Late Spring on the Columbia: Springers, Walleye, and Bass Below Bonneville

This is Artificial Lure with your Columbia River fishing report for the Portland stretch. We’re sliding into that late-spring pattern now. The river’s running cool but warming, flows still a bit pushy from upstream snowmelt, and the bite has been best when the water steadies out after tide swings. Weather first: local forecasts around Portland are calling for a mild, mostly dry day with morning clouds, highs in the low to mid‑60s, and light west to northwest wind building a bit in the afternoon. That breeze can stack up a chop on the main channel, so smaller boats may want to hug the Washington or Oregon shoreline, especially below I‑5. Sunrise comes around the early 5 o’clock hour with sunset just after 8:30 local time, giving you a long window to work those low‑light periods. Dawn and dusk have been the prime feeding slots for both smallmouth and springers. For tide, Portland’s far enough upriver that we just feel a softened version of the ocean push. Today you’ll see a slow flood overnight into early morning and a gentle ebb through late morning and afternoon. The key is to fish the ends of the swing: first hour of the flood and first hour of the ebb. That’s when the current seams set up cleanly off points and pilings. Now to the fish: Spring Chinook: Reports from local tackle shops along Marine Drive and down toward Troutdale say a steady trickle of springers, not a wide‑open bite but enough to stay interested. Most of the action has been from Government Island down to the mouth of the Willamette, and out toward Caterpillar Island on the Washington side. Trollers are doing best with herring or anchovies behind 360 flashers in 15–25 feet along the travel lanes, with Pro‑Cure herring oil or anise blends helping on the slower days. If you prefer hardware, plug‑cut herring‑pattern Super Baits and 3.5 spinners in greens and chartreuse have been producing a handful of fish each morning for persistent crews. Sturgeon: The oversize show is still decent for catch‑and‑release in the deeper slots. Anglers soaking baits near the I‑5 and railroad bridges report several fish a day, with a mix of shakers and the occasional bruiser. Best baits have been smelt, squid, and sand shrimp on heavy leaders, parked on the edges of 35–60 foot holes where the current softens. Make sure to check current regulations closely before targeting sturgeon; seasons and size rules change frequently. Walleye: As you push upstream toward Camas and further east, the walleye bite is quietly solid. Local river rats drifting worm harnesses on bottom bouncers along the sand breaks are putting nice eaters in the box. Chartreuse and purple blades have been out‑fishing others in slightly stained water. Low‑light or overcast periods have been the ticket; once the sun is high, you’ll need to slow down and stay tight to the bottom. Smallmouth bass: The warm, rocky stretches below Bonneville and along the islands near Reed Island and around Rooster Rock have been kicking out good numbers. Nothing crazy big lately, but plenty of 1–2 pounders. Ned rigs in green pumpkin, small tubes, and 3–4 inch swimbaits slow‑rolled along riprap are getting chewed. As the water warms through the day, switch to moving baits: squarebills and small spinnerbaits ticking the rocks. A couple of local hot spots to consider: 1. Government Island to the mouth of the Willamette: Great all‑around zone. Troll the main‑stem edges for springers at first light, then slide shallower for smallmouth once the sun is up. Work the current breaks off the island points where the tide and river flow collide. 2. Camas Slough and the main river just above it: A strong bet for walleye and smallmouth. Focus on the downstream ends of bars, dragging worm harnesses or slow‑rolling swimbaits. On calm evenings, you can find smallmouth chasing bait tight to the bank. Best overall lures and baits today: – For salmon: plug‑cut herring or anchovies behind 360 flashers, 3.5 Colorado spinners in chartreuse, green, and silver. – For walleye: nightcrawler harnesses, small jigging minnows, and blade baits fished vertically on breaks. – For bass: Ned rigs, tubes, small swimbaits, and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in the afternoon breeze. That’s your Columbia River rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn