plus perch and walleye stackin' up for bottom bouncers.

Best lures? Spin-N-Glo's in pink or chartreuse with yarn, or blue-backed Kwikfish for swingin' drifts—deadly on steelies right now. Bait-wise, fresh prawn or cured eggs threaded single or in a cluster, fish 'em slow off the bottom. Jigs with maggots or shrimp for perch.

Hit these hot spots: Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge for easy access and steady steelhead, or Kelly Point Park where the Willamette meets the Columbia—prime for sturgeon soakers and winter chromers.

Bundle up, check regs, and stay safe out there.

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Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for all things angling on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Christmas Eve mornin', and we're lookin' at a solid day to wet a line despite the winter chill. Sunrise hits at 7:17 AM, sunset at 5:40 PM per Tide-Forecast.com, givin' us about 10 hours of light—perfect for targetin' those holdover fish.

Tides are playin' nice today: high at 2:17 AM reachin' 1.02 feet, droppin' to low around 2:21 PM at 0.3 feet, then buildin' back up, says Tide-Forecast.com for Portland. Fish the outgoing tide mid-mornin' when bait gets flushed—currents near the Morrison Street Bridge are prime, with tides there mirrorin' at about 1.96 feet high.

Weather's typical December: overcast, highs in the low 40s, light winds from the southwest—bundle up, but no blowin' gale to kill the bite. Fish activity's steady on salmon and steelhead smolts pushin' through, though returns are hoverin' at 2.3 million adults over the last decade, up from the '90s lows, accordin' to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Sturgeon are active too, with whites hangin' in deeper holes; recent reports show decent catches of 4-6 footers. Walleye and bass are predatin' heavy, so expect incidental hookups, but steelhead are the stars—folks pullin' a few bright ones last week near the mouths.

For lures, stick to **glow spoons** like Gibbs or Coyote in chartreuse for steelhead in low light, or **jigs with marabou** tipped with shrimp scent. Best bait? Sand shrimp or cured roe sacs—irresistible this time of year. Troll slow at 1.5 mph in 20-40 feet.

Hot spots: Hit the **Multnomah Channel** near Sauvie Island for sturgeon—easy access, less current. Or drop lines at **Tongue Point** for mixed bag action, where tides swing hard.

Stay safe out there, watch for logs, and merry fishin'!

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Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River Portland fishing report for this crisp winter morning. We're lookin' at sunrise at 7:48 AM and sunset 'round 4:30 PM, givin' ya about 8.5 hours of light—perfect for a quick shore run before the chill sets in deep.

Tides today per Tide-Forecast.com: Low at 3:16 AM hittin' 0.75 ft near Vancouver stretches, high tide pushin' 2.14 ft by 8:03 AM, then low 1.24 ft at 2:06 PM, and evenin' high of 3.2 ft at 7:03 PM. Fish the incomin' tides hard, especially that afternoon rise when current stirs the bottom—currents'll be movin' strong near the bar with a Small Craft Advisory till 7 AM and Gale Warning after, per National Weather Service.

Weather's classic Pacific Northwest December: cloudy with scattered showers, temps hoverin' low 40s daytime, wind pickin' up to 15-20 knots from the west. Bundle up, watch for gusts out there.

Fish activity's pickin' up in the late fall pattern—steelhead showin' strong below Bonneville Dam, with walleye and sturgeon mixed in from recent reports on Spreaker's Columbia River updates. Anglers pulled limits of shad-sized herring last week, plus a few keeper sturgeon overslot 48-60 inches and resident trout hittin' jigs. Numbers are decent: 10-20 fish days for dedicated bank pounders, focusin' on perch and smallmouth too in the shallows.

Best lures? Go with **Buzz Bomb spoons** or **Worden's Rooster Tail spinners** in chartreuse or pink for steelhead—slow troll or cast 'em deep. For walleye, **Keitech Swing Impact swimbaits** on 3/8 oz jigheads shine. Bait-wise, fresh herring chunks or nightcrawlers threaded tight rule the day; cut anchovies if you're sturgeon huntin'.

Hot spots: Hit the **Vancouver Waterfront** for easy access walleye, or **Cathlamet Channel** bends for steelhead swingin' flies. Launch early if boatin', stay safe on the water.

