Here’s the latest Columbia River fishing report based on recent state and angler updates (as of early February 2026):

🎣 Current Conditions & What’s Biting

Winter Steelhead & Trout
• Steelhead fishing is starting to pick up through December/January in the lower Columbia, with winter steelhead being the main target right now and anglers reporting success in the river.

Salmon
• Most salmon fisheries (chinook & coho) are closed or very slow this time of year on the main Columbia River — typical for winter months.
• Spring chinook fishing is predicted to improve in March, with more consistent catches expected once water temps begin rising.

White Sturgeon
• Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing can still be productive in winter, especially where smelt are present, though retention is closed in parts of the river (e.g., John Day Pool).

Warmwater Species & Walleye
• Walleye begin feeding more actively in late winter as waters slowly warm — prime action often comes in March through spring.

📊 Regulations & Updates

• Sturgeon retention is closed in several reservoirs/sections; catch-and-release is generally allowed but check specific zone rules before heading out.
• Recreational fishing regulations, catch limits, and zone seasons for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon are set by Washington and Oregon and can change via the Columbia River Compact process.

📍 Angler Notes (From Recent Reports)

• Anglers accessing the river have reported winter steelhead catches and photos coming in from mid-January, indicating fish are present and active in standard winter holes.
• Bass and salmon bite rates are slow due to cold water, while steelhead and sturgeon opportunities continue.

🧠 Quick Tips Before You Go

✅ Check latest local flow and water temps — water conditions influence bite rates heavily in winter.
✅ Bring appropriate gear for steelhead and sturgeon — lighter tackle and swung flies or spin-n-glow setups can be best in winter.
✅ Confirm current regulations zone-specific for where you plan to fish (Oregon vs Washington rules can differ).

If you want, I can pull the latest specific creel or biological count reports (e.g., dam fish counts or recent creel summaries for specific reaches of the Columbia).