Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your Columbia River Portland area fishing report for Sunday, September 21, 2025.
We kicked off the day at sunrise, 6:27 this morning, with a sharp pre-fall chill in the air, steadily warming under clear skies. High reached into the low 70s—perfect fishing weather and light north winds made for some easy casting along the banks and from the boat. Sunset’s set for 6:39 this evening, so you’ve still got time to wet a line before dark.
The inland tide today set the pace for the bite. Low slack was at 5:27 AM and again at 5:44 PM, with a hefty high tide flooding in just before noon, peaking at 11:40 AM. Tidal swings like these always juice up the fish activity, especially close to high slack, so mid-morning through early afternoon had the runs jumping. Water clarity remains decent, though downstream of Portland you may still deal with a little debris after last week’s wind.
Straight out of the latest reports from The Guide’s Forecast, Portland/Metro has finally hit the main event: fall Chinook are thick from St. Helens clear up to Bonneville. It’s go time—anglers are already cashing in on the best returns we’ve seen in years. Multiple guides call this one of the hottest September bites in over a decade, with the mainstem river absolutely loaded. Cohos are showing as well; we’re just seeing the first solid push in the lower river, so silver fans take note—action’s only going to get better in the weeks ahead.
Today’s catches tell the story:
- At Davis Bar, Lee Richey landed a bright upriver Chinook this morning running a Mexican Hat Spinfish loaded with canned tuna at 30 feet on the wire.
- Further upstream near Warrior Rock, anglers reported double-digit Chinook to the boat before noon, targeting 20-30 foot depths with 360 flashers and cut plug herring.
- The bite slackened in the late afternoon as the low tide settled but picked back up near the evening high.
Best baits and lures right now:
- For Chinook: Chartreuse or green 360 flashers paired with herring or anchovy, or go with a spinner like the Mexican Hat or Simon 3.5 Colorado blade. A little Pro-Cure herring scent doesn’t hurt.
- For coho: Brad’s Super Baits in pink or orange, trolled behind a shortbus flasher, or twitch a ½-ounce marabou jig at the mouth of smaller tributaries. Spinners in size 4 or 5 are also pounding early silvers right now.
Hot spots to hit:
- Davis Bar: Still the Portland metro go-to for Chinook this week.
- The mouth of the Willamette: Cohos starting to stack up—work the tide change for best results.
- Warrior Rock to Frenchman’s Bar: Strong returns and steady catches from both the bank and anchored boats.
If you’re going after sturgeon, most are still catch-and-release, but a few slot fish have been hooked below Bonneville on smelt baits around the high tide. Bass and walleye activity has slowed a touch due to the cooling water, but a blade bait or crayfish trap along rocky drop-offs still produces if you’re patient.
One word to the wise: there was a Small Craft Advisory in effect this morning due to 7-foot seas at the Columbia Bar, so if you’re headed to the estuary—exercise some caution.
That’s all for today, anglers. Thanks for tuning in to the Columbia River report. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hot bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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