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Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for Columbia River angling around Portland. It's Sunday morning, December 21st, and winter's grip is on tight. Sunrise hit at 7:16 AM, sunset's 5:39 PM per Tide-Forecast.com, so you've got a short window before dark.

Tides today at Vancouver on the Columbia show low at 2:42 AM (0.77 ft), high around 7:30 AM (2.15 ft), keeping things moving but not extreme. Portland tides mirror that with high at 1:23 AM (1.12 ft CST adjusted) and low at 12:50 PM (0.2 ft). Fish the outgoing for best bites.

Weather's dicey—National Weather Service has a Small Craft Advisory through afternoon at the Columbia River Bar, with SW winds 15-20 knots, seas 9-10 ft, and showers likely. Bundle up, watch for debris like they canceled the Christmas Ships for.

Fishing's slow this shoulder season. The Guide's Forecast says Columbia's closed to Chinook, coho numbers down in the lower Willamette, metro rivers on hold from recent rains and flooding. Steelhead might lurk in tributaries if they clear, but freshwater's impacting crabbing too—ODFW opens north coast commercial Dungeness Dec 31, pots presoak from 28th. Recent reports: modest coho at Buoy 10 and Klickitat mouth, but Portland stretch is quiet. Anglers pulling a few steelhead and chum near Vancouver; sturgeon holding in deep holes.

For lures, go subtle—small spinners or jigs in pink or chartreuse for steelhead, spoons for any rogue coho. Live bait? Sand shrimp or nightcrawlers on the bottom. Crabbers, hold tight for season start.

Hot spots: Try below Bonneville Dam for sturgeon if you're bank-bound, or drift the Vancouver waterfront on the outgoing tide. Stay safe out there.

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Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Columbia River, Portland fishing report.

We’ve got a classic winter river morning: low gray ceiling, cool mid‑40s air, light south breeze, and scattered showers rolling through according to the National Weather Service marine outlook. That damp chill is actually helping the bite; fish are holding tight but willing if you slow things down.

Tides up here are mild but still matter. Tide-Forecast’s Vancouver/Columbia River data shows a **low around 2:00 a.m.** and a **high around 6:50–7:00 a.m.**, then easing back late morning. That first push of incoming through early high tide is your best window for moving fish. After that, expect a softer, scratchier bite until late afternoon.

Sunrise is right about **7:15 a.m.** and sunset near **5:35–5:40 p.m.**, so your prime light is that first couple hours after daybreak and the last hour before dark.

Fish activity:

Local shop chatter and yesterday’s Columbia report say the focus is **winter steelhead**, **catch‑and‑release sturgeon**, and a few **late coho/early springer‑style holdovers** closer to Bonneville. Steelhead numbers aren’t crazy, but a steady trickle of bright hatchery fish has been coming from the Portland–Vancouver stretch, mostly ones and twos per boat for folks who grind. Sturgeon anglers working deeper ledges have reported decent action on shakers with an occasional slot fish when conditions line up.

**Best lures and baits right now:**

- For steelhead:

- 3.0–3.5 **Mag Lips** in metallic greens, oranges, and cop car patterns on the anchor.

- 1/8–1/4 oz **jigs** in pink/white or black/blue under a float with sand shrimp tails or coon‑stripe if you can get them.

- Small **Beau Mac or Spin‑N‑Glo** setups with cured eggs back‑trolled tight to the breaks.

- For sturgeon:

- **Sand shrimp**, **smelt**, and **squid** cocktails are the go‑tos.

- Fresh bait changes every 20–30 minutes are making the difference; the river’s cold and scent is king.

Couple of local hot spots to consider:

- **Gobblers Knob / Frenchman’s Bar stretch (Vancouver side):**

Work 30–50 feet for sturgeon on the ledges; steelhead guys side‑drifting soft seams along the Washington bank have been quietly putting some fish in the boat.

- **Sauvie Island down to the I‑5 Bridge:**

Troll plugs or side‑drift the softer inside bends for steelhead; anchor up on the deeper edges and soak bait for sturgeon. Those subtle current breaks are producing more than the obvious main‑channel holes.

Tactics for today: fish that early high tide push hard, slow your presentations, and don’t be afraid to downsize—clearer winter flows and pressured fish are responding better to small, natural profiles than big, flashy gear.

That’s it from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report.

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