Today
Wednesday, Aug 19
7.6/10
Partial
Partly Sunny
81°59°
Wind3 mph NNWRain0%Clouds44%Moon40%
Oregon · River fishing forecast
Columbia River fishing forecast today
Current conditions plus a 7-day fishing outlook for Columbia River, including Fishing Score, wind, pressure, clouds, rain chance and moon phase, with live USGS water observations, recent trends and long-term seasonal context where available.
7.9/10
Good
Current Fishing Score
Weather-based index from the inputs available right now. It is a conditions summary, not a catch prediction.
100% weather data coverageFull inputs
Air temperature
58°F
Wind
1 mph NNW
Pressure
30.09 inHg
Nearby NWS observation
Cloud cover
88%
Rain chance
0%
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Gusts
3 mph
Humidity
91%
Weather data updated: Aug 19, 2026, 6:41 AM PDT
Live water data
Columbia River USGS water conditions
Current observations with 24-hour, 7-day, recent 30-day and long-term seasonal context from the verified reference station.
Columbia River at Vancouver, WAUSGS-14144700 · about 1 mi from forecast point
Streamflow139,000 cfsUSGS 00060
24hStable+1%7 daysRising+14%30-day contextAbove 30-day median126,000 cfs medianSeasonal baselineNear seasonal median146,000 cfs median · 15 years
Gage height1.23 ftUSGS 00065
24hFalling-0.40 ft7 daysFalling-3.43 ft30-day contextBelow 30-day median2.86 ft median
Latest supported observation: Aug 19, 7:15 AM PDTSeasonal baseline uses approved USGS day-of-year statistics; 30-day context remains a separate recent median. Water readings remain display-only when a validated river-flow baseline is not available.
Plan the week
Columbia River 7-day fishing forecast
Compare day-level Fishing Scores with wind, rain risk, pressure and temperatures for the next seven days.
Forecast data coverageDaily weather-score coverage ranges from 54% to 72%. Cards marked Partial are missing one or more weighted inputs.
Best available weather score · partialSunday, Aug 23 · 8.1/10
Thu
Thursday, Aug 20
7.3/10
Partial
Mostly Sunny
86°61°
Wind2 mph NNWRain1%Clouds27%Moon50%
Fri
Friday, Aug 21
6.9/10
Partial
Mostly Cloudy
83°59°
Wind1 mph NWRain27%Clouds63%Moon61%
Sat
Saturday, Aug 22
7.6/10
Partial
Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
73°58°
Wind4 mph WSWRain15%Clouds55%Moon71%
Sun
Sunday, Aug 23
8.1/10
Partial
Mostly Sunny
77°58°
Wind5 mph WNWRain0%Clouds36%Moon80%
Mon
Monday, Aug 24
7.1/10
Partial
Mostly Sunny
82°59°
Wind5 mph NNWClouds30%Moon88%
Tue
Tuesday, Aug 25
8.0/10
Partial
Mostly Sunny
79°57°
Wind5 mph NWRain1%Clouds35%Moon94%
The large Current Fishing Score above uses current conditions and, on eligible river pages, can include a conservative USGS streamflow penalty. The seven daily cards remain weather-only because this site does not predict future river flow. Cards marked “Partial” use less than 90% of the weighted weather inputs.
Columbia River fishing conditions overview
The current weather inputs produce a good weather-based Fishing Score. Very light wind may leave clear, calm water more demanding.
Estimated activity windows: 5:32 AM–7:47 AM and 6:44 PM–8:59 PM local time. These are dawn/dusk windows, not guaranteed bite times.
Best fishing time today: estimated windows
The first estimated window runs from 5:32 AM–7:47 AM, around sunrise at 6:17 AM. The second runs from 6:44 PM–8:59 PM, around sunset at 8:14 PM. Lower light can change visibility and fish positioning, but actual feeding periods vary by species, season and water conditions.
Columbia River fishing: structure, seasons and local conditions
Major Pacific Northwest river with strong current and migratory salmonid fisheries. That physical setting is the starting point for reading today's forecast, because current seams and slower-water edges can react differently to wind, light and changing water conditions. Current is a defining feature on this reach. Faster seams, softer edges and deeper runs can offer very different holding water, so a single discharge number should be interpreted through the structure visible at the spot you fish.
Seasonal change at Columbia River is best treated as a sequence of warming, peak-summer and cooling periods. Each transition can change depth use, current preference and the value of shoreline cover. The seven-day forecast helps identify short weather shifts inside that cycle, but water temperature, flow or level should be checked whenever a reliable local observation is available. Use the forecast to decide when wind, rain and cloud cover are manageable, then judge current seams and slower-water edges against the actual flow at the access point.
Common targets at Columbia River include Chinook salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon. They do not use depth, current and cover in exactly the same way, so the Fishing Score remains a conditions index rather than a species-specific bite prediction. This page also has a manually mapped USGS reference station, so fresh water temperature, flow or level can be shown when that station reports a supported sensor.
What to watch in today's conditions
Wind
Current wind is about 1 mph from NNW, with gusts near 3 mph. Crosswind and gusts can change boat control and presentation, while bends and protected banks may remain much calmer.
Barometric pressure
Barometric pressure is about 30.09 inHg. Pressure is one part of the Fishing Score and is read together with wind, cloud cover and precipitation.
Moon phase and light
The moon is currently in the Waxing Crescent phase with approximately 38% illumination. Lunar illumination has a smaller weight than the main weather factors.
Target species
Chinook salmonSteelheadSturgeon
Always verify current state fishing regulations, seasons, bag limits, licensing requirements and location-specific closures before fishing.
How this forecast is calculated
The Fishing Score starts with National Weather Service weather data: pressure 28%, wind 24%, cloud cover 18%, precipitation probability 18% and lunar illumination 12%. Missing weather factors are never treated as zero; partial weather results are pulled toward a neutral 5/10 according to the missing weight. On eligible river pages, a separate conservative USGS flow check can only reduce the current score when streamflow is unusually far from the long-term seasonal median or changing rapidly. It never increases the score.
Quick answers
Columbia River fishing forecast FAQ
What is the Fishing Score for Columbia River today?
The current Fishing Score is 7.9 out of 10 with 100% weighted data coverage. The weather inputs used by the score are currently complete.
What is the best fishing time at Columbia River today?
The page highlights estimated low-light windows of 5:32 AM–7:47 AM and 6:44 PM–8:59 PM local time, centered around sunrise and sunset. They are planning windows, not guaranteed bite times.
What fish are commonly targeted at Columbia River?
Common target species listed for Columbia River include Chinook salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon. Seasons, legal limits and local closures can change, so always verify current regulations before fishing.
What weather factors are used for Columbia River?
The Fishing Score uses barometric pressure and trend, wind, cloud cover, precipitation probability and moon illumination. Missing inputs are excluded rather than treated as zero.
Does this page include USGS water conditions for Columbia River?
Yes. This page uses the manually mapped Columbia River at Vancouver, WA reference station when fresh supported observations are available. Water temperature, streamflow or water level can appear depending on the station sensors. When approved long-term statistics are available, the page can compare the current reading with the seasonal median for the same calendar day. On river pages with at least 20 approved observations contributing to that calendar day, unusually extreme or rapidly changing flow may conservatively reduce the Fishing Score; water data never adds bonus points.