How Far Inland Does Tide Affect Columbia?

[SKP]

How far inland does the tide affect the Columbia to make a difference on fishing for nooks? Rooster Rock? Government Island? Cathlamet? (Just kidding with Cathlamet :grin: ).

Thanks,
SKP

[Boatdog]

I have heard that the tidal influence goes all the way up to both Bonneville Dam and Willamette Falls. On large swings the salmon/current is affected up to both places.

You can see this in the water level data online.

[Silver Hilton]

Easily up to the Camas area. I haven't noticed a tidal effect on the fishing at Bonneville, but from Rooster Rock on down, it definitely affects the current, which affects the fishing.

[Boatdog]

For example, here is a graph of the current and predicted water levels at Vancouver, WA.
The tidal influence is pretty clear, and with some 4 ft swings.

I'm not an expert on how much this affects the bite, or how far up it will affect the bite, but I do know the tidal influence affects the flow up to the big concrete wall.

[freespool]

I have heard that the tidal influence goes all the way up to both Bonneville Dam and Willamette Falls.

This is correct.



salmon hugger

[Rubber Hooks]

Fished out of Chinook Landing couple times in July. Usually started with 8 oz in the morning. By afternoon down to 4 oz. Tide does have an effect on the current, but there is still enough current to keep the Alvins working.

[Digifish]

The question is "how much tidal influence at what point in the river?" The closer to the mouth the bigger influence...the further from the mouth...well you get it.

Portland is at an interesting location because it is close to the last place where the flood tide will slow the current enough to not get a lure to work on the hook.

I'm with SH, Camas to Rooster Rock is really the transition area. Above there, and you can fish round the clock, below that and you need to watch the tides.

Though there are a couple of spots that always work.

[CATCH AND EAT]

This is correct.

salmon hugger

Yep! I have been anchor up near reed island and have had the tide push my boat up river. Weird feeling for sure.

[1pump]

Found this on the OSP website:

CR tidal influence

[Bird Dog]

Those are great pics of the trucks!

In the early 90's we used to launch our ski boats at Rooster Rock, and sometimes the river would drop so far we had to get out and push the boats across the sand to get them into the channel. One time we stayed and helped several boats through who otherwise would have been stranded for the night. Good boating Karma!

[CATCH AND EAT]