Fishing Report: 7/18/25

Fishing Report: 7/18/25

Columbia River – Chinook, Steelhead & Sockeye 

Chinook fishing on the Columbia resumed this past week and anglers have been finding some solid success. Anchor fishing with MagLips, Kwikfish, Flatfish, or hard spinning baits has been working well on the outgoing tides. On the slack and incoming tides, most anglers are switching over to trolling 360 flashers with small spinners.
Superbaits, cut plugs, Spindawgs, and Spin-n-Fish have all been producing. On anchor, you never know what might grab your rod this time of year—Summer Steelhead are entering the Columbia daily, and Sockeye are still being caught regularly. 

Best Techniques:
MagLips, Kwikfish, Flatfish, hard spinning baits, 360 flashers with small spinners, Superbaits, cut plugs, Spindawgs, Spin-n-Fish 

 

Ocean Salmon – Astoria 

Out of Astoria, Pro Guide Brandon Glass has been finding great Salmon fishing when conditions allow safe crossings over the bar. Most days the ticket has been trolling divers or lead with Spin-n-Fish. This fishery will continue to get better as we approach August. Coho are adding about a pound per week, and more Chinook are showing up in the catch daily.
When heading out, it’s a good idea to bring multiple bait options, whether it’s fresh herring, anchovies, or hard baits like Spin-n-Fish, Spindawgs, Superbaits, or super cut plugs. 

Best Techniques:
Trolling divers or lead with Spin-n-Fish, herring, anchovies, Spindawgs, Superbaits, super cut plugs 

 

Summer Steelhead 

Summer Steelhead fishing has been fairly steady. Pro Guide Brian Campbell has been consistently putting limits in the boat for his clients. Bobber-dogging eggs has been the ticket to his success. Other anglers have been doing well backtrolling small MagLips or using divers with coon-stripe shrimp.
This fishery should stay good for several more months, and as Salmon seasons ramp up in August, the angling pressure will likely ease up. 

Best Techniques:
Bobber-dogging eggs, backtrolling small MagLips, divers with coon-stripe shrimp 

 

Columbia River – Catch & Release Sturgeon 

The catch and release Sturgeon fishery has been on fire lately. While you can’t keep these fish, reeling in dozens of oversized Sturgeon creates memories that last longer than any fillet. Anglers are doing well using squid, herring, sandshrimp, smelt, and anchovies. 

Best Techniques:
Squid, herring, sandshrimp, smelt, anchovies 

 

Columbia River Gorge – Walleye 

Walleye fishing continues to be a great option for anglers heading up the gorge. Pro Guide Steve Leonard has been putting clients on dozens of fish per day, often picking up a mix of species. The go-to setup remains trolling bottom walkers with worm harness rigs. 

Best Techniques:
Bottom walkers with worm harness rigs 

 

Trout – Local Lakes 

ODFW continues to stock local lakes, with Harriet Lake, North Fork Reservoir, and Faraday Lake all receiving legal trout plants last week—some with over 2,000 fish!
Early mornings are a great time to be on the water. Casting spinners or Kastmasters is a solid option for anglers looking for an interactive approach. For a more relaxed method, try plunking nightcrawlers or Berkley PowerBait off the bottom. Boat anglers will do well trolling MagLips, Flatfish, Wedding Rings, and Hot Tails, especially near deep water drop-offs and ledges where trout like to ambush prey. 

Best Techniques:
Spinners, Kastmasters, nightcrawlers, Berkley PowerBait, MagLips, Flatfish, Wedding Rings, Hot Tails