Columbia River Portland Fishing Report Today

The Columbia River around Portland is offering anglers some promising spring fishing action today, April 4, 2025. Here's an overview of the key fishing details:

The weather today is mild, staying in the mid-50s with a mix of clouds and sunshine, accompanied by light winds. Sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 7:43 PM, giving ample daylight for fishing. Tides near Portland are moderate, typical for this time of year, providing steady current conditions that are ideal for salmon fishing.

The spring Chinook salmon season has been lively with hatchery springers being the main catch. Recent reports indicate better fishing outcomes in areas like Davis Bar and near the I-5 Bridge. The Columbia's season is set to close on April 7 below Bonneville Dam, so this weekend is your best opportunity to land a spring Chinook before regulations shift. Upstream in the Willamette River, you’ll find additional chances for Chinook as its season stays open year-round.

Today, anglers have had success using cut-plug herring paired with 360 flashers near the bottom in slow troll setups. Popular lures include Simon Spin Dawgs and Simon Cut Plugs, which mimic baitfish effectively. On brighter days, experiment with brined herring in blue or green hues to match lighting conditions.

If salmon are slow to bite, sturgeon catch-and-release action near the lower Willamette River is heating up. These prehistoric giants are a thrilling alternative and accessible from boats or banks. On the other hand, walleye enthusiasts are finding luck with nightcrawlers on jigs in 20 to 60 feet of water near Bonneville Pool.

Recent catches in the lower Columbia have included a handful of Chinook per day among the larger fishing community, with some nice-sized hatchery springers reported. Fishermen targeting steelhead have seen moderate success, particularly near Rainier.

For prime fishing hot spots, consider these locations:

- **Davis Bar:** Productive for spring Chinook with a mix of boat and shore fishing success.

- **Lower Willamette River:** Great for both salmon and sturgeon, especially near the head of Multnomah Channel.

As always, dress warmly and in rainproof layers, as weather conditions can shift suddenly. Don’t forget to double-check fishing regulations, including allowable species and daily limits, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Now’s the time—get out there and enjoy some of the Pacific Northwest's best spring fishing!

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Today, April 2, 2025, marks a prime day for fishing the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. With abundant opportunities for spring Chinook salmon and other species, anglers are expected to have a productive day on the water.

The sunrise today is at 6:47 AM, and sunset will be at 7:41 PM. The weather forecast indicates mild temperatures in the mid-50s to 60s, with partly cloudy skies and light winds. Tidal influences will play a role depending on the fishing location, as the Columbia River estuary sees notable changes affecting fish movement.

The spring Chinook run is in full swing, with an estimated 122,500 fish returning this season. Fishing is open from Buoy 10 to Beacon Rock through April 6, with anglers reporting catches of Chinook in these areas. Below Bonneville Dam, counts suggest promising activity, with fish caught from Rainier to Lower Puget Island. In these areas, recent reports show anglers landing Chinook, steelhead, and shad. Bank anglers are also seeing success near Portland, keeping steelhead and Chinook in moderate numbers.

For lures and bait, trolling cut-plug herring or using spinners remains highly effective for targeting spring Chinook. The Simon 3.0 Cut Plug and Colorado spinners are recommended for their consistent action. Adding scent to these lures can increase strikes. Anglers pursuing steelhead have had luck with nightcrawlers, plugs, or drifted corkies. For smallmouth bass north of Portland, shad-imitating swim baits and crawdad patterns work well in rocky areas and along drop-offs.

Hotspots today include the stretch from Kelly Point Park to Warrior Rock and areas below Bonneville Dam. Buoy 10 remains a strong bet for salmon anglers. For bank fishing, areas near Meldrum Bar or St. Helens provide accessible opportunities.

With strong fish activity, good weather, and favorable tides, today is a great day to hit the water on the Columbia River. Whether on a boat or the shore, anglers are in for an exciting day with ample opportunities to reel in some great catches.

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Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 31, 2025. Let me tell you, the spring fishing season is heating up and there's plenty of action to be had out on the water.

