Columbia River Fishing Report: Chinook, Walleye, and Sturgeon Update for May 10, 2025

Good morning fishers, this is Artificial Lure checking in with your Columbia River fishing report for May 10, 2025, covering the Portland area and surrounding waters. First light hit at 5:39 a.m. today and we’re looking at a sunset around 8:29 p.m., so there’s plenty of daylight to wet a line. Weather’s cool and mostly cloudy with some rain expected later, which should give the water a welcome bump and help push some fresh fish upriver. The Columbia is running typical spring flows and still a bit high, but those in the know are saying the water clarity is improving by the day. Let’s talk fish. Spring Chinook are the main game in town right now. The state has added open days for spring Chinook above Bonneville Dam, including today, so if you’re on the east side of town, you’ve got a good shot. Catches so far are pretty scattered with anglers picking up a few springers here and there, mostly upriver from Bonneville through the Tower Island stretch. Down around Portland International Airport and below, folks are starting to tangle with some salmon, but it’s still a little on the slow side. Best bet with Chinook is trolling herring or plug cut bait behind a flasher, or running a 360 flasher with a Pro-Troll and spinner. Chartreuse and gold have been working, especially when there’s a little color in the water. Bank anglers are still picking up a few using bobber and eggs, especially on Bonneville off the deadline. If Chinook aren’t biting, the walleye bite is heating up just east of Portland, especially in The Dalles and John Day pools. This week, guides checked in with over 330 walleye kept and nearly 200 released in John Day alone. Jigs tipped with nightcrawler or soft plastics in fire tiger and perch patterns are pulling fish in 20 to 40 feet of water. Early mornings and evenings have been best. Sturgeon retention is still closed throughout the Portland stretch and below Bonneville. That said, catch and release fishing is excellent if you’re after a tug; Willamette sloughs and the lower river are giving up some big ones, especially on smelt and squid baits. Remember, check the regs before you go. Hot spots for the day: Try the waters around Government Island for Chinook, especially if you’re trolling. Walleye chasers should focus on The Dalles Pool east of Hood River, or closer to Portland, target above the I-205 bridge on a good tide exchange. Tidal swing is modest today, with slow incoming tide through the morning, peaking in the early afternoon. Plan to cover the outgoing tide if you’re after Chinook downstream. That wraps it up for today. Dress for rain, keep an eye on the weather, and as always, handle fish with care. Tight lines out there and good luck! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.