Columbia River Fishing Hotspot: Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth, and Walleye Abound

Good morning, anglers! Today is Saturday, April 12, 2025, and the Columbia River around Portland is primed for some exciting fishing action. Here’s your detailed fishing report: The weather this morning is shaping up nicely, with clear skies and a gentle breeze. Sunrise was at 6:35 AM, and sunset will be at 7:53 PM, giving you ample daylight to hit the water. Tidal movements are moderate today, with a flood tide early in the morning and an ebb tide rolling in by mid-afternoon, which should fuel fish activity. **Fishing Activity and Recent Catches:** The Columbia River is a hotspot for multiple species, including salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and smallmouth bass. Recent angling reports indicate that Chinook salmon are actively feeding as they migrate upriver. Chinook have been biting well on lures like the Simon 3.5 Colorado Spinner and 360 Flashers paired with cut-plug herring. Several anglers near Buoy 10 and the Bonneville Dam have reported good numbers of salmon catches, with some weighing over 20 pounds. Smallmouth bass fishing has also been productive, with anglers pulling in plentiful numbers using shad-imitating swim baits and crawdad imitations. Areas with flats and boulder structures are seeing most of the action. Reports suggest some great-sized smallmouth, with several fish over 4 pounds caught recently. Walleye fishing continues to deliver, especially in the lower Columbia. Techniques like jigging with nightcrawlers or yellow and white plastic grubs have been especially effective. These predators are holding in shallower waters, around 20 to 40 feet, with higher activity during the slower current periods. **Best Baits and Lures:** - **Salmon:** Try cut-plug herring, Simon Spin Dawgs, or McOmie Hoochie Spinners for trolling setups. - **Smallmouth Bass:** Shad-imitating swim baits or Columbia River crawdad imitations in colors like Old Ugly or Bill’s Money are doing wonders. - **Walleye:** Nightcrawlers rigged on a jig head or yellow/white grub tails are the top choices. - **Sturgeon:** Sand shrimp, smelt, and herring remain the go-to options for these bottom-dwellers, especially near Bonneville Dam. **Recommended Hot Spots:** 1. **Buoy 10:** A fantastic location for Chinook salmon as they move from the estuary into the river system. Try trolling spinners and flashers here. 2. **Bonneville Dam Tailwaters:** A prime area for both sturgeon and salmon, with some anglers reporting double-digit catch days. 3. **The Dalles Pool:** Great for targeting walleye and smallmouth bass around rocky structures and drop-offs. Whether you’re after a trophy salmon or just looking for a full cooler of smallmouth bass, there’s no better time to get out on the water. Tight lines, and I’ll see you out there! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.