Columbia River Fishing Forecast: Walleye, Sturgeon, and Salmon Opportunities Abound

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing in and around the Columbia River, particularly in the Portland area. As of today, January 31, 2025, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your fishing trip. ### Tidal and Weather Conditions First off, let's check the tides. For Wauna on the Columbia River, today's tide times are as follows: high tide at 3:48 AM with a height of 1.98 meters, low tide at 10:14 AM with a height of 0.39 meters, high tide again at 3:23 PM with a height of 2.3 meters, and finally, a low tide at 10:53 PM with a height of -0.16 meters[2]. The weather is quite chilly, typical for this time of year, so make sure to bundle up. Sunrise is at 7:36 AM, and sunset will be at 5:17 PM. ### Fish Activity Recently, the fishing has been quite active, especially for walleye. In the Rufus and Boardman areas, anglers have been catching healthy numbers of walleye. Trolling in likely walleye-holding areas and then switching to jigging once a productive school is located has been the successful strategy[1]. For those interested in sturgeon, the keeper season in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools opened on January 1 but was quickly closed after just one day due to high angler success. However, catch-and-release trips are still available and can be quite action-packed[1]. Salmon fishing, although more seasonal, has been good in the Hood River area and below Bonneville Dam. There are still some Chinook and coho salmon making their way upriver, but the peak season for these species is typically later in the year[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleye, jigging with the right gear is key. Trolling and then switching to jigging in productive areas has been effective. When it comes to salmon, you can't go wrong with tried and true methods. Brined herring, particularly cut plug herring, is a favorite among local guides. Trolling with Brad’s Super Bait Cut Plug or sardine-wrapped Kwikfish are also highly recommended[3][4]. For those looking to use lures, the Simon 3.0 Cut Plug and Simon 3.5 Spin Dawgs are excellent choices. These lures mimic the action of injured baitfish and work well at various trolling speeds. McOmie’s Colorado Hoochie Spinners and High Class Tackle 3.5 Colorado Spinners are also popular and effective[4]. ### Hot Spots If you're looking for some hot spots, consider the Rufus and Boardman areas for walleye. These areas have been producing good numbers recently. For salmon, the Hood River area above the bridge and below Bonneville Dam have been productive. The Columbia River Gorge is also a great spot, especially during the peak salmon seasons[1]. In summary, the Columbia River around Portland is offering some great fishing opportunities, especially for walleye right now. Make sure to check the tides, dress warmly, and use the right gear to increase your chances of a successful catch. Happy fishing This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.