Spring Bite Heats Up on the Columbia River Today

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things rod and reel on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's early morning on April 8, 2026, and the bite's heating up as spring kicks in. Sunrise hits at 6:25 AM, sunset around 7:50 PM—plenty of daylight to chase those fish. Weather's looking mild: partly cloudy, highs in the low 60s, light winds from the west, perfect for casting without getting blown off the bank. Tides are running strong today; high incoming around 10 AM near the mouth, slack low at 4 PM—fish the moving water for best action. Fish activity's solid right now. Locals report steelhead still pushing upriver, with spring Chinook showing early—limits of 5-10 pounders hauled in last few days from the lower stretches. Sturgeon are stacking up in the deep holes, and walleye are active on the flats. Cutthroat trout hitting in the tributaries too. Catches from recent reports: 20+ steelhead days near Bonneville Dam, a handful of keeper sturgeon overslot at 48 inches, and walleye up to 8 pounds. Best lures? Go with **floating jig heads** in red/black—those big 1-oz models vibrate like crazy in the current, drawing strikes from walleye and steelhead. Pair 'em with **Threadfin shad imitators** or **Kwikfish divers**. For bait, fresh roe clusters or sand shrimp on a circle hook can't be beat—works wonders on Chinook and sturgeon. Hot spots: Hit the **Washougal River mouth** for steelhead on the incoming tide, or **Ryan Island** shallows for walleye jigging. Launch from Frenchman’s Bar if you're bank-bound. Stay safe out there—river's flowing fast. Tight lines! Thanks for tuning in, folks—subscribe for daily updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn