Reel in the Holidays: Columbia River Angling on Christmas Eve

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here, your go-to guy for all things angling on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's Christmas Eve mornin', and we're lookin' at a solid day to wet a line despite the winter chill. Sunrise hits at 7:17 AM, sunset at 5:40 PM per Tide-Forecast.com, givin' us about 10 hours of light—perfect for targetin' those holdover fish. Tides are playin' nice today: high at 2:17 AM reachin' 1.02 feet, droppin' to low around 2:21 PM at 0.3 feet, then buildin' back up, says Tide-Forecast.com for Portland. Fish the outgoing tide mid-mornin' when bait gets flushed—currents near the Morrison Street Bridge are prime, with tides there mirrorin' at about 1.96 feet high. Weather's typical December: overcast, highs in the low 40s, light winds from the southwest—bundle up, but no blowin' gale to kill the bite. Fish activity's steady on salmon and steelhead smolts pushin' through, though returns are hoverin' at 2.3 million adults over the last decade, up from the '90s lows, accordin' to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Sturgeon are active too, with whites hangin' in deeper holes; recent reports show decent catches of 4-6 footers. Walleye and bass are predatin' heavy, so expect incidental hookups, but steelhead are the stars—folks pullin' a few bright ones last week near the mouths. For lures, stick to **glow spoons** like Gibbs or Coyote in chartreuse for steelhead in low light, or **jigs with marabou** tipped with shrimp scent. Best bait? Sand shrimp or cured roe sacs—irresistible this time of year. Troll slow at 1.5 mph in 20-40 feet. Hot spots: Hit the **Multnomah Channel** near Sauvie Island for sturgeon—easy access, less current. Or drop lines at **Tongue Point** for mixed bag action, where tides swing hard. Stay safe out there, watch for logs, and merry fishin'! Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.