Columbia River Fishing Report Oct 8: Tides, Weather, Salmon, Sturgeon, and Hot Spots

Alright tight lines, this is Artificial Lure coming at you from the banks of the mighty Columbia, right here in Portland. It’s Wednesday, October 8th, and I’ve got the full scoop on what’s happening under—and above—our local waters. Let’s get into it. First off, let’s talk tides, because if you don’t plan around them, you might as well be fishing in your bathtub. According to the latest data, if you’re at the Columbia River entrance, the tide is falling right now after a fat high tide that peaked last night around 10:13 p.m. Next low tide is at 3:54 p.m., so this morning is prime time as she drops. Downriver, up by Vancouver, tide predictions show swings around 2.75 feet, so be ready for some change-up water and fish movement—especially if you’re targeting salmon or sturgeon, which like to ride those tidal pulses. Sunrise today is 5:45 a.m., sunset at 9:01 p.m., so pack a headlamp if you’re chasing twilight bites, and don’t forget your rain jacket—fall mornings are brisk. Now, let’s talk weather. It’s classic PNW autumn out there, folks. Cool mornings, a chance of a mist or two, but mostly dry and crisp—perfect fishing weather. Just keep in mind, the National Weather Service reports that each day at low tide, water’s running skinny, so watch those rocky shoals and sandbars, especially if you’re in a boat or wading. Safety first—always. Fish, you ask? The Columbia’s holding strong. Salmon, both chinook and coho, are moving through for their fall run—guides and locals alike are reporting solid catches, especially on the outgoing tide and just after sunrise. The bite’s been best from first light to mid-morning, but don’t sleep on the evening drift—sometimes those big girls like to play hard right before dark. Sturgeon action’s holding steady, too, with a few slot fish and some oversized monsters hauled in—mostly on mellow rips and deep holes. And don’t forget about bass—large and smallmouth are still on the chew, particularly around the rocky points and behind islands where the current slows down. For bait, fresh is best. For salmon, cured eggs, herring strips, and sand shrimp are crushing it—these fish are dialed in to the fat and salt from the ocean, so give them what they want. Sturgeon anglers are doing well with squid, smelt, and herring—just make sure you’re legal with your bait and check the regs. Bass? Bring your plastics—green pumpkin and brown crawdad worms, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits are all working, especially when fished slow along the bottom. Lures? Spoons, spinners, and Wiggle Warts for salmon, especially the bright chrome jobs when the morning sun hits the water. Big, flashy stuff works when the fish are aggressive, but don’t be afraid to switch to a more natural presentation as the morning wears on. For bass, crankbaits and topwater frogs—think early and late when the water’s calm. For sturgeon, a big ol’ gob of bait on a circle hook—set the hook slow, let them do the work. Hot spots, you ask? Multnomah Channel is a sleeper—s This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.