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Columbia River Fishing Report for November 26, 2025 - Late Fall Conditions, Steelhead and Trout Opportunities
Published 5 months ago
Description
Artificial Lure here with your November 26, 2025 Columbia River fishing report, right out of Portland.
We’re waking up to typical late fall weather—expect overcast skies, intermittent showers, and brisk mornings in the low 40s, with afternoon highs touching 49°F. Winds are light out of the south, so not too much chop, though keep an eye out if you’re boating at the Columbia River Bar, which is under a Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM, says the National Weather Service. Sunrise came at 7:18 AM, and the sun’s set for 4:30 PM tonight, meaning shorter days so plan accordingly.
Tide-wise, you’ll see a high around 9:28 AM near the Morrison Bridge at 1.7 feet, then a low near 11 AM at just 0.24 feet. Stronger tides can kick up current in the Multnomah Channel and the mouth, so time your casts around those transition periods for best results.
Fish activity is slowing down with the cold snap, but there’s still action for those willing to put in the effort. The main salmonid creel program on the lower Columbia is closed for the year and won't resume until February, but steelhead are present in the lower Columbia tributaries. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, hatchery coho are still straggling through, but fresh fish numbers are dropping. Early winter steelhead are just starting to show—numbers are thin, but the recent rains could stir things up a bit. Up near Bonneville, anglers reported one legal-sized sturgeon released for every two bank anglers last week, and walleye fishing in The Dalles was fair, with one walleye kept for five anglers.
If you’re after trout, Clark County lakes were recently stocked with jumbo trout for Black Friday, so you might consider slipping over to Vancouver for easy action on big rainbows, especially if you’ve got kids along for the holiday weekend.
As far as lures go, bright or metallic spoons like Little Cleos and Blue Fox Vibrax spinners remain reliable for coho and early steelhead, especially with slightly higher water from recent rains. For bait, fresh sand shrimp and cured roe are the top choices if you’re drifting, while nightcrawlers and PowerBait will tempt those big stocked trout in local lakes.
If you want to bank on success, here are a couple hot spots:
- **Mouth of the Sandy River:** You’ll find solid shot at steelhead or late coho with drifting gear, particularly early or late in the day.
- **Kelly Point Park:** Great for sturgeon and occasional coho, especially around tide change. Cast from shore with sand shrimp or anchovies.
- **Camas Slough:** Good odds for walleye and bass if you’re itching for variety—think soft plastics and swimbaits near structure.
Quick regulation reminder—fall Chinook retention is closed in most sub-basins after December 1, with reduced bag limits this year, and wild coho retention is off the table. Always check the Oregon regulations before heading out.
Family note: Free fishing days return on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29—no license required so invite the neighbors and make a morning of it.
Thanks for tuning in to this report, folks. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a local river update and get on the bite before the winter lulls hit.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We’re waking up to typical late fall weather—expect overcast skies, intermittent showers, and brisk mornings in the low 40s, with afternoon highs touching 49°F. Winds are light out of the south, so not too much chop, though keep an eye out if you’re boating at the Columbia River Bar, which is under a Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM, says the National Weather Service. Sunrise came at 7:18 AM, and the sun’s set for 4:30 PM tonight, meaning shorter days so plan accordingly.
Tide-wise, you’ll see a high around 9:28 AM near the Morrison Bridge at 1.7 feet, then a low near 11 AM at just 0.24 feet. Stronger tides can kick up current in the Multnomah Channel and the mouth, so time your casts around those transition periods for best results.
Fish activity is slowing down with the cold snap, but there’s still action for those willing to put in the effort. The main salmonid creel program on the lower Columbia is closed for the year and won't resume until February, but steelhead are present in the lower Columbia tributaries. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, hatchery coho are still straggling through, but fresh fish numbers are dropping. Early winter steelhead are just starting to show—numbers are thin, but the recent rains could stir things up a bit. Up near Bonneville, anglers reported one legal-sized sturgeon released for every two bank anglers last week, and walleye fishing in The Dalles was fair, with one walleye kept for five anglers.
If you’re after trout, Clark County lakes were recently stocked with jumbo trout for Black Friday, so you might consider slipping over to Vancouver for easy action on big rainbows, especially if you’ve got kids along for the holiday weekend.
As far as lures go, bright or metallic spoons like Little Cleos and Blue Fox Vibrax spinners remain reliable for coho and early steelhead, especially with slightly higher water from recent rains. For bait, fresh sand shrimp and cured roe are the top choices if you’re drifting, while nightcrawlers and PowerBait will tempt those big stocked trout in local lakes.
If you want to bank on success, here are a couple hot spots:
- **Mouth of the Sandy River:** You’ll find solid shot at steelhead or late coho with drifting gear, particularly early or late in the day.
- **Kelly Point Park:** Great for sturgeon and occasional coho, especially around tide change. Cast from shore with sand shrimp or anchovies.
- **Camas Slough:** Good odds for walleye and bass if you’re itching for variety—think soft plastics and swimbaits near structure.
Quick regulation reminder—fall Chinook retention is closed in most sub-basins after December 1, with reduced bag limits this year, and wild coho retention is off the table. Always check the Oregon regulations before heading out.
Family note: Free fishing days return on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29—no license required so invite the neighbors and make a morning of it.
Thanks for tuning in to this report, folks. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a local river update and get on the bite before the winter lulls hit.
This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI