Spring Chinook Heat Up on the Columbia: 20-30 Pounders Crushin' It This Week

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things angling on the mighty Columbia River around Portland. It's early morning here on March 22, 2026, and we're lookin' at a crisp PNW day—winds west at 5-10 mph, highs in the low 50s, clearin' up tonight with lows around 32F, per Columbia Gorge News. Sunrise kicked off about 7:15 AM, sunset 'round 7:25 PM. Tides at the Columbia River entrance show a high at 2 AM pushin' 8 feet, low at 8:18 AM near zero, then high again at 2:38 PM—NOAA Tides & Currents has the full pull. Fish the incomin' tide for best action.

Winter steelhead season's windin' down after a killer run, but spring Chinook—those omega-3 packed springers—are heatin' up big time, NW Columbia Fishing Adventures reports from their 3/21 update. Bonneville Dam counts are blowin' past forecasts, with limits common on the Columbia, Willamette, and Wind River. We're talkin' fresh 20-30 pounders fightin' like demons in cool water temps. Catches yesterday included multiple springers per boat, plus early summer steelhead peekin' in. Numbers are strong—projections hit 186k+ for the year.

For lures, spin-n-glos in chartreuse or UV pink, or Kwikfish divers are slammin' 'em—light tackle for steelies, heavier for hogs. Best bait? Fresh roe clusters or cured prawns threaded tight. Troll slow at 1.5-2 mph in 40-60 feet.

Hit these hot spots: Mouth of the Willamette near Portland for easy access and steady springers, or run up to Wind River in the Gorge—stunnin' views and limits waitin' if Bonneville counts climb. Water's clear, bite's on—get out there safe, check regs.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI