Episodios

  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Shad, Springers, and Sturgeon Abound in Late Spring Conditions

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Shad, Springers, and Sturgeon Abound in Late Spring Conditions
    May 24 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, May 24, 2025, fishing report for the Columbia River around Portland.

    We’ve got ideal late-spring conditions today. The sun rose at 5:29 AM and will set at 8:44 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to be on the water. Weather-wise, expect mild temps in the low 60s early, warming to the mid-70s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze. River conditions are solid, with water clarity fair and flows typical for late May.

    Tidal swings are moderate today. The biggest action will be on the outgoing tide, especially for shore plunkers. Those fishing the lower river from Kelly Point down past Sauvie Island should watch the tide chart and target the top two hours of outgoing water for best results.

    Shad have started pushing through in good numbers, providing fast action for anglers near Bonneville Dam and popular bank spots like Meldrum Bar. Small gold or silver spoons, shad darts, and brightly colored crappie jigs are working best. Folks are reporting double-digit catches per hour when the schools come through, especially mid-morning.

    Spring Chinook (springers) are still showing in the Portland sections. While the run wasn’t huge this year, there’s fresh fish moving up on each tide. The most recent creel reports show 42 marked Chinook adults landed in the last open period, mostly by boaters running herring or spinners in the main channel. Anchoring up along Davis Bar or out front of the Willamette’s mouth has been a solid bet. Try trolling cut-plug herring or running 3.5 spinners in chartreuse or pink with a flasher.

    Sturgeon fishing is picking up, too, and legal-sized fish are being caught near the Portland Airport and St. Johns Bridge. Sand shrimp, smelt, or squid are getting bites, especially on outgoing tides. Remember to check current regs for keepers and slot limits, as rules can change quickly.

    For bank fishing, Meldrum Bar and the beaches near Bonneville Dam are the top spots for both shad and the occasional stray steelhead. Boat anglers should focus on the Davis Bar area and the Multnomah Channel head for springers, or hit the Airport reach for sturgeon.

    Best baits right now are cut-plug herring, sand shrimp, and smelt for sturgeon, and small spoons or shad darts for shad. Don’t forget to have some 3.5 spinners and tuna-wrapped FlatFish in your box for Chinook.

    Overall, fishing is firing up and this weekend looks to be one of the best in weeks for getting out with friends and family. See you on the river and tight lines to all.

    Artificial Lure, signing off.
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Late Spring Chinook, Shad, and Sturgeon Action

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Late Spring Chinook, Shad, and Sturgeon Action
    May 23 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for May 23, 2025, focusing on the Portland area and surrounding waters.

    We had first light this morning at 5:39 and sunset will be around 8:29, so you have a long stretch of time to get lines in the water and enjoy some late spring angling. The weather’s cool and mostly cloudy, with a good chance of rain later today. This should bump the river flow a little and help bring in some fresh fish. The Columbia is running at typical spring levels, still a little high, but water clarity has been improving steadily over the past week[5].

    Spring Chinook is the headline story right now. The state just announced additional open days for Chinook retention above Bonneville Dam, including today, so anglers upriver have more opportunity to target these prized salmon[1][3]. Catches are picking up but still a bit scattered, with most fish coming from the Bonneville stretch up to Tower Island. Downstream, including around Portland International Airport, folks are starting to get into some springers, but overall action is still on the slow side as the run builds[2][5].

    Best methods for Chinook this week: trolling cut plug herring or anchovy behind a big Pro-Troll flasher, or running a 360 flasher with a spinner or Super Bait. Bank anglers are finding some limited luck running bobber and eggs, especially up near Bonneville at the bank access points. Chartreuse and gold have been hot colors, especially when the river has some color from rain or runoff[5].

    Shad are starting to show up in numbers in the lower river, with early waves moving in near Willamette and up toward Bonneville. Standard shad darts in pink, green, or chartreuse are the go-to. This fishery should be heating up any day now and will provide steady action for the next several weeks[1].

    Sturgeon catches have been slower for keepers, but some folks are still hooking into decent numbers of sublegal fish below Bonneville and in the Portland harbor on smelt and squid baits. Remember, sturgeon retention is closed in this stretch, so handle fish with care and release quickly[5].

    For bait, herring and anchovy are top choices for Chinook, while shad anglers are sticking with small flashy darts. Sturgeon are hitting on smelt, squid, and anchovies fished off the bottom[5].

