The spotlight this week is on the Buoy 10 opener, drawing excitement from anglers across the region. Columbia River steelhead fishing remains strong, with early morning bites keeping shorelines busy. Tributaries are seeing solid steelhead movement, and ocean coho and Chinook continue to provide fast-paced action offshore. Overall, fishing opportunities are plentiful—from the rivers to the coast—and conditions are primed for both bank and boat success.
Lewis River
Flows stayed consistent around 1,400 cfs this week but are expected to dip to 1,200 cfs heading into August. Fishing was variable, with some anglers connecting and others coming up empty despite high fish presence. Debris continues to impact bottom techniques, making hovering presentations with coon shrimp the most productive method. Bobber dogging and side drifting were largely ineffective due to persistent weeds and cotton buildup.
Kalama River
No reports came in from Kalama this week, as local outreach didn’t yield any updates. Still, the weir is now active and steadily capturing Chinook, indicating solid fish movement upriver. Anglers can expect better intel once traffic increases and those fish start staging in accessible stretches. While conditions appear promising, first-hand catch data remains unavailable for now.
Washougal River
The Washougal has dropped to its seasonal low, limiting access to typically productive spots. Morning fishing yielded modest success, with a handful of fish reported early from the lower river stretches. Bobber setups tipped with coon shrimp or jigs were the primary producers, while other methods saw little action. Downsizing gear and using fixed floats made the difference for the few anglers who connected.
Cowlitz River
Fishing remained consistent across boat and bank anglers on the Cowlitz this week. Tacoma Power’s recovery numbers highlight healthy returns, including hundreds of summer-run steelhead and spring Chinook. Plunking with Spin-N-Glos and coon shrimp proved effective above Toledo, while bobber dogging beads and cured eggs led the charge for boaters. Early morning continues to be the most productive window, especially before boat traffic increases.
Tributary Weirs
Several tributary weirs are now active, including those on the Grays, Elochoman, Germany Creek, and Kalama Rivers. Others, such as Cedar Creek and Washougal, are slated for imminent installation. These weirs help track upstream migration and support hatchery operations, signaling solid fish movement across the system. Chinook and steelhead activity appears strong given the ramp-up in monitoring sites.
Columbia River
Steelhead are pouring over Bonneville, topping 4,000 a day and drawing plunkers to tried-and-true bank spots. Anglers from Kalama to Cathlamet are connecting consistently with triple spin glows and coon shrimp. Vancouver and Woodland stretches are producing well, though success varies with tide and depth. Gear prep is underway for the August 1st fall Chinook opener, promising an exciting week ahead.
Sturgeon
Sturgeon fishing has been excellent from Camas to Longview, with anglers finding success in deeper pockets and current breaks. Sardines, squid, and sand shrimp topped the bait list again this week. Most fish were released due to size limits, but oversize catches were frequent and impressive. Conditions remain stable, supporting steady sturgeon action across the region.
Merwin and Yale Lakes
Hotter weather brought out boaters in droves, but fishing remained productive for those dialed into smaller setups. Downsized Spin-N-Glos tipped with corn soaked in tuna juice and garlic outperformed traditional rigs. Depth precision and small presentations made the difference, especially with fish settling into mid-summer patterns. Anglers using fish finders and tracking setback distances are consistently finding limits.
Local Lakes and Ponds
Bass fishing has held up well in the early mornings at Lacamas and Round Lake, according to local sources. Activity slows quickly once the lakes fill with swimmers and kayakers. While other lakes haven’t yielded reports, the general trend suggests that getting out early is key. More updates are expected once recreational pressure drops and conditions stabilize.
Buoy 10
Excitement is building for Buoy 10’s August 1st opener, with hundreds of anglers prepping gear and planning trips. Leader boards are being tied up and tackle boxes reloaded in anticipation of the fall Chinook surge. The season promises fast-paced action and high fish counts. With coho and Chinook already showing strong numbers, expectations are high for an epic opener.
Read this week’s Oregon fishing report.