Columbia River Fishing Report: Fall Chinook, Walleye, and Choppy Waters

Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for Saturday, October 11, 2025. Let’s get right into it! Forecasts from the National Weather Service out of Portland say we’re in for a classic fall Saturday—slight south winds giving way to some northwest gusts later on, and with a small craft advisory in effect late afternoon through the evening, expect the river to get choppy as the day goes on. Skies are mostly cloudy with scattered light showers possible, temperatures in the mid-50s early and topping out just under 70 in the afternoon—pretty good fishing weather if you don’t mind fleece and rain gear. Sunrise was 7:28 AM, and sunset’s coming at 6:36 PM. Tides are running moderate at the Columbia River mouth today. According to tide-forecast.com, high tide hit at 4:46 AM at 6.05 feet, then we’ll see a low tide at 9:42 AM (2.76 feet), with the second high coming at 3:50 PM at 8.19 feet, then dropping off for a night low at 10:55 PM. Fish those moving edges for your best shot—predawn and late afternoon transitions are always prime on this system. Fall Chinook action is still hanging on, especially below the Portland Harbor through St. Helens and down to the mouth. Most boats this week have been working 360 flashers paired with cut-plug herring or spinners—chartreuse and silver seem to be the ticket. Reports from the stretch between Kelley Point and Sauvie Island say a few solid Chinooks have been hooked early morning right at daybreak and again around the afternoon high, though things are tapering down as the run wraps up. Some coho are still in the mix, especially on those overcast mornings. Walleye anglers on the Multnomah Channel have found slow but steady bites at dawn, with blade baits and worm harnesses catching most of the better fish. Smaller cranks in perch or firetiger pattern are a close second. Bass fishing’s mostly wound down, but persistent folks working drop shots or Ned rigs near rocky structure below Willamette Falls still pick up a few in the midday hours. Sturgeon are catch-and-release only these days, but if you’re looking for action, deep holes below the I-5 bridge or around Government Island are always a good bet. Sand shrimp and smelt bring the bites, just remember the slot limit’s closed for harvest. Local panfish can still surprise from bank spots near Scappoose Bay—small jigs tipped with worm under a float will find perch or the occasional fat crappie. For trout, check recent ODFW stocking at regional lakes, as the mainstem isn’t scheduled right now. Top hot spots today: - Kelley Point Park: Especially at high slack for salmon; bring your herring and work the channel edge. - Multnomah Channel at Coon Island: Early for walleye, especially on an incoming tide. - St. Helens area: Troll spinners or plugs just outside the main current seam. In sum, it’s a transition week—some early Chinook still, the last pushes of coho, and steady walleye action for those in the know. With moderate tides and cool fall ai This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.