    A couple of hot spots for today:
    - Near the mouth of the Willamette for early shad and the chance at a Chinook passing through.
    - Upriver from Bonneville Dam through Tower Island, where the bulk of the springer action is being reported.

    That’s the latest from the Columbia. Watch for changing conditions with the rain today and be safe on the water. Good luck out there.
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    3 m
  • Springers Slamming on the Columbia - Crushing Kwikfish, Walleye Hammers, and More!

    Springers Slamming on the Columbia - Crushing Kwikfish, Walleye Hammers, and More!
    May 21 2025
    This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Columbia River fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The spring Chinook action is absolutely on fire right now, folks! We're seeing a robust run this year with forecasts showing about 217,500 fish moving upstream - way better than we've seen in recent seasons.

    River conditions are looking prime with water temperatures starting to hit that sweet spot. The morning bite has been consistently strong, especially once the sun's been on the water for a couple hours. Today's high tide is around 10:45 AM with a moderate outgoing flow through the afternoon, making the first half of the day your best bet for hooking into these springers.

    Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps climbing into the mid-60s by afternoon. Winds should stay under 10 mph until later in the day, so the morning drift should be nice and controlled. Sunrise was at 5:35 AM and we'll have light until sunset at 8:30 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get after 'em.

    The latest reports from Davis Bar and the head of Multnomah Channel have been outstanding, with multiple boats limiting out before noon. The Portland Airport area has been consistently producing, and don't sleep on that stretch between the I-5 Bridge and the Sandy River mouth - that's been a sneaky good spot this past week.

    For tackle, those K15 Kwikfish wrapped with a sardine fillet are absolutely crushing it right now. Herring in the deeper holes has been productive too, especially with a touch of chartreuse scent added. If you're a hardware junkie, 3/4 oz Vibrax spinners in brass/fire tiger patterns have been getting grabbed.

    Don't forget about the walleye action either! Several 8-10 pounders have come out of the river near Government Island this week. Bottom walkers with nightcrawler harnesses are your best bet there.

    Remember, the states just extended the spring Chinook season after that meeting back on May 7th, but always double-check the regs before heading out as things can change fast this time of year.

    Hot spots for today: I'd hit the wing dam just downstream of the Portland Airport first thing, then shift to Frenchman's Bar as the tide starts moving out. If you're looking for a less crowded option, the deep hole off of Sauvie Island's north tip has been giving up some absolute slabs for the few folks working it properly.

    Good luck out there, tight lines, and I'll catch you next week with another Columbia River report!
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Spring Chinook Winding Down, Promising Numbers Around Portland

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Spring Chinook Winding Down, Promising Numbers Around Portland
    May 19 2025
    Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure coming at you with today’s fishing report for the Columbia River in and around Portland, Monday, May 19, 2025.

    The spring Chinook run is winding down but still showing promising numbers around the Portland stretch. Recent counts from Bonneville down to Vancouver show that bank anglers are picking up Chinook with the best success just below the dam. Last week, 204 bank anglers at Bonneville kept 84 Chinook and one jack, while the Vancouver stretch saw 17 boats with 32 rods netting two Chinook and two jacks. Reports down toward Woodland have been slower, but a few boats still managed to scrape up some Chinook and a lone steelhead. Boat action has been hit or miss, but persistent effort near the travel lanes is still paying off[1].

    Tides today are typical for May, with a decent swing around midday. This will move some fish and could bump up the bite, especially as the outgoing tide settles. Early risers took advantage of a 5:36 am sunrise, and anglers should see action carry through much of the day, with sunset at 8:39 pm. Weather is mild and cloudy with highs expected in the upper 60s, making for comfortable conditions on the river.

    Fish activity on the mainstem is definitely centered around Chinook salmon right now, with a few steelhead starting to show and the first whispers of shad. Catch rates are best during the tide changes, so time your efforts accordingly. Salmon have been responding well to natural baits like cut plug herring or anchovy, especially when brined and run behind a flasher. On the gear side, 3.5 size spinners in chartreuse or orange, MagLip 3.5 plugs, and Pro-Troll flashers paired with spinners are all pulling their weight. For bank anglers, drift fishing eggs or sand shrimp near the mouths of tributaries remains steady[1][2].

    Two reliable hot spots to check today: First, the stretch just below Bonneville Dam for the highest Chinook encounter rates. Second, the Vancouver waterfront down to Caterpillar Island — both have produced fish this week and offer plenty of bank and boat access. Don’t overlook the mouths of the Washougal and Willamette for some bonus action as well[1].

