Fishing Report – Columbia River
Chinook & Summer Steelhead – Columbia River
Chinook fishing on the Columbia has been hot this past week. Pro Staff anglers have been consistently producing fish on anchor, using Kwikfish, Mag Lips, Brad’s Killerfish, and Flatfish. Plug-wrapping with Sardines or Herring has greatly improved success. Summer Steelhead are starting to show in good numbers too—Pro Josiah Darr has already landed several nice ones. Anglers are catching them on small orange Flatfish, Mag Lips, Wiggle Warts, prawn spinners, coonstripe shrimp, and small Spin-N-Glo’s.
Top techniques: Anchor fishing with wrapped plugs, small diving plugs, prawn spinners, shrimp, Spin-N-Glo’s
Chinook – Willamette River
Spring Chinook are still being caught, especially during early morning or tide changes due to rising water temps. Anglers are reporting consistent bites near the head of the Multnomah Channel. The most productive setups continue to be 360 flashers paired with Spin-N-Fish, Brad’s Superbaits, Spindawgs, and 3.5 spinners.
Top techniques: Trolling 360 flashers with Spin-N-Fish, Superbaits, Spindawgs, 3.5 spinners
Shad – Lower Columbia River & Bonneville
Shad fishing is on fire across the lower Columbia. Boaters anchoring in ~15’ of water are doing great with Dick-Nite spoons, Baby Simon’s, and flicker spinners. Bank anglers, especially near Bonneville, have been filling coolers casting bright curly tail grubs, Dick-Nite spoons, and colored jig heads.
Top techniques: Anchoring with spoons/spinners, casting bright grubs or jigs from shore
Catch & Release Sturgeon – Columbia/Astoria Estuary
The catch-and-release Sturgeon fishery is heating up and Astoria is about to take center stage. This shallow-water fishery is a spectacle, with anglers often seeing fish move in to grab baits. Best results are coming on anchovies, sand shrimp, squid, herring, and smelt—with anchovies and sand shrimp leading the pack.
Top techniques: Shallow water bait fishing with anchovies, sand shrimp, squid, herring
Walleye – Columbia Gorge
Walleye action in the Gorge is excellent. Phil Mattson reports heavy coolers for clients trolling bottom walkers with worm harnesses. The numbers and size of fish here continue to support this fishery's "world class" reputation.
Top techniques: Trolling bottom walkers with worm harnesses
Kokanee – Merwin, Yale, Swift Reservoirs
Kokanee are still biting across all three reservoirs, especially in the early morning before boat traffic picks up. Fishing gets tough once wind and wakes build. The best success is coming from trolling bright-colored hoochies, spin-n-glo’s, spinner blades, and Kokanee Cutplugs, with a rotation of varied scents.
Top techniques: Early morning trolling with hoochies, spin-n-glo’s, Kokanee Cutplugs, and scent rotation
Trout – Statewide Stocked Lakes
Trout fishing is excellent following generous plantings—Lost Creek Reservoir received over 11,000 legal trout, and Detroit Reservoir was stocked with more than 4,000 trophy-sized fish. Early morning casting with small spinners or Kastmasters has been deadly. Bait fishing works best during midday heat, while boaters trolling Mag Lips, Flatfish, or wedding rings tipped with nightcrawlers are finding great success covering water.
Top techniques: Casting spinners/Kastmasters, trolling wedding rings/nightcrawlers, Mag Lips, bait fishing deep