Columbia River Angling: Tides, Temps, and Tussles for Steelhead, Coho, and Bass

Artificial Lure coming to you with the latest from the Columbia River around Portland this Thursday, November 13th, 2025. Here’s your morning angling report—grab your thermos and let's run down what's happening! **Tidal Situation:** Today’s tide swings in Portland show a rising volume—fishermen can expect an early low around 6:40 am with the next high hitting roughly 12:37 pm, then dropping toward a late afternoon low. These gentle shifts will keep fish active mid-morning to midday, especially near channel edges and deep holes. According to US Harbors, sunrise was at 7:05 am and sunset tonight lands around 4:42 pm—so prime daylight hours are tighter now as we lean deeper into fall. **Weather:** Clouds are riding in and there’s a steady chance of light showers with temps starting near 43°F and creeping up toward the low 50s. Winds look mild at 5–8 mph from the south, which is comfortable for casting and keeps the water texture lively. Cooler air temps mean slower fish metabolism, but rain pushes the scent of bait downstream: ideal for targeting steelhead and coho. **Fish Activity:** Reports from The Columbian this week confirm decent activity overall, though as we slide past peak salmon runs, the haul is tilting toward winter steelhead, late coho, and resident walleye. Anglers hitting the river early have been wrangling a handful of quality steelhead up near the Lewis and Sandy confluences, while some persistent bass folks are still finding smallmouth along rocky points below Kelley Point. Recent catches highlight steelhead (up to 12 lbs, though most are 6–8 lbs), coho (few but chunky, averaging 5–7 lbs), and sturgeon—remember, sturgeon must be released. **Hot Spots:** If you want action, two prime locations stand out: - **Sauvie Island - Gilbert River Mouth:** Consistently producing steelhead—drift your bait or spinner just below the bridge. - **Willamette Confluence (around Kelley Point Park):** Good for coho and mixed bass, especially on an incoming tide and a cloudy morning. **Best Lures and Baits:** - **Steelhead & Coho:** Go with chartreuse or orange Spin-N-Glo, small 3.5 Mag Lip plugs, or fluorescent twitching jigs. Cured shrimp or sand shrimp, and a quarter-size chunk of roe, are both working well in the current. - **Bass:** Pumpkinseed or green tube jigs fished slow along drop-offs and old pilings. - **Sturgeon:** If you're after the big boys, fresh smelt or squid is bringing them up. Use stout gear and be ready for a tussle. **Local chatter** suggests that fluorocarbon leaders (10–12 lb for steelhead, 8 lb for coho) are key, as low-clear flows make fish line-shy. Don’t forget to run your scent—anise or krill works best—and keep your offerings moving at a varied speed. Best overall tip: work your presentation slow and steady. Early tide changes get migration bites, but as the afternoon flows settle and boat pressure eases, fish chill deeper and closer to structure. Drift rigs just off bottom and target seams where the cur This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.