Late Season Columbia River Fishing Still Promising Despite Cool Weather

Today, December 27, 2024, the Columbia River around Portland is offering some promising fishing conditions despite the late season. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect: ### Tidal Report As of today, the tide times for the Columbia River entrance are as follows: Low tide at 3:06 AM with a height of 4.08 ft, high tide at 9:24 AM with a height of 7.92 ft, low tide at 4:30 PM with a height of 0.51 ft, and high tide at 11:19 PM with a height of 6.09 ft[2]. ### Weather and Daylight The sunrise is at 7:58 AM and sunset is at 4:36 PM, giving you a decent window for daytime fishing. The weather is expected to be cool and possibly overcast, typical for this time of year. ### Fish Activity While the peak salmon season has passed, there are still some fish to be found. Recent reports indicate that there are still Chinook and coho salmon, as well as some steelhead and sturgeon, in the river. Yesterday, fishing below Bonneville Dam was productive for Chinook and jacks, with many anglers reporting early limits[1]. ### Best Lures and Bait For salmon, using herring or anchovies as bait is highly effective. Lures such as spin-n-glo or Kwikfish can also work well. For sturgeon, a favorite among locals is using nightcrawlers or smelt. Steelhead can be caught using small jigs or flies. ### Hot Spots - **Below Bonneville Dam**: This area has been very productive for Chinook and jacks. The strong currents here make it a prime spot for salmon. - **Hood River Area**: Above the Hood River Bridge, you can keep wild coho, and this area has seen good catches of Chinook and coho recently. - **Davis Bar**: Located near Vancouver, this spot has seen success with spring salmon earlier in the year and can still yield some late-season fish. Given the tidal conditions and recent fish activity, today should be a good day to get out on the water. Make sure to check the latest fishing regulations and enjoy the late-season fishing on the Columbia River. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.