Columbia River Fishing Report

This Columbia River fishing report shares my firsthand observations from fishing trips with Marvin’s Guide Service, along with clearly identified reports from other anglers. I fish the Columbia River near Portland, Troutdale, St. Helens, Astoria, Buoy 10, and the Columbia River Gorge, including The Dalles, Rufus, and below John Day Dam. I also guide on the nearby Willamette River.

Latest update: October 6, 2026. My latest trips were October 1–2 for coho near Troutdale and October 5 for sturgeon below The Dalles Dam. Portland-area coho fishing was slow on my two trips, while sturgeon fishing at The Dalles produced plenty of action.

Want to fish? Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087, or send a Columbia River fishing trip inquiry.

Latest Columbia River Fishing Report

Monday, October 5, 2026: Productive Sturgeon Fishing Below The Dalles Dam

After taking Saturday and Sunday off, I headed up to The Dalles, Oregon, for something I had not done in a while: sturgeon fishing on the Columbia River below The Dalles Dam.

The fishing was productive, with lots of four- and five-foot sturgeon and plenty of smaller fish, often called shakers. There was plenty of action throughout the trip. These catch-and-release trips are a great option for anglers who want to spend a day fishing the Columbia River Gorge.

For anglers asking about sturgeon fishing near The Dalles, this was an encouraging trip. Conditions can change with the current and weather, but my October 5 trip produced much more action than my two recent Portland-area coho trips.

Thursday and Friday, October 1–2, 2026: Portland-Area Coho Fishing Near Troutdale

On Thursday and Friday, I launched from Smith Landing in Troutdale and fished the Columbia River near the mouth of the Sandy River. We stayed on the Columbia mainstem, rather than fishing in the Sandy River itself.

Thursday was pretty slow. We caught a couple of small Chinook jacks and released them. I saw a few fish caught by other anglers, but overall I was disappointed with the amount of action.

I went back on Friday, and the fishing was much the same. We saw Chinook being caught, but Chinook retention was closed in this section, so those fish had to be released. I also saw a couple of coho caught and kept. There were fish around, but the bite was not especially exciting on either day.

That is my firsthand report from these two trips. I am hopeful that more coho moving upriver will improve the fishing, but my October 1–2 experience was slow.

October 5, 2026: A Friend’s Buoy 10 Coho Report

A friend fishing the Buoy 10 area reported catching 16 coho on October 5, with very little fishing pressure in the area. This is a report shared with me, rather than a trip I personally fished. The number describes fish caught, not a stated number kept.

It is encouraging to hear that coho are still being caught in the lower Columbia River. I believe more coho are coming upriver, and I am watching for the later B-run fish to reach the Portland area. I am hopeful we will see better action as those fish move through, although the timing and strength of the bite remain to be seen.

My guided Buoy 10 season has wrapped up for 2026. You can read my season reports on the Buoy 10 fishing report page and contact me about booking next year’s season.

Columbia River Salmon and Sturgeon Regulations

Rules checked October 6, 2026. These rules apply to the specified sections of the Columbia River mainstem. They do not describe the Sandy River or other tributaries.

Portland and Troutdale: Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line upstream to Bonneville Dam: Through October 15, the daily adult limit is two coho, and either hatchery or wild coho may be retained. All Chinook and steelhead must be released. From October 16–31, the daily adult limit is two hatchery coho; wild coho, Chinook, and steelhead must be released.
West Puget Island upstream to the Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line: Through October 15, the daily adult limit is two coho, with hatchery or wild coho retention allowed. From October 16–31, the daily adult limit is two hatchery coho. All Chinook and steelhead must be released during these periods.
Buoy 10 upstream to the west Puget Island line: Through October 31, the daily adult limit is three hatchery coho. All wild coho, Chinook, and steelhead must be released.
Sturgeon: Retention is closed in the Columbia mainstem and reservoirs from Buoy 10 to McNary Dam. Catch-and-release opportunities are available subject to area restrictions and permanent regulations.

The Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island boundary runs from the Warrior Rock lighthouse on the Oregon shore to the marker atop the piling dolphin at the downstream end of Bachelor Island on the Washington shore. ODFW’s regulation page includes boundary maps and the exact west Puget Island line.

Check the official ODFW regulation updates before fishing. Rules differ by river section and can change during the season.

October Fishing Opportunities and Outlook

Portland-area coho: My October 1–2 trips near Troutdale were slow, with a few coho caught by other anglers. I am watching for more fish to move upriver.
The Dalles sturgeon: My October 5 catch-and-release trip below The Dalles Dam produced lots of four- and five-foot fish and smaller sturgeon.
Lower Columbia coho: A friend reported catching 16 coho near Buoy 10 on October 5. That secondhand report suggests there are still fish moving through the lower river.
Astoria crabbing: I am booking fall crabbing trips from Hammond Marina aboard my covered and heated boat. Visit my Oregon Coast crabbing page for trip details and my crabbing report for dated observations.
Walleye: Columbia River walleye trips are available when seasonal conditions, wind, and current are favorable. Contact me to discuss dates.

Wind, current, tides, fish movement, and regulations help determine where we fish. Call or text 503-314-5087 to discuss which trip fits your dates, or check available fishing dates online.

Columbia River Guided Fishing Trips

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

With more than 27 years of professional guiding experience and 240 trips guided in 2025, I know how fast this river can change. Some days the best fishing is near Portland. Other times we shift to the Columbia River Gorge, Astoria, Buoy 10, or the lower Columbia River depending on the season, regulations, and fish movement.

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 Columbia River fishing trip, these pages can help you learn more about the areas and seasons I fish:

Previous Columbia River Fishing Reports

The archived reports below describe earlier trips and seasons. Any regulations or openings mentioned are historical and should not be used as current fishing rules.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Buoy 10 Coho Fishing

We left Hammond Marina and started fishing near Buoy 20 around low tide. The bite was slow at first, so when the incoming tide began moving, we headed down toward Buoy 10.

Once we reached Buoy 10, it turned into another coho rodeo. Coho were spread throughout the lower Columbia River, and the fishing improved quickly. The fish we were catching averaged approximately 8 to 12 pounds.

We also hooked and released Chinook salmon. Chinook retention was closed in the Buoy 10 area on the day of this trip.

More coho were moving into the river with the tides. At the time of this report, I expected hatchery coho fishing near Buoy 10, Hammond, Astoria, and above the Astoria-Megler Bridge to continue improving.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Over the previous two weeks on the Columbia River, I guided clients for both oversized sturgeon and walleye, and the fishing was excellent.

Catch-and-release oversized sturgeon fishing was awesome in the Columbia River Gorge. We fished near The Dalles and below John Day Dam, targeting giant sturgeon between 7 and 10 feet long. These are the kind of fish that make memories for a lifetime.

For bait, we used shad and squid, and both produced fish. When the bite is on, this is some of the most exciting freshwater fishing you can experience anywhere in Oregon or Washington.

Walleye fishing below John Day Dam was also consistent. On walleye days, we trolled worm harnesses with spinner blades and jigged when the current and wind conditions set up correctly. The Gorge can change quickly with wind and current, so we adjust each day based on conditions.

At the time, anglers had an opportunity for steady walleye action, good-eating fish, or the chance to battle a true giant Columbia River sturgeon.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

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

The Columbia River reopened 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 previous open days showed noticeably better fishing from the St. Helens area through Portland, with more salmon being caught throughout the river system. There were more salmon around than there had been a couple of weeks earlier, and the run finally appeared to be building.

I continued fishing both the Columbia River and lower Willamette River depending on where conditions and fish movement looked best.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Oregon and Washington fishery managers opened another short Columbia River salmon opportunity after improved spring Chinook numbers.

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

I fished the Portland area and took advantage of the opener. After that, the plan was to shift back to the lower Willamette River, which was also producing salmon, especially in the lower stretches and around Oregon City.

With salmon in the system and limited open days, timing was everything.

Monday, March 30, 2026

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

Better reports came from the lower river, especially around Kalama, where anglers experienced more consistent success and a noticeable increase in salmon catches.

On the Willamette River near St. Johns, fishing was spotty, with a few salmon caught 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 as more salmon entered the river system.

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 being caught around St. Helens. Chinook continued moving through the system, but regulations required their release during certain portions 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 that year. The limit at the time was two fin-clipped coho, while anglers were required to release Chinook and steelhead during certain portions of the season.

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 additional opportunities before the peak Buoy 10 season. This created a great option for anglers fishing near Astoria and Hammond.

Ocean salmon fishing offshore from Astoria was excellent when conditions allowed boats to cross the Columbia River bar safely. Coho were the primary fish, with many running between 7 and 10 pounds and a few Chinook 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 to ocean salmon and Buoy 10 fishing near Hammond and Astoria.

