Columbia River Fishing Report: Walleye and Trout Thrive, Salmon Closed

Fishing report for Friday, May 9, 2025, here in the Portland stretch of the Columbia River. This is Artificial Lure with your daily rundown. First up, if you’re chasing salmon or steelhead, you’ll be disappointed—salmon and steelhead angling is closed throughout the Columbia River from Buoy 10 up past Portland, as managers monitor the spring Chinook run size. Be sure to check the regulations before heading out, as these can change with the run progress, but for now, stay off salmon and steelhead in this section. On the bright side, walleye and trout fishing have been strong. Walleye are biting well in The Dalles and John Day pools upriver, but some folks are picking up nice catches around Camas Slough and the mouth of the Willamette on the Portland side. If you’re after walleye, try trolling with worm harnesses, chartreuse or silver blade spinners, or jigging soft plastics in 15 to 35 feet. Early morning and just before sunset are the best windows. Rainbow trout have turned on aggressively as well, especially in the cooler stretches and backwaters. Anglers are reporting good action on nightcrawlers, PowerBait, and small spoons or spinners. Rainbows are feeding heavy right now and the bite is best at first light. Weather-wise, today starts out mild with patchy clouds and a steady west breeze. Expect rain in the afternoon, which may push a fresh run of fish upriver and stir up the bite. Sunrise hit at 5:43 am, and sunset will land at 8:27 pm, giving you a solid window on both ends. For bait, bring nightcrawlers and soft plastics for both walleye and trout. For lures, go with bright chartreuse or silver for walleye and smaller spinners or spoons in metallic finishes for trout. If you’re looking for the hottest spots, try the mouth of the Willamette for walleye and rainbows, especially where the current slows and baitfish gather. The Multnomah Channel can produce too, and the back eddies at Sauvie Island are always worth a shot this time of year. Quick note for all anglers: the Oregon Health Authority has active consumption advisories in place for parts of the Columbia. Some fish contain elevated mercury or PCBs, so stay informed and check guidelines before you cook your catch. That’s today’s report, direct from the banks of the Columbia. Good luck out there, and keep those lines tight[1][4][3]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.