Slow Springer Bite on the Columbia River but Sturgeon Fishing Looking Up

Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for April 21, 2025. Spring has finally broken through, but salmon action continues to be on the slow side here around Portland. Here’s how things are shaping up today along the river. Sunrise came at 6:14 am and you’ll be fishing until sunset at 8:01 pm. Weather is mild this morning, with temps starting in the low 50s and climbing to the mid-60s by afternoon. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a light breeze from the west. Water levels have been good, but the Willamette is still a bit murky after recent rains. Tides play a big part if you’re fishing closer to the estuary. Low tide at the mouth was just before dawn, with the incoming tide peaking midmorning—often a great window for Chinook on the move. Let’s talk about the bite. The main focus remains spring Chinook, but fishing pressure is high and results are mixed. Reports from April 12 show 690 salmonid boats and 257 bank rods between Rocky Point/Tongue Point and Bonneville Dam. Bank anglers below Bonneville kept 25 Chinook and released seven more, while 8 boats managed to land just two Chinook. In the Vancouver stretch, 26 bank anglers scraped up one Chinook, and 75 boats had a little better luck with 19 Chinook landed and one released. Some steelhead are showing up near Woodland, but numbers are modest. Overall, Chinook are scattered, and most anglers are working hard for their fish[3][5]. There’s some good news: fewer sea lions and less smelt in the system mean salmon fishing could tick up soon. And if you need a break from the tough salmon bite, sturgeon fishing in the lower Willamette is looking up, though it’s catch and release for now[1]. Best lures and bait right now are herring and anchovy (plug-cut or whole) trolled behind a flasher, with most folks sticking to the classic green or chartreuse spinner blades. For bank anglers, a prawn or sand shrimp fished on a spinner rig can draw a bite. Try switching up your leader length if you aren’t finding action. Water clarity still calls for brighter colors, especially if the Willamette stays off-color. Top spots to try today are the bank lines below Bonneville Dam for a shot at springers, or the Portland-Vancouver stretch if you’re boating. Also keep an eye on the mouths of the Willamette and Lewis rivers, especially around Hog Island and Frenchman’s Bar—local guides have reported a few more Chinook here as fish stage before heading upstream. That’s your April 21 Columbia River report. Be patient, keep your baits fresh, and enjoy the spring scenery—when those springers finally move through, it’ll be worth the wait. Good luck out there and tight lines. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.