Fishing report 4-11

Fisherman’s Outdoor Report – Week of April 11, 2025 

Winter Steelhead Still Going Strong! 

Winter Steelhead are absolutely still around — in fact, one of our loyal customers brought in a chrome-bright hatchery fish just shy of 17 pounds this week! With water temps on the rise, these late-run Steelhead are becoming much more active and aggressive. Pink worms, jigs, beads, yarnies, and bait are all killer options when driftfishing, sidedrifting, or bobberdogging. 

Boat anglers are also doing well backtrolling a wide variety of plugs — a solid tactic that gives you a real shot at hooking Winters, Summers, and even early Springers right now. 

Spring Chinook Fishing Heating Up 

Spring Chinook action is ramping up fast on the Willamette as the water continues to warm and clear. These fish tend to bite more aggressively with warmer temps, and with favorable weather in the forecast and a strong snowpack, conditions look great moving forward. 

Fishermen trolling in the Portland Harbor and Willamette Channel are already catching fish. Herring and flashers, prawn spinners, and other hard-spinning baits are producing well. It won’t be long before the 360 flasher game really takes off too. 

Columbia River Reopening Notice: 

The Columbia is set to re-open for 6 days over the next two weeks — April 11, 12, 13, and again on April 15, 16, 17. 

This is a rare mid-April opportunity to target Spring Chinook on the Columbia, and it’s shaping up to be some killer fishing. 

Sturgeon Still Snapping on the Lower Willamette 

Catch-and-release Sturgeon fishing remains strong, especially in the lower Willamette. As water temps climb, these fish become more active, feed more aggressively, and put up an even better fight. 

Best baits: Squid, smelt, herring, and shad strips 

Bottomfishing is Rock Solid 

The Oregon Coast bottomfish bite has been excellent. Pro Andy Martin is leading the charge again, treating clients to limit-style bottomfishing with consistent Lingcod limits as well. 

What’s working: Farallon feathers, shrimp flies, and Scampi tails 

Columbia River Walleye Action Improving 

Walleye fishing on the Columbia continues to get better by the week. Several Pro Staffers have been on the bite, including Steve Leonard, who’s been putting up numbers trolling worm harness rigs and bottom walkers in the Columbia River Gorge. 

Lake Merwin Kokanee Heating Up Quietly 

Kokanee fishing at Lake Merwin is steadily improving. As surface temps rise, fish are beginning their slow descent in the water column, often triggering a red-hot bite. 

Productive setups: Trolling wobblers or dodgers paired with Brad’s Kokanee Cutplugs, Simon Hottails, wedding rings, or wiggle hoochies 

Trout Stocking is Full Steam Ahead 

Oregon lakes are getting stocked daily as we move into mid-April. 

📍 Recently stocked waters: 

Best baits: PowerBait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, shrimp, and Berkley Gulp 

Trolling small MagLips or Flatfish is also highly effective for targeting the most aggressive — and often largest — trout. 

Razor Clamming Reopens in Washington 

Razor clam digs return to multiple Washington beaches starting April 12th, with seven straight days of AM digs on the schedule. Time to hit the surf!