Artificial Lure here with your October 20th fishing report for the Columbia River and Portland area. Out the window this morning, we’re greeted by heavy overcast and a classic fall drizzle—so get that rain gear ready. Sunrise hit at 7:45 am and you can expect sunset at 6:16 pm tonight, with the moon slivering down to a waning crescent. It’s authentic Northwest fall: cool, wet, but the fishing is still worth it if you pick your battles.
Let’s talk tides. According to the US Harbors tide charts, the Columbia River entrance saw a low tide near 9:11 am and will hit high tide just after 10 pm. In Portland proper, NOAA’s Morrison Street Bridge gauge shows a moderate tide swing, with highs mid-afternoon and lows in the morning—decent news for those working the bank or the shipping lanes. Remember, that tidal push can trigger the bite, especially near structure and river mouths.
Weather-wise, the National Weather Service has a Hazardous Seas Warning through the morning in the main channel. Out by the bar, swells are finally dropping from a gnarly 18+ feet overnight to about 9 feet by afternoon. Inland, you’re looking at breezy westerly winds calming down after a gusty evening. Best bet: stick to sheltered channels, sloughs, or upstream spots until things mellow. Waders and small craft need to keep an eye on the updates out of Portland and Astoria.
Fish activity right now is picking up with the transition into true fall patterns. The big news on the Columbia is the tail end of the Chinook salmon run—reports from local anglers indicate a few late kings still pushing upstream, mostly landed near the I-205 Bridge and Meldrum Bar. Coho numbers have been decent from Troutdale down to St. Helens, especially on days when river clarity holds after rain. Bass fishing is slowing, but smallmouth are still catchable near rocky points and current seams. Walleye catches remain steady in the deeper holes from Camas to Washougal—with the bite often better just after sunrise or during dusk.
For baits and lures, folks targeting salmon are scoring with chartreuse spinners, metallic blue Mag Lips, and classic plug-cut herring below slip floats. Coho are turning on to smaller Brad’s Wee Warts and rocket red Spin-N-Glos drifted near the bottom. If you’re after sturgeon (check regs), frozen smelt and squid slabs are your go-to along deeper, slower runs. For bass, it’s cold-water go-tos like green pumpkin tubes and small swimbaits jigged slow. Walleye have been eating chartreuse worm harnesses with nightcrawlers and purple blade baits hopped tight to the riverbed.
Top spots today:
- Swan Island Basin and the Willamette mouth are reliable for late coho moving through.
- The stretch between Rooster Rock and Beacon Rock provides solid multi-species action, especially during the outgoing tide.
- Meldrum Bar as always is a community hotspot, particularly for salmon.
Remember to check ODFW for regulation changes—some emergency closures and rules are still in effect for the fall runs.
Thanks for tuning in to your Columbia River report. Don’t forget to layer up, watch the skies, and keep that net handy—fall fishing can surprise you. Be sure to subscribe and stay updated through the season.
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