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Columbia River Fishing Report - June 20, 2025: Chinook, Steelhead, Walleye, and Sturgeon Action
Published 10 months, 1 week ago
Description
Artificial Lure coming to you with today’s Columbia River fishing report for Portland, Friday, June 20, 2025.
We’re rolling into that early summer groove, with the summer season officially underway as of June 16. The weather today is looking like a classic Pacific Northwest June morning—expect mild temps in the low 60s at sunrise, with highs pushing to the mid-70s by afternoon. Skies should be partly cloudy, and there’s just a light breeze out of the northwest. Sunrise hit us early at 5:22 a.m. and you’ll have daylight all the way to sunset at 9:03 p.m.
The tide is outgoing this morning and will bottom out mid-morning, swinging back in around noon for a strong afternoon incoming tide—prime conditions for anything from shad to walleye.
We’re on the tail end of the spring Chinook run, but don’t hang it up—the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms summer seasons are now open. Retention of jack hatchery Chinook and hatchery steelhead started up June 16 from the Astoria-Megler Bridge all the way upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco, Washington. With a lower than average summer Chinook forecast, adult retention is closed below Priest Rapids Dam, so make sure you’re dialed into current regs—no sense getting pinched this early in the season. Also, hatchery steelhead can be kept through July 31 with a reduced bag limit of just one fish per day in this stretch.
Anglers are reporting solid walleye action in the John Day Pool, which tends to translate to decent walleye activity in Portland’s stretch of river too. According to Captain Experiences, sturgeon fishing has been fantastic lately, with many groups landing multiple fish per trip—check above the Willamette confluence for your best shot at a keeper.
Shad are running strong in the lower river and the bite is picking up. Use bright-colored darts or spoons—silver and chartreuse are especially hot this week. For walleye, stick to fire tiger or perch-patterned crankbaits bounced along drop-offs, or try plastics on a jighead in deeper slots.
Chinook and steelhead chasers are having the best luck with prawn spinners or cut plug herring, especially on the incoming tide. Don’t overlook fresh sand shrimp for steelhead. Early bird gets the worm, so hit those riffles and current seams at first light. For bank anglers, try the stretch around Cathedral Park or Sauvie Island for access and plenty of room.
Two hotspots to pin on your map: the mouth of the Willamette River, just downstream from Kelly Point, and the waters around Government Island. Both have been producing a mix of shad, the occasional late Chinook, and plenty of willing sturgeon.
That covers it for today’s action. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your daily fishing fix. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
We’re rolling into that early summer groove, with the summer season officially underway as of June 16. The weather today is looking like a classic Pacific Northwest June morning—expect mild temps in the low 60s at sunrise, with highs pushing to the mid-70s by afternoon. Skies should be partly cloudy, and there’s just a light breeze out of the northwest. Sunrise hit us early at 5:22 a.m. and you’ll have daylight all the way to sunset at 9:03 p.m.
The tide is outgoing this morning and will bottom out mid-morning, swinging back in around noon for a strong afternoon incoming tide—prime conditions for anything from shad to walleye.
We’re on the tail end of the spring Chinook run, but don’t hang it up—the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms summer seasons are now open. Retention of jack hatchery Chinook and hatchery steelhead started up June 16 from the Astoria-Megler Bridge all the way upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco, Washington. With a lower than average summer Chinook forecast, adult retention is closed below Priest Rapids Dam, so make sure you’re dialed into current regs—no sense getting pinched this early in the season. Also, hatchery steelhead can be kept through July 31 with a reduced bag limit of just one fish per day in this stretch.
Anglers are reporting solid walleye action in the John Day Pool, which tends to translate to decent walleye activity in Portland’s stretch of river too. According to Captain Experiences, sturgeon fishing has been fantastic lately, with many groups landing multiple fish per trip—check above the Willamette confluence for your best shot at a keeper.
Shad are running strong in the lower river and the bite is picking up. Use bright-colored darts or spoons—silver and chartreuse are especially hot this week. For walleye, stick to fire tiger or perch-patterned crankbaits bounced along drop-offs, or try plastics on a jighead in deeper slots.
Chinook and steelhead chasers are having the best luck with prawn spinners or cut plug herring, especially on the incoming tide. Don’t overlook fresh sand shrimp for steelhead. Early bird gets the worm, so hit those riffles and current seams at first light. For bank anglers, try the stretch around Cathedral Park or Sauvie Island for access and plenty of room.
Two hotspots to pin on your map: the mouth of the Willamette River, just downstream from Kelly Point, and the waters around Government Island. Both have been producing a mix of shad, the occasional late Chinook, and plenty of willing sturgeon.
That covers it for today’s action. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your daily fishing fix. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.