Fishing the Columbia River for Fall Salmon: Weather, Tides, and Hotspots

As of October 24, 2024, the fishing scene on the Columbia River near Portland is looking promising, especially with the fall salmon season in full swing. ### Weather and Tidal Conditions Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 58 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 45 degrees. The sunrise is at 7:38 AM, and the sunset will be at 5:57 PM. Tides are crucial for fishing here; today's low tide is at 9:14 AM, and the high tide is at 3:14 PM. Fishing during the low slack tide has been producing the best results lately. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a good number of salmon caught in various sections of the river. In the Portland to Warrior Rock area, anglers reported catching eight Chinook, four jack Chinook, and 10 coho, with some coho released. ### Types and Amounts of Fish The fall Chinook run has been exceptional this year, with big fish and high numbers. The "B" run Coho are also starting to show up, providing a great opportunity to catch both Chinook and Coho in the same trip. In the Buoy 10 area, anglers caught two Chinook and 32 coho, with 17 coho released. ### Best Lures and Bait For Chinook, using plugs like the Kwikfish or Mag Lip, and bait such as anchovies or herring, has been effective. For Coho, spinners and spoons like the Blue Fox Vibrax or Luhr-Jensen Krocodile are good choices. Hatchery coho must have a healed clipped fin to be retained, so make sure to check your catch carefully. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is the area around Buoy 10, where the river meets the ocean. This area has been producing well for both Chinook and Coho. Another productive spot is above the Astoria-Megler Bridge on the Washington side, where anglers have been catching a good number of fish. ### Additional Tips Fishing in the Hood River area above the bridge has also been very productive, especially for Chinook salmon. Remember to check the local regulations, as they can change frequently, and ensure you are only keeping fin-clipped coho below the Hood River Bridge. With the weather and tidal conditions in your favor, today should be a great day to get out on the water and catch some of these fantastic fall salmon. Good luck This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.