Columbia River Fishing Report: Walleye, Sturgeon, and Salmon Opportunities Abound

Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing in and around the Columbia River, particularly in the Portland area. Today, February 7, 2025, promises to be an exciting day on the water, so let's dive into the details. ### Tidal Report and Weather First off, let's check the tides. According to the tide forecast for the Columbia River entrance at the North Jetty, today we have a low tide at 00:51 AM with a height of 4.08 feet, followed by a high tide at 7:21 AM reaching 8.08 feet. The next low tide is at 2:52 PM with a height of just 0.54 feet, and the final high tide of the day is at 9:35 PM with a height of 5.66 feet[2]. The weather is looking relatively calm, with mild temperatures and light winds, making it an ideal day to be out on the water. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset is at 5:30 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to catch some fish. ### Fish Activity Recently, the fishing in the Columbia River has been quite active. For those targeting walleye, the Rufus and Boardman areas have been producing healthy numbers. We've been trolling in likely walleye-holding areas and then switching to jigging once we locate a productive school[1]. Sturgeon fishing, although currently closed for keeper sturgeon due to quota limits, is still an option for catch-and-release. The sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River Gorge was excellent on New Year's Day, but the fishery was closed shortly after due to high catch rates[1]. Salmon fishing has also been good, especially in the Hood River area and below Bonneville Dam. There are still plenty of Chinook and coho salmon in the river, with some days being more productive than others. The extension of the salmon fisheries through October last year saw many anglers catching their limits, and we expect similar activity this year[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For sturgeon, your best bets are smelt, herring, anchovies, squid, and sand shrimp. If you're targeting oversize sturgeon in the summer, a full shad is hard to beat[3]. For coho salmon, herring, anchovies, and prawns are excellent choices. Closer to the ocean, herring and anchovies work well, while further upriver, prawn and salmon egg baits are more effective. Don't overlook in-line spinners, which can be very effective for coho[3]. For Chinook salmon, herring and salmon roe are top choices. Herring works well from Astoria to Portland, while salmon roe is more effective in the upper parts of the rivers and tributaries. The 360 flasher 3.5 spinner combo is also highly recommended[3]. ### Hot Spots If you're looking for some hot spots, consider the Hood River area above the bridge for Chinook and coho salmon. This area has been very productive, especially for Chinook. Another great spot is below Bonneville Dam, where you can find a mix of Chinook and coho salmon[1]. For walleye, head up to the Rufus and Boardman areas. Trolling and jigging in these areas have been yielding good results. If you're after sturgeon, This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.