    With springers still moving, now is the time to hit the river. Check your regulations for current retention rules and don’t forget your rain gear just in case. Stay safe and tight lines out there from Artificial Lure[1][2][4].
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Spring Chinook & Walleye Fishing Report for May 18, 2025

    Columbia River Spring Chinook & Walleye Fishing Report for May 18, 2025
    May 18 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for May 18, 2025, right here in Portland. If you’re heading out today, you’re in for classic spring weather—expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers, temps reaching the upper 60s, and a light west wind. Sunrise rolled in at 5:32 AM, and sunset will be at 8:38 PM. Be ready for those midday bites as the water warms up.

    Tide tables show gentle morning ebbing and an incoming tide through the afternoon, which should get salmon and shad moving, especially near river mouths and current seams. Now’s prime time for the spring Chinook run, and the fish counts have been strong. Last week, from Bonneville down through the Vancouver stretch, bank and boat anglers landed good numbers—204 bank anglers below Bonneville kept 84 Chinook and a jack, while 17 boats around Vancouver put two Chinook, two jacks, and a few releases on the board. Camas and Washougal boats are getting a few more Chinook too. Steelhead catches have been light but possible, especially first light or late afternoon[3][5].

    The Oregon Technical Advisory Committee says the spring Chinook return is on track to hit a solid 122,500 fish, so now’s as good a time as any to chase them. Walleye action is picking up in the deeper holes and flats from the mouth of the Willamette upriver, especially around Sauvies Island and below the I-5 Bridge[4][5].

    Your best bet for Chinook is trolling herring or anchovies, dyed green or blue, behind a chartreuse flasher. Spinners in pink, red, and chartreuse, especially with gold blades, have been working well on overcast days. Try prawn spinners or cured roe for a change-up, and run your gear just off the bottom in 18-25 feet. For walleye, stick to bottom walkers and worm harnesses in bright orange or chartreuse.

    Hot spots today include Davis Bar and the head of Multnomah Channel for salmon, and the Vancouver stretch or Sauvie Island flats for both salmon and walleye. The bank access below Bonneville Dam is always a local favorite when the fish are running. If you’re after shad, cast small flutter spoons or darts at the mouths of the Sandy or Willamette.

    Rain or shine, the fish are here and the bite is heating up. Tight lines and see you on the water.
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Chinook, Shad, and More in Peak Spring Action

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Chinook, Shad, and More in Peak Spring Action
    May 17 2025
    Good morning fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your Columbia River fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025. Sunrise hit just after 5:30 AM and sunset will be around 8:40 PM today, giving us plenty of daylight to get lines wet. The weather is shaping up nicely with mild spring temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, light winds, and a mix of sun and clouds—just about perfect for a full day on the water.

    This is peak spring Chinook season on the Columbia around Portland. Recent fish counts and angler reports show solid action, especially with the extended spring Chinook openings set by fisheries managers earlier this month. Keep an eye on the in-season regulation updates, but for now, the bite is active and the river is producing[1][5]. Most Chinook are running in the 10-15 pound range, with a few pushing larger. Focus your efforts near the Portland Airport and downriver towards St. Helens, where fresh fish are moving in on every tide[2][3].

    Shad are showing up in better numbers too, staging below Bonneville Dam and starting to move upriver. Sturgeon retention is closed in this stretch but catch-and-release is open and productive below Bonneville if you want to tug on something big[2].

    Walleye fishing has been steady, especially in deeper holes and along channel edges from Sauvie Island up to the Willamette confluence. The bite is best on a slow retrieve near structure or drop-offs. Rainbows and a few smallmouth bass have also been caught on the Oregon side sloughs and backwaters, responding well to jigs and small crankbaits[4].

    For best results on Chinook, most folks are running herring or prawn spinners behind a flasher, trolling at 2-3 mph. Pro-cure scents are giving anglers a little extra edge. If you’re chasing shad, small chartreuse darts or spoons do the trick. Walleye are hitting on nightcrawlers trolled behind bottom walkers and blade baits.

    Today’s tides around Portland will see a moderate morning incoming tide peaking mid-morning, then outgoing through early afternoon. The higher water helps push fresh fish upriver and triggers a bite around structure and current seams.

    A couple of hotspots worth hitting: Troutdale stretch near the mouth of the Sandy River, especially early and late. Also try the sloughs around Kelly Point Park and the Columbia-Scappoose area, where both Chinook and shad have been thick this week.

