Columbia River Winter Fishing: Sturgeon, Steelhead, and Salmon Opportunities

Today, January 19, 2025, the Columbia River around Portland is offering some exciting fishing opportunities despite the chilly winter weather. ### Tidal and Weather Conditions The tide times for Point Adams, a key spot on the Columbia River, are as follows: high tide at 4:37 AM with a height of 8.07 feet, low tide at 10:36 AM with a height of 2.69 feet, another high tide at 4:28 PM with a height of 6.9 feet, and a low tide at 10:27 PM with a height of 1.76 feet. Sunrise is at 7:51 AM and sunset is at 5:02 PM. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with mild winds, making it a decent day for fishing. ### Fish Activity Recently, the sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River Gorge was excellent, but unfortunately, the fishery in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools was closed after just one day due to high catch rates. However, catch-and-release sturgeon trips are still available and can be quite action-packed. For other species, winter steelhead are starting to appear in the Lower Columbia River, offering some opportunities for beach fishing. Salmon fishing, although spotty near Portland, has seen some activity in the Hood River area, with a mix of Chinook and coho being caught. ### Best Lures and Bait For steelhead, using spinners and jigs can be effective. For salmon, spinners and spinfish have been bringing in strikes, especially when fishing upstream in the Columbia River Gorge below Bonneville Dam. ### Hot Spots One of the best spots right now is the Hood River area, where you can catch a mix of Chinook and coho salmon. Another good spot is around Chinook Landing, where you can fish upstream in the Columbia River Gorge. For those targeting steelhead, the beaches in the Lower Columbia River are worth a try. ### Recent Catches Yesterday, there were reports of good sturgeon catches before the fishery closure, and some anglers managed to land their keepers. For salmon, the fishing has been a bit spotty, but there are still some Chinook and coho being caught, especially in the Hood River area. If you're planning to head out today, make sure to check the latest fishing regulations and consider a guided trip to maximize your chances of a successful day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.