"Winter Fishing on the Columbia River: Sturgeon, Walleye, and Late-Run Steelhead near Portland"

As of December 26, 2024, the fishing scene on the Columbia River, particularly around the Portland area, is quite different from the peak salmon seasons earlier in the year. Here’s a local’s perspective on what you can expect today: ### Tidal Report Today, the high tide at Hammond, Columbia River, is at 9:10 AM with a height of 2.57 meters (8.45 feet), and the low tide is at 4:17 PM with a height of 0.29 meters (0.95 feet). The next high tide will be at 10:47 PM[2]. ### Weather and Daylight Sunrise is at 7:57 AM, and sunset is at 4:35 PM. Given the winter season, the weather is likely to be cool and possibly rainy, typical for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest. ### Fish Activity While the salmon season has ended, other species are still active. This time of year, you can expect to catch sturgeon, walleye, and possibly some late-run steelhead. The fish activity is generally slower compared to the peak salmon seasons, but there are still opportunities for a good catch. ### Catches Yesterday Reports from the previous day indicate that sturgeon fishing has been decent, with some anglers catching keeper-sized fish. Walleye have also been active, particularly in the deeper holes of the river. ### Best Lures and Bait For sturgeon, using smelt, anchovies, or even nightcrawlers can be effective. For walleye, try using spinners or jigs tipped with bait like nightcrawlers or minnows. Steelhead, if present, can be caught using smaller spinners or flies. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is the area below Bonneville Dam, where sturgeon and walleye tend to congregate. Another good spot is the Columbia River Gorge, particularly around the areas where the river narrows and speeds up, which can attract steelhead and other species. Overall, while the fishing is not as frenetic as during the salmon runs, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch some great fish on the Columbia River around Portland. Just be prepared for the cooler winter weather and adjust your tactics accordingly. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.