Columbia River Portland Fishing Report Today

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you on this beautiful Friday, October 10th, 2025.

Let's talk about what's happening on our beloved Columbia River right here in the Portland area. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife just dropped their latest report, and I've got the scoop on where the fish are biting.

The action around Portland has been heating up, folks. Recent weekly checks from the Troutdale area showed anglers bringing in 41 coho and 2 jack coho, with another 32 Chinook, 8 jack Chinook, and 9 coho released. That's coming from 61 boats with 123 anglers, so the bite is definitely on. Down in the Portland to Warrior Rock stretch, it's been a bit slower with just one coho kept and a couple Chinook released, but don't let that discourage you.

Between Warrior Rock and Rainier, things picked up with 19 coho landed and plenty of fish released. The real hot spot though? Buoy 10 is absolutely firing off, with 125 coho kept just this past week from 92 boats. That's some serious action.

Now let's talk tackle. For these coho and fall Chinook, you want to be running spinners in chartreuse and pink, or go with blue and silver. Herring is your go-to bait, either whole or cut plug. Don't sleep on those big Colorado blades with some shrimp either. For gear, I'm talking 15 to 20 pound test, and you'll want to be trolling or back-bouncing depending on where you're fishing.

Water conditions are key right now. We've had some rain come through, which is pushing fresh fish up from the estuary. The Columbia's flowing nice, and with the cooler fall temperatures, these salmon are active and aggressive.

A couple of hot spots I'd recommend: hit the mouth of the Willamette where it dumps into the Columbia, especially early morning. The seam where that current meets the main river is holding fish. Also, don't overlook the channel markers between Sauvie Island and the Washington shore. Work those deep slots.

Remember folks, there are some retention closures in effect, so check your regulations. Sturgeon retention is closed throughout the system right now, strictly catch and release on those dinosaurs.

The fall run is in full swing, and with more rain in the forecast, expect the bite to stay strong through the weekend. Get out there, enjoy this beautiful Pacific Northwest weather, and tight lines to you all.

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Alright tight lines, this is Artificial Lure coming at you from the banks of the mighty Columbia, right here in Portland. It’s Wednesday, October 8th, and I’ve got the full scoop on what’s happening under—and above—our local waters. Let’s get into it.

First off, let’s talk tides, because if you don’t plan around them, you might as well be fishing in your bathtub. According to the latest data, if you’re at the Columbia River entrance, the tide is falling right now after a fat high tide that peaked last night around 10:13 p.m. Next low tide is at 3:54 p.m., so this morning is prime time as she drops. Downriver, up by Vancouver, tide predictions show swings around 2.75 feet, so be ready for some change-up water and fish movement—especially if you’re targeting salmon or sturgeon, which like to ride those tidal pulses. Sunrise today is 5:45 a.m., sunset at 9:01 p.m., so pack a headlamp if you’re chasing twilight bites, and don’t forget your rain jacket—fall mornings are brisk.

Now, let’s talk weather. It’s classic PNW autumn out there, folks. Cool mornings, a chance of a mist or two, but mostly dry and crisp—perfect fishing weather. Just keep in mind, the National Weather Service reports that each day at low tide, water’s running skinny, so watch those rocky shoals and sandbars, especially if you’re in a boat or wading. Safety first—always.

Fish, you ask? The Columbia’s holding strong. Salmon, both chinook and coho, are moving through for their fall run—guides and locals alike are reporting solid catches, especially on the outgoing tide and just after sunrise. The bite’s been best from first light to mid-morning, but don’t sleep on the evening drift—sometimes those big girls like to play hard right before dark. Sturgeon action’s holding steady, too, with a few slot fish and some oversized monsters hauled in—mostly on mellow rips and deep holes. And don’t forget about bass—large and smallmouth are still on the chew, particularly around the rocky points and behind islands where the current slows down.

For bait, fresh is best. For salmon, cured eggs, herring strips, and sand shrimp are crushing it—these fish are dialed in to the fat and salt from the ocean, so give them what they want. Sturgeon anglers are doing well with squid, smelt, and herring—just make sure you’re legal with your bait and check the regs. Bass? Bring your plastics—green pumpkin and brown crawdad worms, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all working, especially when fished slow along the bottom.

Lures? Spoons, spinners, and Wiggle Warts for salmon, especially the bright chrome jobs when the morning sun hits the water. Big, flashy stuff works when the fish are aggressive, but don’t be afraid to switch to a more natural presentation as the morning wears on. For bass, crankbaits and topwater frogs—think early and late when the water’s calm. For sturgeon, a big ol’ gob of bait on a circle hook—set the hook slow, let them do the work.

Hot spots, you ask? Multnomah Channel is a sleeper—s

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This is Artificial Lure, your guide to today’s bite on the mighty Columbia River in and around Portland. October has finally rolled in, and with it, some cooler weather and crisp air that’s getting both anglers and fish fired up.

Let’s kick off with the **tides and sunlight**: Sunrise hit at 7:20 a.m. this morning, and sunset will settle in at 6:47 p.m. Over on the Columbia entrance, expect a negative low tide right around dawn, -0.12 ft at 5:37 a.m., with the high hitting closer to midday, topping out at 7.16 ft at 12:09 p.m. Your best window for in-river action will bracket that incoming tide—a key time to get your lines in the water according to the latest tide forecasts from tide-forecast.com.

**Weather-wise**, the National Weather Service calls for a light north wind early (5–10 knots), picking up mildly into the afternoon. Seas near coastal access are moderate, 4 to 6 feet with a light chance of scattered showers in the area. Nothing wild—perfect for getting on the river, as long as you’re prepared for damp patches and keep an eye on afternoon gusts.

Now, let’s talk **fish activity and what’s hot on the river**. The Guide’s Forecast reports that there’s real excitement for both hatchery coho and fall Chinook. The fall run is in full swing, especially up from St. Helens to Bonneville, where the Chinook finally turned on, gobbling up cooler water temps. While Chinook retention is off-limits below Warrior Rock, the hatchery coho fishery has reopened with promising near-limit catches for those trolling correctly. Mainstem anglers working upstream of Warrior Rock are getting into thick schools, working tidal changes, and covering water.

Anglers are reporting **solid catches** of both species right now. Buzz Ramsey and the Addicted Fishing crew recently highlighted how aggressive the fall Chinook have become, with anglers boxing impressive numbers on Kwikfish plugs wrapped in sardine, cured roe behind divers, or bright chartreuse and pink spinners for coho—shallow running when the light is low, or deeper as that sun climbs. Brad’s Super Baits (stuffed with tuna) or classic Mepps and Blue Fox Vibrax for coho are turning fish all through the metro stretch into the gorge.

**Best baits and lures** for today:

- For Chinook: Kwikfish K15 or K16 with sardine wraps, Pro-Troll flashers with cut herring, and prawn spinners.

- For coho: Chartreuse or pink spinners, Brad’s Super Baits (tuna-filled), Blue Fox Vibrax, and Mag Lips in “lemon lime” or “bloody nose.”

If you’re headed out, my top **hot spots** for this tidal and weather setup:

- **Sauvie Island/Warrior Rock:** On the incoming tide, troll slowly with cured eggs, working both deeper channels and the shallower flats as Chinook push in.

- **Near the mouth of the Willamette:** Coho are surging here—target them with bright hardware early, then switch to bait rigs by mid-morning.

- **Bonneville Pool:** When that tide floods, fish stack up behind islands and in the current seams, making them prime t

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This is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for October 4th, 2025. Today, the weather’s classic Portland fall: cloudy, passing showers expected on and off, with northwest winds building up to 10 knots by afternoon. Air temps will ride in the mid-50s to low 60s, perfect for a jacket and a thermos of hot coffee on the bank. According to the National Weather Service, we’ve got seas subsiding a bit this morning, generally 4 to 6 feet, so boaters on the main river channel should still use caution and watch those forecasts.

The Columbia saw high tide early at about 7:05 AM this morning and low water slumping around 10:07 AM, so fishers working the tide swings will want to line up accordingly. Best fishing windows should run a couple hours after that AM high tide and then again on the afternoon slack as we approach the 2:59 PM high. Sunrise was right around 7:23 AM, with sunset coming quick at 7:11 PM, so bring a headlamp if you plan to fish out the evening bite. Tide info comes straight from Tide-Forecast.

Fishing’s been steady. Fall Chinook are still trickling in, though the main surge has passed. There are some big ones being hauled in, especially around the mouth of the Willamette and up near Sauvie Island. Early coho are active—bright fish caught off the beaches and back channels this week. Most folks swinging spinners in chartreuse and silver or blue tipped Wiggle Warts are finding coho, especially when they dial their speed with the current. According to the Columbia River, Portland Daily Fishing Report, walleye are chomping hard in the Bonneville stretch and near the I-205 Bridge. Jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or plastics in firetiger or watermelon have been the top producers there.

As for sturgeon, retention stays closed, but catch-and-release has been productive near the confluence with the Willamette. Pilings and deeper holes are holding numbers, especially with a chunk of shad or squid on the bottom.

Bait talk: For salmon, plug cut herring and anchovy are both pulling fish, but don’t overlook Super Baits or Mag Lips in metallic colors, especially on those overcast afternoons. For walleye, stick to nightcrawlers trolled slow or blade baits bounced along channel edges. Bank anglers doing best have been using cured salmon eggs under a float or tossing spoons at first light.

For hot spots, check out Kelly Point Park—salmon and coho moving tight to shore with the tides, and an easy walk for shore anglers. Up river, Caterpillar Island flats are loaded with walleye right now after this week's soft rain bumped flows a bit. And don’t sleep on the old railroad bridge pilings just east of the I-5 bridge—known to hold a mixed bag this time of year, plus decent sturgeon action on the edge.

That wraps today’s report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for October 3rd, 2025, straight out of Portland—let’s jump right in.

Sunrise hit at 7:23 this morning, with sunset coming up at 7:12 tonight. We’re looking at a modest high tide rolling through at 7:19 AM, sitting right around 0.95 feet, and expect a low tide later tonight at 10:17 PM at 0.36 feet, based on Tide-Forecast’s prediction. If you’re looking to get an early start, that incoming tide first thing is always worth targeting, drawing Chinook and coho up into those shoreline eddies and channel drops.

The weather’s stayed classic fall—chilly at first light, warming a bit midday, but the big story is the water: temps are finally dipping, putting Chinook in the mood for what Metro area regulars call “solid takedowns.” According to The Guide’s Forecast, the Columbia from St. Helens all the way to Bonneville is stacked with fresh fall Chinook, and right now we’re in the high gear of the run. Bonus: there’s an early push of coho tearing upstream, especially on the heels of last week’s rain.

Latest harvest numbers from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife show strong catches upstream of Rainier, but the real hotspot action is up from Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam. Just last week, ODFW’s survey counted 185 Chinook and 26 jacks kept, plus another 6 coho, all from boats working the Bonneville Pool. The Dalles Pool is alive, too, with 203 Chinook and 27 jacks landed. Bank anglers are a bit slower—boat’s your best bet right now.

Targeting Chinook? Most of the regulars are pulling Pro-Troll flashers with chartreuse and silver spinners or running cut-plug herring behind 360 flashers when the water’s calmer. For coho, go smaller: Brad’s Wigglers in metallic finishes and small pink spinners have both been producing, especially as the water clears up. First-light bite has been classic, but the outgoing tide around noon can set up a second window if traffic’s light.

Walleye folks, John Day Pool has been the star, with 61 walleye kept last week and 27 released for just 10 boats—blade baits in gold and perch were the top producers according to local tackle shops. The Dalles Pool also coughed up a few, but not nearly the same numbers.

Sturgeon is mostly catch and release territory below Bonneville; retention is closed, but it’s still worth soaking a smelt or sand shrimp if you want to tussle with a big one before sunset.

For bankies, hot spots right now are the beaches near Rooster Rock State Park for early morning Chinook and the boat launch at Chinook Landing for mixed coho and walleye action. If you’re floating, target the stretch from Warrior Rock upstream to Dalton Point—depth changes and current seams are stacking kings even as we move into October.

Final tips: keep your tackle bright and your bait fresh. Chartreuse and silver blades for Chinook, pink or orange for coho, and nightcrawlers or worm harnesses for those bottom-hugging walleye. Watch the tide, beat t

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Columbia River and Portland area fishing report for October 1st, 2025. We’re standing at the doorstep of fall, and although the rain clouds rolled in heavy overnight, anglers across the region remain undeterred. Here’s your deep-dive on conditions, catches, and where the bite is hot.