First things first, let's talk tides. We've got a high tide of 2.95 feet at 7:57 AM and a low tide of 0.34 feet at 4:19 PM. The sun's coming up at 6:52 AM and setting at 7:38 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

Weather-wise, it's looking like a typical spring day in Portland. Expect some clouds with a chance of showers, but nothing too heavy. Temperatures should be in the mid-50s, so layer up and bring a rain jacket just in case.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Spring Chinook are starting to show up in decent numbers. We've been seeing some nice catches below Bonneville Dam, with anglers reporting success using herring and sardine-wrapped Kwikfish. If you're bank fishing, try tossing out some cured eggs or sand shrimp.

Steelhead fishing has been steady, with both wild and hatchery fish in the mix. Drift fishing with yarn and eggs has been productive, especially in the Gorge area. Don't forget to check the regulations, as some spots are catch-and-release only for wild steelhead.

For you bass anglers, the smallmouth bite is picking up as the water warms. Jigs and soft plastics in crawdad colors have been working well, especially around rocky structure.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying your luck around the I-5 Bridge or heading up to the Multnomah Channel. The Warrior Rock area has also been producing some nice catches.

Bait-wise, you can't go wrong with fresh sand shrimp or cured eggs for salmon and steelhead. If you're targeting sturgeon, try using fresh smelt or pickled squid.

For those who prefer artificial lures (like yours truly), I've been having good luck with green label herring helmets for salmon and marabou jigs for steelhead. Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors and retrieves.

Remember, folks, the spring Chinook season is closely regulated, so make sure you're up to date on the latest rules and closures. And as always, practice good river etiquette and pack out what you pack in.

That's all for now, anglers. Get out there and tight lines to ya!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 30, 2025. We're looking at a partly cloudy day with highs around 62°F and lows near 48°F. Sunrise is at 6:53 AM, and sunset will be at 7:37 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to wet our lines.

Now, let's talk tides. We've got a low tide of 0.24 feet at 2:18 AM, followed by a high of 2.78 feet at 7:16 AM. Another low of 0.29 feet comes in at 3:23 PM, with the day's final high at 7:46 PM, reaching 2.01 feet. These tide swings should create some good current and hopefully get those fish moving.

Folks, the spring Chinook run is starting to heat up! We've been seeing more and more springers making their way up the Columbia. Last week, anglers were having decent luck around the I-5 bridge and Davis Bar area. A few lucky fishermen even landed some nice ones near Multnomah Falls.

For you sturgeon enthusiasts, the catch-and-release fishing has been steady. Remember, retention is closed, but these prehistoric beasts are still fun to battle.

As for lures, you can't go wrong with a green or red spinner for those springers. The Jackall Gavacho in gold gill has been producing well, and don't forget about the trusty SPRO Rock Crawler 55. If you're more of a bait fisher, cured salmon roe is always a solid choice.

Speaking of bait, fresh sand shrimp and smelt have been working wonders for both salmon and sturgeon. And here's a local tip: try using a whole shad if you're targeting those big sturgeon below Bonneville Dam.

For you smallmouth bass lovers, the bite is starting to pick up as the water warms. A 3.8 Keitech Swing Impact Fat on a 1/4-ounce ball head has been money lately.

Now, for some hot spots. I'd recommend giving the stretch between Warrior Rock and Rainier a shot for some spring Chinook action. If you're after sturgeon, the deep holes near the mouth of the Willamette have been producing some giants.

Remember, folks, always check the latest regulations before heading out. Tight lines, and I'll catch you on the river!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for today, March 28, 2025. Let's dive right in!

First off, we've got a high tide at 2:28 PM hitting 6.66 feet, with a low tide at 9:29 PM at -0.14 feet. Sunrise is at 7:00 AM and sunset at 7:37 PM, giving us a solid day of fishing time. Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s, so layer up!

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! Spring Chinook are starting to show up in decent numbers. Last week, we saw about a dozen springers caught throughout the lower river. The bite's been a bit slow, but it's picking up. Steelhead are still in the mix too, with a few nice ones being landed near Longview.

