Columbia River Fishing Report - Fresh Fall Chinook, Early Coho & Hungry Walleye

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for October 3rd, 2025, straight out of Portland—let’s jump right in. Sunrise hit at 7:23 this morning, with sunset coming up at 7:12 tonight. We’re looking at a modest high tide rolling through at 7:19 AM, sitting right around 0.95 feet, and expect a low tide later tonight at 10:17 PM at 0.36 feet, based on Tide-Forecast’s prediction. If you’re looking to get an early start, that incoming tide first thing is always worth targeting, drawing Chinook and coho up into those shoreline eddies and channel drops. The weather’s stayed classic fall—chilly at first light, warming a bit midday, but the big story is the water: temps are finally dipping, putting Chinook in the mood for what Metro area regulars call “solid takedowns.” According to The Guide’s Forecast, the Columbia from St. Helens all the way to Bonneville is stacked with fresh fall Chinook, and right now we’re in the high gear of the run. Bonus: there’s an early push of coho tearing upstream, especially on the heels of last week’s rain. Latest harvest numbers from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife show strong catches upstream of Rainier, but the real hotspot action is up from Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam. Just last week, ODFW’s survey counted 185 Chinook and 26 jacks kept, plus another 6 coho, all from boats working the Bonneville Pool. The Dalles Pool is alive, too, with 203 Chinook and 27 jacks landed. Bank anglers are a bit slower—boat’s your best bet right now. Targeting Chinook? Most of the regulars are pulling Pro-Troll flashers with chartreuse and silver spinners or running cut-plug herring behind 360 flashers when the water’s calmer. For coho, go smaller: Brad’s Wigglers in metallic finishes and small pink spinners have both been producing, especially as the water clears up. First-light bite has been classic, but the outgoing tide around noon can set up a second window if traffic’s light. Walleye folks, John Day Pool has been the star, with 61 walleye kept last week and 27 released for just 10 boats—blade baits in gold and perch were the top producers according to local tackle shops. The Dalles Pool also coughed up a few, but not nearly the same numbers. Sturgeon is mostly catch and release territory below Bonneville; retention is closed, but it’s still worth soaking a smelt or sand shrimp if you want to tussle with a big one before sunset. For bankies, hot spots right now are the beaches near Rooster Rock State Park for early morning Chinook and the boat launch at Chinook Landing for mixed coho and walleye action. If you’re floating, target the stretch from Warrior Rock upstream to Dalton Point—depth changes and current seams are stacking kings even as we move into October. Final tips: keep your tackle bright and your bait fresh. Chartreuse and silver blades for Chinook, pink or orange for coho, and nightcrawlers or worm harnesses for those bottom-hugging walleye. Watch the tide, beat t This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.