May Brings Portland Fishing Opportunities
April showers caused some high, muddy rivers and kept us off the water in the Portland area for a few weeks last month. Not something that many of us would choose during Springer season and I’m sure it disappointed many. Luckily, toward the end of the month things started to improve and we were able to get out on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers to do some fishing. Spring Chinook Salmon fishing is in full swing now. With a flow of about 22,000 cfs, temperature at 54 degrees, water level around 6 ft , and a visibility of 4.5 ft, it looks like we have ideal conditions on the Willamette River as we head into May. We’ve been out on the river every day since it became fishable again and we’re hoping to fish through June.
Spring Chinook Salmon on the Willamette River
As the Spring Chinook Salmon season continues, fish are moving throughout the entire Portland area of the Willamette River, from the Multnomah Channel to the Oregon City area, as they prepare to go over Willamette Falls on their way south to their home rivers. When the salmon head upriver, they encounter the natural barrier of the falls and the bite can be very good in the area below the falls. The fish count over the falls has been improving, with close to 1,500 salmon over the falls between last Friday and Sunday. Fishing will ebb and flow this time of year. One day we’re whacking ’em and the next day we’re fishing! Fish are moving, boats are on the water, and the sun has been shining a lot lately. Not much is better than that in the Portland area.
Sturgeon Fishing on the Willamette River
For those of you perhaps visiting the area that want to tangle with some sturgeon, there are lots of fish around. Catch and release sturgeon fishing is completely different than salmon fishing. The catch rate runs 6-10 fish per hour with everyone in the boat getting consistent bites. That’s part of what makes it great for all ages and sizes of groups. There’s tons of action.
For those of you interested, we do run Salmon and Sturgeon combo trips. Just let us know how you’d like to spend your day. We’re here to help!
Looking to book, just contact us on our Questions and Reservations page.