Columbia River Fishing Report for 2026 (Frequent Updates)

This Columbia River fishing report is updated regularly based on real guided fishing trips throughout Portland, St. Helens, the lower Columbia River, the Columbia River Gorge, Astoria, and the Willamette River system. I’m actively on the water whenever salmon seasons are open, and I update this page with current fishing conditions, salmon movement, productive areas, river changes, and regulation updates as they happen.

If you’re looking for the latest Columbia River salmon fishing report, this page reflects what’s happening right now from my actual guide trips and trusted fishing reports from the river.

Current Focus: Columbia River spring Chinook fishing near Portland, St. Helens, and the lower Willamette River.

Want to fish? Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087, or book your Columbia River fishing trip here.

Latest Columbia River Fishing Report

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Another exciting update for Columbia River spring Chinook anglers — Oregon and Washington fisheries managers have added a few more open days after updated run numbers came in better than expected.

The Columbia River will reopen for spring Chinook fishing from Thursday, May 14 through Saturday, May 16 below Bonneville Dam. Fish managers reopened the fishery after seeing improved spring Chinook returns moving through the system.

The last several open days showed noticeably better fishing from the St. Helens area up through Portland, with more fish being caught throughout the river system. There are definitely more salmon around now than there were a couple weeks ago, and things finally feel like they are starting to build.

I’ll continue fishing both the Columbia River and lower Willamette River depending on where conditions and fish movement look best. With these added fishing days and improving catches, now is a very good time to get on the water while the season remains open.

I still have a few openings available for upcoming salmon fishing trips. Call or text me at 503-314-5087 if you’d like to get in on the action while these extra days are available.

Book a Columbia River salmon fishing trip

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Exciting update for this Columbia River fishing report — Oregon and Washington fisheries managers opened another short Columbia River salmon opportunity after improved spring Chinook numbers.

The last few open days showed very good salmon fishing, with strong action from the St. Helens area up to Portland. Salmon are moving through the system, and conditions are shaping up well for this short opportunity.

I’ll be fishing the Portland area and taking full advantage of the opener. After that, we’ll shift back over to the lower Willamette River, which has also been producing salmon, especially in the lower stretches and around Oregon City.

With salmon in the system and limited open days, timing is everything right now.

I have openings coming up for salmon fishing trips. If you’re looking to get on the water while the salmon bite is strong, now is a great time to get something scheduled.

Book a Columbia River salmon fishing guide

Monday, March 30, 2026

Salmon fishing on the Columbia River near Portland was still on the slow side, which is typical for early spring conditions. A few fish were caught throughout the day, but overall action remained limited as the run was just getting started.

Better reports were coming from the lower river, especially around Kalama, where anglers were seeing more consistent success and a noticeable uptick in salmon being caught.

On the Willamette River, particularly near St. Johns, fishing was spotty with a few fish picked up here and there. Like the Columbia, it was still early, but signs were pointing in the right direction.

As we moved into April, fishing conditions were expected to improve with more consistent action throughout the system.

Book your spring Chinook salmon fishing trip

Columbia River Fishing Trips with Marvin’s Guide Service

Marvin’s Guide Service offers guided Columbia River fishing trips for salmon, sturgeon, walleye, and seasonal fisheries throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Depending on the time of year, I guide trips near Portland, St. Helens, Astoria, Buoy 10, the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, The Dalles, Rufus, and other productive areas of the Columbia River system.

Fishing changes quickly on the Columbia River. Salmon can move fast, river conditions can change overnight, and seasons are often adjusted by Oregon and Washington fishery managers. That’s why I keep this page updated with real reports from the water.

For trip availability, call or text 503-314-5087 or visit my trip inquiry page.

Helpful Columbia River Fishing Pages

If you’re planning a fishing trip on the Columbia River, these pages may help you learn more about the areas and seasons I fish:

Previous Columbia River Fishing Reports

The older reports below are kept on this page so anglers can look back at past Columbia River fishing seasons. These reports help show how the river fishes during different times of year, including spring Chinook, summer salmon, Buoy 10, fall Chinook, coho, sturgeon, walleye, and crabbing seasons.

Fall 2025 Columbia River Salmon Report Summary

Coho fishing held up well in the Portland area around Troutdale, and there were also reports of coho caught around St. Helens. Chinook were still moving through the system, but regulations required release during certain parts of the fall season.

As October weather arrived, the better salmon fishing began shifting upriver toward Hood River and The Dalles. This is common during fall as fish move through the Columbia River Gorge and continue toward upriver tributaries.

The Columbia River reopened for hatchery coho salmon fishing in early October and was scheduled to remain open for the rest of the year. The limit was two fin-clipped coho, while anglers had to release Chinook and steelhead during certain parts of the season depending on the rules in place.

