Winter Walleye Columbia River

Fishing for walleye on the Columbia River during winter can be highly productive.

This January, February, and March, Marvin’s Guide Service, along with his good friend Ed Chin with All About Adventure Excursions, will be teaming up and offering winter walleye fishing trips on the Columbia River between Rufus and Boardman, Oregon.

Both are located east of Portland, offering breathtaking and beautiful views of the Columbia River Gorge. The locations will vary depending on water temperature, wind conditions, and the activity of the walleye bite.

You can get more information about summer walleye by visiting my Columbia River walleye page.

Weather Conditions for Columbia River Winter Walleye

Winter walleye fishing can be very cold. Monitoring the wind is a must, as high winds can make fishing impossible. I keep a close eye on it.

Of course, it also is essential to dress warmly for winter walleye fishing. The boat will not have a cover. We will have a heater to keep you warm between trolling sessions. The top is removed from the boat because, generally, in the Columbia Gorge, we have wind, and a top will act like a giant sail. When you’re trying jig, you want to keep the boat as straight and still as possible. We have additional sets of rain gear designed to break the wind and keep you dry.

Tips for Catching Columbia River Winter Walleye!

Jigging for Winter Walleye

In colder water conditions, walleye tend to be close to the bottom, so it advisable to keep your jig positioned tightly to the bottom. We use a variety of different patterned jigs that imitate the walleye diet, from crayfish patterns to shad and perch patterns.

Walleye prefer slow-moving currents. Seek out areas where the water flow is gentle and shielded from strong currents. Walleye move day to day, so you have to follow the fish in their migration routes.

I will jig for walleye in depths ranging from 10 to 70 or even 80 feet of water.

Trolling for Winter Walleye

Trolling with crankbaits downstream in water ranging from 15 to 50 feet can be highly effective, allowing you to cover a significant area to locate walleye.

Be sure to use your GPS to mark the spot when you identify a school of walleye. After identifying the school of walleye, it is advisable to return and utilize your jigs on them.

Utilizing bottom walkers with a worm while trolling very slowly downriver proves to be exceedingly effective. Do not hesitate to experiment with different colors of worm harnesses to determine what the walleye desire, as preferences can vary daily. When fish become hard to find, we cover a lot of water trying to locate them. The walleye will travel miles in a day, so don’t be surprised that they are not in the same spot from the last outing.

Columbia River Winter Walleye Size

Walleye typically range from 2 to 15 pounds in the big river. However, many anglers prefer to release the larger female walleye to ensure the sustainability of walleye fishing for future generations. In my opinion, the two-pound walleye are among the finest for consumption. I have a particular fondness for walleye tacos.