Weather has been a major factor. Widespread gales swept the Columbia overnight according to the National Weather Service, with sustained south winds up to 30 knots and seas peaking at fifteen feet—yep, not the best for small craft, but the winds should ease heading into the weekend. Expect lingering showers today and a cool, cloudy start with temps in the mid to upper 50s. Waterproof gear is your best friend.

Tidal movements absolutely matter on the lower river. For the Portland stretch, high tide rolled in at 7:09AM and low tide sinks at 8:18PM. With sunrise at 7:22AM and sunset at 7:15PM, those fishing the main stem, especially just east and west of the city, will see peak fish activity during the early morning flood tide—a prime window to get lines in the water.

Let’s talk fish. Fall Chinook are still coming through in decent numbers, though the tail end of the run is near. Most recent reports have local anglers boating five to fifteen fish per outing on the bigger holes, with many in the low teens for pounds. Coho have ramped up, especially near the mouth and up to St. Helens, with chrome-bright fish pushing upstream and some days yielding ten or more coho per boat—not bad for this late season. Steelhead catches are lower but possible in the Willamette and Sandy tributaries for those running spinners beneath riffled water.

Walleye are active around Bonneville and Rooster Rock, especially close to sunrise, with three to ten decent fish per trip. Smallmouth bass and Northern pikeminnow remain consistent and can be caught around the rocky points just downstream from Vancouver’s I-5 Bridge, with soft plastics and drop-shot rigs.

On the bait side, herring is the ticket for those chasing salmon, especially plug-cut and trolled on a diver or behind a flasher. Chartreuse and green spinner blades play well in the lower tides. For coho, mag lips and blue or pink Brad's Super Bait are getting it done, especially at tidewater near the town of Rainier.

For walleye, try nightcrawlers on slow-trolled worm harnesses or small lipless crankbaits that mimic shad fry. Smallmouth are attacking tubes and curly tail grubs in darker colors.

Razor clamming officially reopened today on Clatsop beaches, and ODFW shellfish biologists report a strong crop of young clams—about 1.5 clams per square meter. Most are undersized, so diggers should aim for nickel-sized shows for a better shot at the big ones. Remember, only keep your first fifteen, regardless of size.

Hot spots today include Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge for coho, especially during the morning tide push. The east end of Sauvie Island near Warrior Point is producing solid C

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Artificial Lure here with your September 28, 2025 Columbia River fishing report for the Portland region. We’re kicking off this fall Sunday with sunrise at 7:20am and sunset at 7:18pm, giving you a full day of cool, comfortable fishing weather. Expect partly cloudy skies, a light morning chill around 50°, and afternoon highs nipping at the upper 60s. The water’s cooling, and with the barometer dipping, anglers are finding a bit more cooperative fish both near town and out towards the edges.

Tides this morning see a high right at 6:21am, dropping to a low at 5:12pm according to Tide-Forecast.com, setting up prime moving water at first light—a proven trigger for salmon and bass alike across the main channels and sloughs. At the river’s mouth and near St. Helens, there’s still brisk push on the outgoing.

Here’s what’s biting: Due to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife closures on mainstem Columbia salmon through October 1, anglers are focusing on tributaries or heading west to tidewater. Word from last week is the Chinook bite has been red-hot downriver near Warrior Rock and St. Helens, with big fall kings pushing hard upriver. Buzz Ramsey and the Addicted Fishing crew report chartreuse spinners and cut plug herring are the ticket for fall Chinook—stick to these if you’re finding open water or headed out near the estuary.

Coho counts remain well below average for this date in both the Willamette and Columbia, but there’s a rumored early surge of fat silvers moving on this week’s tides, particularly at lower tidewater marks. If you’re able to chase coho, go with bright pink or orange spinners, or small Brad’s Cut Plugs behind a short leader. Drano Lake is still producing good coho and Chinook catches if you feel like a drive east.

With the chinook closure, urban anglers are switching gears. Bass and walleye action has picked up on the main river edges and inside channels around Portland, notably Multnomah Channel and the mouth of the Willamette by Sauvie Island. Nightcrawlers, tube jigs, and perch-pattern crankbaits fished along rocky points or drop-offs have yielded steady bites—low, clear water means it pays to downsize and fish slow. Northern pikeminnow fishing is still active; Hoodline notes the bounty season has been extended through October 12 on select Columbia stretches—worth a go if you’re looking for numbers and a little bonus cash.

