"Late Fall Fishing on the Columbia: Salmon, Walleye, and Sturgeon Still Biting"

As of November 15, 2024, the fishing scene on the Columbia River near Portland is wrapping up its fall season, but there are still some opportunities to be had. **Weather and Tides:** Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with a high of around 52 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 43 degrees. The sunrise is at 7:00 AM, and the sunset will be at 4:30 PM. Tides are moderate, with a high tide at 9:30 AM and a low tide at 3:30 PM, which can influence fish activity. **Fish Activity:** The fall salmon season is winding down, but there are still some salmon and other species active in the river. Yesterday, in the Bonneville Pool area, anglers reported catching a few Chinook and coho salmon. Specifically, two Chinook, 41 coho, and one jack coho were kept, along with five coho released for 18 boats[2]. **Best Spots:** The Hood River area above the bridge has been productive for Chinook salmon, and the area below Bonneville Dam has seen good fishing for both Chinook and coho. Another hot spot is the Buoy 10 area, where coho salmon are still being caught, although in smaller numbers[1][2]. **Best Lures and Bait:** For salmon, trolling with herring close to the bottom is a good strategy. Using barbless hooks is mandatory on the Columbia River. For coho, especially in the Buoy 10 area, using small spinners or spoons can be effective. If you're targeting sturgeon, which are currently catch-and-release only below Bonneville Dam, using smelt or anchovies on the bottom can yield results[1][2]. **Other Species:** While the focus is on salmon, there are also walleye and sturgeon in the river. In the John Day Pool, walleye fishing has been decent, with 22 walleye kept and five released for 11 boats[2]. Overall, the fishing on the Columbia River near Portland is a bit spotty as the fall season comes to a close, but with the right gear and knowledge of the hot spots, you can still have a successful day on the water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.