For you bass enthusiasts, the smallmouth action is heating up as the water warms. Folks have been having luck with swim baits imitating shad and crawdad-colored crankbaits.

Lure-wise, I'm loving the Simon 3.0 Cut Plug in brass-fire wing for salmon. For steelhead, you can't go wrong with a Mepps spinner. Bass are hitting on 3.8 Keitech Swing Impact Fat on a 1/4-ounce ball head.

If you're more of a bait fisher, sand shrimp and cut-plug herring are your best bets for salmon. For sturgeon, try squid or smelt.

Hot spots this week include the I-5 Bridge area for salmon, and the stretch between Warrior Rock and Longview Bridge for a mixed bag of salmon and steelhead. Bass anglers should check out the Gorge area.

Remember, the limit's two salmon per day, and one can be a Chinook. Wild coho need to be released below the Hood River Bridge.

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

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 26, 2025. It's shaping up to be a decent day on the water, so let's dive right in.

First off, we've got a high tide coming in at 4:44 AM, hitting about 2 feet, followed by a low tide at 11:13 AM dropping to around half a foot. The next high tide rolls in at 4:27 PM, pushing up to 2.37 feet. Keep an eye on those water levels, folks - they can make or break your day.

Weather-wise, we're looking at a partly cloudy day with temps in the mid-50s. Sunrise is at 7:01 AM, and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:31 PM. That gives us a solid 12 and a half hours of daylight to work with.

Now, let's talk fish. The spring Chinook run is starting to pick up steam, and we're seeing some decent catches around the Portland area. A few lucky anglers have been pulling in some nice 15 to 20-pounders. The Columbia River Crawdad has been a hot lure lately, especially in the "Bill's Money" color. If you're more of a bait fisher, you can't go wrong with some cured salmon roe.

Smallmouth bass action has been heating up too. Folks have been having luck with swim baits like the 3.8 Keitech Swing Impact Fat on a 1/4-ounce ball head. The shad-colored ones seem to be working best.

For you walleye hunters out there, try trolling with a bottom bouncer and a nightcrawler harness. The bite's been pretty consistent, especially near the John Day Dam.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend checking out the area around Multnomah Channel. It's been producing some nice spring Chinook. For smallmouth, try the rocky areas near the I-5 Bridge.

Remember, folks, the key to success is staying mobile. If you're not getting bites in one spot, don't be afraid to move around. And as always, make sure you've got your licenses and tags in order.

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and good luck out there!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for March 24, 2025. It's a crisp morning out on the water, with temperatures hovering around 45°F and expected to climb to the mid-50s by afternoon. We've got partly cloudy skies, so don't forget your shades!

Sunrise was at 7:10 AM, and we're looking at sunset around 7:34 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to reel in some beauties. Speaking of which, the spring Chinook run is starting to heat up! We've been seeing more and more of these prized fish making their way upriver.

Tide-wise, we're looking at a high tide of 6.72 feet at 8:25 AM, followed by a low of 0.7 feet at 3:46 PM. Keep an eye on those water levels, folks – they can make or break your fishing spot.

Recent reports show a mix of spring Chinook and winter steelhead being caught. Last week, anglers near the I-5 bridge area landed a few nice Chinook, with one boat keeping a 15-pounder. The Woodland and Kalama sections have been a bit slower, but don't let that discourage you – the fish are there, just playing hard to get!

For you lure enthusiasts out there, I've been having great luck with Simon Spin Dawgs behind a 360 Flasher. These babies really mimic that wounded baitfish action that drives the Chinook wild. If you're more of a bait fisher, you can't go wrong with some cured salmon roe or a nice, plump sand shrimp.

As for hot spots, I'd recommend giving the stretch between Warrior Rock and the Longview Bridge a shot. We've seen some decent action there lately. Another area to check out is near the mouth of the Cowlitz River – it's been producing some nice steelhead catches.

Remember, folks, patience is key this time of year. The big spring runs are just getting started, so keep at it, and you'll be rewarded with some of the best-tasting salmon you've ever had.

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

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

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!

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.