Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River fishing report for Portland, Saturday September 27, 2025.
It’s a crisp, early fall morning along the Columbia, with sunrise at 7:20am and sunset at 7:19pm. Tides today in Portland show a high at 5:59am—just before first light—and a low at 4:17pm. Over at the Columbia River entrance, expect a high tide at 5:04am and again around 3:52pm, with the lowest at 10:50pm. This sets up perfect water movement for morning bites, especially near the river’s mouth and downstream stretches.
Weather’s cooperating, with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and temps hovering in the low 50s at dawn, warming into the upper 60s by afternoon. Water temps have dropped just enough to get those big Chinook motivated, and the dropping barometric pressure always seems to spark more action.
Due to current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations, much of the Columbia mainstem near Portland is closed to salmon fishing till October 1. Most folks are targeting tribs or heading west to tidewater. Recent action on the Chinook front has been intense near St. Helens downriver, with fall kings pushing upriver hard. Buzz Ramsey and the Addicted Fishing crew reported blistering Chinook bites last week using chartreuse spinners and cut plug herring—classic choices during fall migration.
For coho, numbers remain well below last year in the Willamette and Columbia systems, but an early push of fat silvers is moving on the tides, especially at lower river spots. Drano Lake is still pumping out consistent coho and Chinook limits if you’re up for the drive. Kokanee anglers are finding better numbers in Yale Lake than Merwin. Meanwhile, Merwin and Yale Lakes are great options for steady kokanee and trout action.
With most salmon fishing closed upriver, targeting warmwater species like walleye and bass inside the Portland metro stretch has been productive. Nightcrawlers, tube jigs, and perch-pattern crankbaits are all getting bites on the channel edges and rocky points. The ongoing low, clear flows are ideal for finesse presentations. Lingcod are still being picked at the river mouth, mostly with white swimbaits and cut bait near structure.
Trout remain active, with Foster Res just recently stocked and central Oregon lakes showing strong fall patterns. Do check current ODFW regulations for up-to-date openings – closures to protect threatened coho salmon, like in Eagle Creek on the Clackamas, are now in effect until Halloween. If you see illegal snagging or want to report wildlife crime, that TIP line is active and appreciated by locals.
Hot spots:
– The mouth of the Willamette, especially around Sauvie Island, for bass and the stray Chinook holding over.
– Warrior Rock down to St. Helens, when it reopens, should be loaded with migrating kings.
– Multnomah Channel for consistent bass and perch bites.
Best lures:
– For fall Chinook: Chartreuse spinners, cut plug herring, and maglip plugs in finfish and chrome patterns.
– For coho: Bright pink or orange spinners, small Brad’s Cut Plugs behind a short leader.
– For bass: Craw and perch-color cranks, small soft plastics, or live worms.
Bait tip: If you want to double your chances, pack both eggs and cut herring. Add scent for better results as water temps cool.
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