Columbia River Salmon Fishing Report September 2024: Chinook, Coho, and Crab Bounty in the Estuary

As of September 29, 2024, the Columbia River around the Portland area is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, especially with the fall season in full swing. ### Weather and Tides Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 68°F and a low of 52°F. The sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and the sunset will be at 6:54 PM. Tides are crucial for fishing here; today's high tide is at 9:47 AM, and the low tide is at 3:34 PM. The changing tides, especially around the high slack, have been producing a good bite. ### Fish Activity Fishing below Bonneville Dam was very productive yesterday, with anglers catching a significant number of Chinook and coho salmon. The area around Buoy 10 also saw a good number of coho caught, despite fewer boats on the water. The Gorge has been another hot spot, with a mix of Chinook and coho being caught. ### Catch Reports Yesterday, anglers below Bonneville Dam reported catching their limits early, with many Chinook and coho salmon in the mix. In the Buoy 10 area, there were quite a few coho caught, and crabbing in the same area has been excellent as well. The Hood River area above the bridge was also productive, primarily for Chinook salmon. ### Best Lures and Bait For Chinook salmon, using herring or anchovies as bait, either trolled or cast, has been effective. For coho, small spinners, jigs, or flies are working well. In the Buoy 10 area, trolling with downriggers near the high slack tide has been successful. Additionally, using plugs like the Mag Lip or Kwikfish can attract both Chinook and coho. ### Hot Spots - **Buoy 10 Area**: This area has been producing well, especially during the high slack tide. It's a quick boat ride out of the Hammond Marina and offers a good mix of Chinook and coho. - **Below Bonneville Dam**: This section has seen very good fishing for both Chinook and coho. Anglers have been catching their limits early, making it a highly recommended spot. - **The Gorge**: The Columbia River Gorge has been another productive area, with a mix of salmon species being caught. It's a bit further upstream but worth the trip. Make sure to check the latest fishing regulations, as they can change, and always release wild salmon to help conserve the population. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.