Trout fishing is humming at local reservoirs like Foster and in central Oregon lakes—Foster was just stocked and water temps now favor trout activity. If you head out, double-check current ODFW rules since some coho closures are in place in smaller tribs like Eagle Creek through Halloween.

A couple of hot spots today: the mouth of the Willamette near Sauvie Island (for bass, stray salmon, and the chance at chunky walleye) and Multnomah Channel for steady bass and perch action. When salmon opens, keep an eye on Warrior Rock down to St. Helens—that stretch will fire with migrating kings on the move.

Best

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Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for Portland, Saturday September 27, 2025.

It’s a crisp, early fall morning along the Columbia, with sunrise at 7:20am and sunset at 7:19pm. Tides today in Portland show a high at 5:59am—just before first light—and a low at 4:17pm. Over at the Columbia River entrance, expect a high tide at 5:04am and again around 3:52pm, with the lowest at 10:50pm. This sets up perfect water movement for morning bites, especially near the river’s mouth and downstream stretches.

Weather’s cooperating, with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and temps hovering in the low 50s at dawn, warming into the upper 60s by afternoon. Water temps have dropped just enough to get those big Chinook motivated, and the dropping barometric pressure always seems to spark more action.

Due to current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, much of the Columbia mainstem near Portland is closed to salmon fishing till October 1. Most folks are targeting tribs or heading west to tidewater. Recent action on the Chinook front has been intense near St. Helens downriver, with fall kings pushing upriver hard. Buzz Ramsey and the Addicted Fishing crew reported blistering Chinook bites last week using chartreuse spinners and cut plug herring—classic choices during fall migration.

For coho, numbers remain well below last year in the Willamette and Columbia systems, but an early push of fat silvers is moving on the tides, especially at lower river spots. Drano Lake is still pumping out consistent coho and Chinook limits if you’re up for the drive. Kokanee anglers are finding better numbers in Yale Lake than Merwin. Meanwhile, Merwin and Yale Lakes are great options for steady kokanee and trout action.

With most salmon fishing closed upriver, targeting warmwater species like walleye and bass inside the Portland metro stretch has been productive. Nightcrawlers, tube jigs, and perch-pattern crankbaits are all getting bites on the channel edges and rocky points. The ongoing low, clear flows are ideal for finesse presentations. Lingcod are still being picked at the river mouth, mostly with white swimbaits and cut bait near structure.

Trout remain active, with Foster Res just recently stocked and central Oregon lakes showing strong fall patterns. Do check current ODFW regulations for up-to-date openings – closures to protect threatened coho salmon, like in Eagle Creek on the Clackamas, are now in effect until Halloween. If you see illegal snagging or want to report wildlife crime, that TIP line is active and appreciated by locals.

Hot spots:

– The mouth of the Willamette, especially around Sauvie Island, for bass and the stray Chinook holding over.

– Warrior Rock down to St. Helens, when it reopens, should be loaded with migrating kings.

– Multnomah Channel for consistent bass and perch bites.

Best lures:

– For fall Chinook: Chartreuse spinners, cut plug herring, and maglip plugs in finfish and chrome patterns.

– For coho:

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Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for Portland and surrounds, Friday, September 26th, 2025. It’s prime fall fishing, and here’s what’s happening riverside.

Sunrise came at 7:19 AM and sunset will be right around 7:20 PM. The tide for Portland shows a high at 5:42 AM and a low at 3:28 PM, so plan those riverbank sessions to hit the transitions, especially close to the high tide—the bite always perks up with the movement.

The early fall weather is classic Pacific NW: mornings cool, afternoons mild, with cloud cover likely and light winds. Layer up, and keep that rain shell handy—Columbia fog can move in quick this time of year.

Fish are on the move. ODFW’s latest reports show boats finding steady action from Bonneville Pool all the way up to John Day Pool. This last week, Bonneville Pool saw 185 **Chinook**, 26 **jack Chinook**, and six **coho** kept, with even more released by 99 boats (285 anglers). Dalles Pool was hot—203 Chinook and six coho kept, plus steelhead starting to show. John Day Pool was quieter for salmon, but walleye fishing up there is excellent—over 60 walleye kept and 27 released by just 10 boats.

Around Rainier and Puget Island, things were slower for boats and bank anglers, with only a handful of Chinook and coho landed. Down at Buoy 10 and Tongue Point, stats show a lull, but don’t let that fool you—tides will turn, and fish are stacking up mid-river.