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 slowly 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 updated run and catch numbers. The lower Columbia River reopened for additional spring Chinook fishing days from Buoy 10 toward Beacon Rock, with bank opportunities extending farther upriver below Bonneville Dam.

Some of the better action came from Davis Bar, 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 weather 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 trolled productive walleye areas and switched to jigging after locating 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 produced strong fishing in several areas, including Hood River, Bonneville, Scappoose, St. Helens, and the lower Columbia River. Oregon and Washington fishery managers extended multiple salmon opportunities during September and October.

Anglers encountered a mixture of Chinook and coho throughout the river, with strong numbers of salmon moving upriver. Some areas allowed Chinook retention 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 became 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 near Portland, below Bonneville Dam, and around Hood River. We caught a mixture of Chinook and coho, with some days producing fast action and early limits.

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

Late September and early October produced some of the best stretches, with clients putting salmon in the boat and steady numbers of fish moving throughout the Columbia River 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 overview of what anglers can expect:

Spring: Spring Chinook salmon near Portland, St. Helens, Bonneville, and the lower Willamette River.
Summer: Oversized sturgeon, walleye, summer salmon, and early ocean salmon near Astoria.
August: Buoy 10 salmon fishing near Astoria, Hammond, Warrenton, and the mouth of the Columbia River.
Fall: Chinook and coho salmon opportunities in parts of the Columbia River when regulations allow.
Late fall: Dungeness crabbing near Astoria, Hammond, the lower Columbia River, and the Oregon Coast.
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?

I update this page when I have fresh observations from fishing trips or important changes to share. Each dated entry identifies when I fished, and reports shared by other anglers are labeled separately.

Where is the best fishing on the Columbia River right now?

Of my latest trips, sturgeon fishing below The Dalles Dam on October 5 produced the most action. My Portland-area coho trips on October 1–2 were slow. A friend also reported catching 16 coho at Buoy 10 on October 5. These are dated observations, and conditions can change. Call or text 503-314-5087 to discuss the best option for your trip.

Can you keep wild coho near Portland and Troutdale?

Under the rules checked October 6, 2026, wild or hatchery coho may be retained through October 15 in the Columbia mainstem from the Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line upstream to Bonneville Dam. The daily adult limit is two coho. From October 16–31, only hatchery coho may be retained in this section. Check ODFW’s current rules before fishing.

Can you keep Chinook near Portland right now?

Under the rules checked October 6, 2026, all Chinook must be released in the Columbia mainstem from the Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line upstream to Bonneville Dam. We released the small Chinook jacks we caught during our October 1–2 coho trips.

What is the salmon limit at Buoy 10?

Under the rules checked October 6, 2026, the daily adult limit from Buoy 10 upstream to the west Puget Island line is three hatchery coho through October 31. All wild coho, Chinook, and steelhead must be released. Rules farther upriver differ, so check the exact section you plan to fish.

Can I book a sturgeon trip below The Dalles Dam?

Yes. I offer Columbia River catch-and-release sturgeon trips when conditions and regulations allow. My October 5 trip below The Dalles Dam produced plenty of four- and five-foot fish and smaller sturgeon. Call or text 503-314-5087 or send a trip inquiry for availability.

Can I combine salmon fishing and crabbing?

During the lower Columbia salmon season, combination trips may be available when conditions and regulations allow. My guided Buoy 10 season is finished for 2026, and I am booking dedicated fall crabbing trips. Visit my crabbing trip page or contact me about next year’s salmon-and-crab opportunities.

Where do you fish for salmon near Portland?

I fish the Columbia River near Portland, Troutdale, St. Helens, and below Bonneville Dam, as well as the lower Willamette River. The area we choose depends on the season, fish movement, conditions, and regulations. My October 1–2 trips were on the Columbia near the mouth of the Sandy River.

When is Buoy 10 salmon fishing?

Buoy 10 usually becomes a main focus in August near Astoria, Hammond, Warrenton, and the Columbia River mouth. Coho opportunities may continue into September and fall when regulations allow. Contact me about booking the 2027 season.

Can I book a Columbia River walleye or salmon trip?

Yes. Call or text Marvin at 503-314-5087 or use the trip inquiry page to discuss available dates and seasonal opportunities.

Ready to fish the Columbia River? Join Marvin’s Guide Service for a guided fishing trip based on the season and conditions. Call or text 503-314-5087 or send a guided fishing trip inquiry online.

Columbia River Fishing Report for 2026 (Frequent Updates)