    That’s all from Artificial Lure. Good luck out there, and don’t forget to double check the regs before you go. Tight lines!
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Spring Chinook and Sturgeon on the Bite

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Spring Chinook and Sturgeon on the Bite
    May 16 2025
    Columbia River Fishing Report for Friday, May 16, 2025

    Good morning fishers, Artificial Lure here with your latest Columbia River update for the Portland area.

    The weather is shaping up mild and overcast today, with scattered showers in the forecast. Expect highs in the mid-60s and light winds—nothing that should keep you off the water. Sunrise came at 5:34 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:39 p.m., giving us a broad window for casting lines.

    Tides are on the moderate side today, so you can expect steady current but nothing extreme. These conditions favor the bite, especially for those working the banks and around river drop-offs.

    Fish activity has started to pick up with more spring Chinook showing around the city, particularly between the I-5 bridge and up toward Multnomah Falls. Catch numbers are still on the slow side but improving, with a dozen or so springers taken last week in the lower river stretches, and a handful reported near Portland International Airport and downriver in Longview. Don’t forget, the Willamette is running muddy from recent rains, so the Columbia is your best bet for clearer water.

    Sturgeon action remains strong, with several recent trips seeing boats hook and release good numbers of fish. Legal-sized sturgeon are in decent supply—2025 returns are looking up compared to last year—so targeting them with sand shrimp or smelt continues to pay off. Some guides are reporting “a ton” of sturgeon caught, especially downstream toward the mouth of the Willamette[3][5].

    For Chinook, herring and spinners are still the best bet. Bright colors like chartreuse, green, or silver are working well, and trolled or on anchor setups both have their moments. Plug-cut herring has hooked most of the recent salmon, but don’t overlook prawns or eggs if traffic is heavy. If you’re working for sturgeon, go with sand shrimp, smelt, or fresh squid strips.

    For hot spots, try working the waters just below the I-5 bridge for springers, or head upriver toward Rooster Rock and the head of Multnomah Channel. Sturgeon seekers should focus their efforts near the Portland Airport stretch or just above the mouth of the Willamette, where deeper holes and ledges concentrate the fish.

    That’s your Columbia River report for today—tight lines, fish smart, and respect the river. This is Artificial Lure signing off.
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    3 m
  • Columbia River Fishing Report: Rain, Springer Pickup, Sturgeon Steady

    Columbia River Fishing Report: Rain, Springer Pickup, Sturgeon Steady
    May 14 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for May 14, 2025.

    We rolled into the day with mostly cloudy skies and temps starting in the mid-50s, warming up into the 60s as the day goes on. Rain is in the forecast again, which could freshen up the bite and bring new runs of fish pushing through the system. Sunrise today was at 5:41 AM and sunset will be at 8:36 PM, so you have plenty of daylight to get after it.

    Tidal movement in Portland is moderate today, and with a little rain and those shifting flows, you can expect fish to move, especially during the outgoing tide. Make sure to check a local tide chart for timing if you’re fishing the lower river or around Sauvie Island.

    The spring chinook salmon run is picking up but still hasn’t hit its full stride. Recent catches have been scattered, with some springers being reported from the airport stretch downstream and in the Bonneville area, though it’s still on the slow side. The Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife departments are opening select days for spring chinook in the lower Columbia this month, so check regulations before you hit the water. There’s a good forecast for upriver spring chinook this year, so the best could be just around the corner[1][5].

    Sturgeon action has been steady, with folks catching good numbers on the lower Willamette and Columbia, especially on catch-and-release trips. Down around the mouth of the Willamette and near the St. Johns Bridge are reliable spots—expect sturgeon to run from shaker size to some real giants in the deeper holes[2].

    For baits and lures, trolling herring or prawn spinners behind a flasher is still the best bet for spring chinook. Chartreuse and natural bait colors are working, especially with the water just a bit murky from recent rains. Some anglers are picking up fish on Brad’s Super Baits stuffed with tuna or scent. For sturgeon, fresh smelt or squid is the go-to—especially with smelt still in the system up to the airport[1][5].

    Hot spots worth checking today include the Portland International Airport stretch down to Sauvie Island for salmon, especially on a moving tide, and the Willamette-Columbia confluence for both salmon and sturgeon. Meldrum Bar up by Oregon City is also worth a look, especially if the Willamette starts to clear up.

    Trout fishing in nearby lakes and rivers is a strong option right now, with good spring hatches and hungry fish if you need a break from the salmon grind[3].

    That’s it for today’s Columbia River report. Tight lines, fish smart, and here’s to big bites and bent rods!
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    3 m
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