The Columbia remains closed to sturgeon retention all the way up, but catch-and-release for legal-sized sturgeon continues below Bonneville, with 18 fish released by five anglers last week.

For tackle: Chinook and coho are biting best on **spinner rigs**, 360 flashers paired with natural bait (herring or anchovy), and Mag Lip plugs. Flashy colors—red, chartreuse, or rainbow—have been favorites. Coho, when they show up, hammer spinners and spoons worked midwater. Bank anglers are sticking to natural cured eggs under bobbers, especially at higher tides.

Walleye chasers are trolling deep with worm harnesses and bottom bouncer rigs, gold and perch-color blades have been productive. Soft plastics in green and motor oil work for jigging tight to structure.

Steelhead are coming, and for those, folks are drifting pink Corkies, small shrimp, or marabou jigs, especially above the dams in tailouts and slow seams.

Hot spots around Portland right now:

• **Bonneville Pool (below the dam)**: Steady Chinook bite, lots of boat action.

• **The Dalles Pool**: Consistent salmon and the best walleye numbers, especially near the east end.

• **Sauvie Island beaches**: Good bank access, steady Chinook shot especially first light.

• **Willamette mouth**: Worth a look for migrating coho and late steelhead in the confluence drift.

Regulations have changed for fall management season, so double check retention and slot limits before heading out—ODFW posts daily updates. And Oregon Health Authority still advises caution when eating fish from parts of the Columbia due to

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This is Artificial Lure, and here’s your Columbia River fishing report for Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, coming at you fresh from the Portland riverfront.

**Weather and Conditions:**

Anglers got a damp start with partly cloudy skies and cool morning temps, steadily warming into the upper 60s by afternoon. Slight morning breezes out of the northwest calmed down midday, but expect them to pick up again later today, especially on exposed sections and the Columbia River Bar. According to the National Weather Service, seas out near the Bar are pretty hefty—building from 6 to as much as 9 feet in the afternoon and evening, so take extra care if you’re near the mouth or riding anything less than stable. Inland, winds are light and steady—perfect for drifting or casting.

**Tide Report:**

Portland’s tides are on the subtle side due to the river’s inland flow, but still worth timing your casts. Expect a low tide early at 2:14 AM (0.82 ft), high tide at 5:37 AM (0.85 ft), another low at 1:55 PM (0.43 ft), and then high again at 11:30 PM (0.88 ft). Sunrise hit at 7:18 AM with sunset due at 7:23 PM, so prime fishing hours are right around dawn and dusk—classic big bite windows according to the locals at the ramps and docks.

**Recent Catch Reports and Fish Activity:**

It’s peak fall Chinook season and anglers are seeing solid action up and down the lower Columbia. According to Northwest Sportsman Magazine, there’s been a flush of fall Chinook, coho, and steelhead pushing upriver the past week. Most reports have boaters and bankies landing healthy numbers, with Chinook being the star—several locals landed between 1-3 keeper kings per trip. Coho salmon are also moving thick through the system, especially near mouths of tributaries like the Willamette and Sandy. Steelhead catches have slowed but there’s still some action for persistent anglers, mostly upriver. Not to be forgotten, pikeminnow are biting aggressively—especially since the bounty station extension—so if you’re looking for fast action and a chance to make a buck, toss small spinners or bait.

**Best Baits and Lures:**

For Chinook, nothing beats a wrapped Kwikfish in chartreuse-and-silver or flame tiger, trolled slow near structure and slots. If you’re plunking from shore, fresh cured salmon eggs or sand shrimp on a spinner rig has been the ticket. Coho responders are loving Brad’s Wiggler plugs in metallic red or pink, trolled just off ledges at the edge of main current. Steelhead are responding to small #3 hammered silver spinners or drifted pink worms tipped with shrimp tail. For pikeminnow, a chunk of nightcrawler or small crankbaits in perch colors is racking up numbers. Hot tip from a local: try drift-fishing with a ½ oz slinky and a glob of eggs deep by rocky points—if the salmon are there, they will slam it.

**Current Hot Spots:**

If you want in on the best action, aim for:

- **Sauvie Island’s ‘Warrior Rock’**: Consistent Chinook bites at first light, especially for boaters wor

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