Summer 2025 Astoria, Buoy 10, and Lower Columbia Report Summary

During July, Chinook fishing was extended in the mainstem Columbia River from the Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream, giving anglers more opportunity before the peak Buoy 10 season. This created a great option for anglers fishing out of the Astoria and Hammond area.

Ocean salmon fishing offshore from Astoria was excellent when the Columbia River bar allowed safe crossing. Coho were the main fish, with many running 7 to 10 pounds, and a few Chinook were mixed in.

Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing in the lower Columbia River was also very good during this period. As summer progressed, I transitioned from oversized sturgeon and walleye trips in the Columbia River Gorge down toward Hammond and Astoria for ocean salmon and Buoy 10 fishing.

For more information about this fishery, visit my Buoy 10 salmon fishing page.

Spring 2025 Columbia River Spring Chinook Report Summary

Spring Chinook fishing started slow on the Columbia River, which is common early in the season. Scattered springers were caught near Portland, Bonneville, Multnomah Channel, and the lower Willamette River, but the bite took time to build.

By April, fishery managers added more open days after reviewing the run and catch numbers. The lower Columbia reopened for additional spring Chinook fishing days from Buoy 10 up toward Beacon Rock, with bank opportunities extending farther upriver below Bonneville Dam.

Some of the better action came from the Davis Bar area, the head of Multnomah Channel, the lower Willamette River, and sections of the Columbia River around Portland. As conditions improved, spring Chinook fishing finally started to pick up.

Winter 2025 Columbia River Walleye and Sturgeon Report Summary

Winter fishing focused heavily on Columbia River walleye in the Rufus and Boardman areas. The fishing was cold at times, and wind was always a factor in the Gorge, but walleye trips produced healthy numbers of fish when conditions allowed.

We spent time trolling productive walleye areas and switching to jigging once we located schools. These winter Columbia River walleye trips are a great option for anglers looking for good-eating fish during the colder months.

Sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River Gorge was also excellent around New Year’s Day. Keeper sturgeon fishing was very productive, and the quota was reached quickly in some areas. Catch-and-release sturgeon trips remained a great option after keeper opportunities closed.

Learn more about keeper and catch-and-release sturgeon opportunities on my Columbia River sturgeon season page.

Fall 2024 Columbia River Salmon Report Summary

The fall 2024 Columbia River salmon season had strong fishing in several areas, including Hood River, Bonneville, Scappoose, St. Helens, and the lower Columbia. Oregon and Washington fishery managers extended multiple salmon opportunities during September and October.

Anglers saw a mix of Chinook and coho throughout the river, with strong numbers of fish moving upriver. Some areas allowed retention of Chinook during extended seasons, while coho rules varied by location and hatchery marking requirements.

Fishing near Portland was spotty at times, but the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River areas were productive as salmon pushed upriver. This was a good example of how Columbia River fishing can shift quickly from the lower river to the Gorge as fall progresses.

Fall 2023 Columbia River Salmon Report Summary

Fall 2023 produced some very good Columbia River salmon fishing, especially in the Portland area, below Bonneville Dam, and around Hood River. We caught a mix of Chinook and coho, with some days producing fast action and early limits.

Fishing near Hood River was especially strong in October, with lots of salmon jumping and good numbers of Chinook and coho moving through. We also saw productive fishing below Bonneville Dam and around the Portland area when conditions lined up.

Late September and early October were some of the best stretches, with clients putting salmon in the boat and steady reports of fish moving throughout the system.

Columbia River Fishing Seasons

The Columbia River offers different fishing opportunities throughout the year. Seasons and regulations can change, but this is a general idea of what anglers can expect:

Spring: Spring Chinook salmon near Portland, St. Helens, Bonneville, and the lower Willamette River.
Summer: Sturgeon, walleye, summer salmon, and early ocean salmon near Astoria.
August: Buoy 10 salmon fishing near Astoria, Hammond, and the mouth of the Columbia River.
Fall: Chinook and coho salmon near Portland, Bonneville, Hood River, and The Dalles.
Winter: Columbia River walleye and sturgeon opportunities, depending on conditions and regulations.

Columbia River Fishing Report FAQ

How often is this Columbia River fishing report updated?

This report is updated whenever I have fresh information from guided fishing trips, regulation changes, fish movement, or major changes in Columbia River fishing conditions.

Where is the best salmon fishing near Portland?

The best salmon fishing near Portland changes with the season, river conditions, and fish movement. Common areas include the Columbia River near Portland, St. Helens, Troutdale, Bonneville, and the lower Willamette River.

When is the best time to fish the Columbia River?

The Columbia River has fishing opportunities throughout the year. Spring is known for spring Chinook, summer brings sturgeon, walleye, and ocean salmon opportunities, August is famous for Buoy 10 salmon, and fall can produce strong Chinook and coho fishing upriver.