Oregon Fishing

Oregon Fisheries Update:

Willamette Valley/Metro- Anglers are beginning to pick up an occasional keeper sturgeon near the mouth of the Willamette River but fresh smelt is a key bait if anglers want to get results. The Bonneville Pool is putting out a few keepers as well to both bank and boat anglers.

Incidental commercial catches of spring chinook are on the increase on the lower Columbia River while in pursuit of sturgeon. The average size of the salmon is shrinking to around 20 pounds possibly indicating the presence of the typically smaller upper Columbia bound stock.

Not much in the way of sport caught salmon this week reports Pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327). Better times are ahead!

Water temperatures of the lower Willamette are rising which should have a positive effect on fishing. Sturgeon fishing is fair to good when the fish can be found. Spring chinook fishing remains slow as is often the case after a brief flurry of activity witnessed a few weeks ago.


Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) slow fishing for sturgeon around St. Johns but that it's the best of choices in the lower Willamette.

Fly anglers did very well for trout over the past weekend on the lower McKenzie.

Rain has improved the water temperature along with the winter steelhead bite on the Clackamas River. Bobber and jigs seems to be most effective here but rising river levels will likely shift effort to sidedrifting bait.

Steelheading has picked up and the Sandy as well with winters showing a preference for spinners. Fish will become much more distributed after the high water recedes. Varying techniques will take holding fish with bait a likely preference. Plunkers may do well in the lower river when flows stabilize.

The North Santiam is a good bet for solitude. There are very few anglers trying for very few steelhead in the river.

Scheduled for trout stocking this week are Henry Hagg Lake, St Louis Ponds, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake.

Northwest - The first week of March is typically a good one for winter steelhead on the north coast. With the most significant precipitation in weeks, rivers have swelled and when the recede, steelhead fishing will be excellent.

Smaller streams like the Kilchis and North Fork Nehalem will produce early results in the higher flows but few quality hatchery fish will be present in these systems. Anglers wishing to take home a keeper will focus their efforts on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Fish will be well distributed for both bank and boat anglers by the weekend.

Other rivers like the Trask will get good returns of wild fish this week with slightly lighter effort. Bait will be the key to success in the higher flows and anglers should use brighter colors to find fish in the turbid waters.

The Nehalem River will be a poor choice for at least a week.

Sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay showed slight improvement later in last weeks tide series but will likely slow this week. Most anglers will focus their efforts on steelhead in these ideal conditions.

A series of fronts will keep the ocean unfishable through the weekend and even surf fishing will be dangerous for a while.

Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir 1 & 2, Buck Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Elbow Lake, Georgia Lake, Lost Lake (Lane County), Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lagoon and Thissel Pond are scheduled to be planted with trout.

Southwest - Rock and jetty fishing has been worthwhile on the south coast, yielding various species of rockfish, greenling and improving catches of ling cod.

Much of the southwest is getting rain, heavy at times, pushing some rivers out of shape. With no break in the long-range weather forecast, it may be a while before all but the smallest rivers are fishable.

Water levels have improved on the South Fork Coquille over the past week and steelhead catches picked up. The Coos system remains low and clear, however. Crabbing has been worthwhile out of Charleston as well as Bandon. When the seas have flattened, bottom fishers have done well out of Charleston.

While the lower Rogue received some fresh winter steelhead, the bite is slow due to low, cold and clear water. The river level rose over four feet at Agness this week with a passing storm. It fished well above Foster Bar before the rain and is expected to be good when the river starts to drop.

Sixes River steelheaders saw some action over the last week as the water level rose and achieved excellent color.

Chetco flows spiked to about 17,000 cfs overnight on February 23rd. Good catches of herring were being brought into the Port of Brooking prior to the deluge.

Cooper Creek Reservoir will be planted with trout late this week. Trout stocking will take place in most southwest locations in March.

Eastern - Redside trout fishing is fair on the lower Deschutes using caddis pupa and Blue-Winged Olive emergers.

Lake Billy Chinook has continued to provide fair to good fishing for nice-sized kokanee on the troll.

Pro guide Steve Fleming (888-624-9424) reports that steelhead have migrated far up the and that the low, clear water is too cold for smallmouth to start biting.

Oregon Fisheries Update:

Willamette Valley/Metro- 2008 licenses and tags are no longer valid. Be sure to purchase 2009 paperwork before your next outing. The outlook for salmon and steelhead is one of the best in several years.

Although sturgeon fishing on the mainstem Columbia is poor, anglers are reminded of the new head-to-fork length measurement for sturgeon beginning January 1st. Under the new rule, a 42-inch sturgeon translates into 38 inches with the upper limit at 56 inches. Check the ODF&W website for additional conversions.

Rain has warmed the Willamette to over 40 degrees at Willamette Falls and pushed the visibility below one foot. While this isn't ideal for steelhead plunking, these conditions should improve sturgeon fishing.

The North Santiam is unlikely to fish well until mid-February and into March when late run, wild winter steelhead oftentimes produces good catches.

Waters of the Sandy River are high and muddy. Explorers should be cautious as there is woody debris and ice washing down this week. The level was 12 feet at Bull Run on Tuesday.

There has been no action reported from the swollen, muddy Clackamas this week. When we get a break in precipitation, Eagle Creek will come into shape early and steelheading should be worthwhile this late in the season. Chrome winters were spotted here as recently as Christmas day. The Clackamas is forecast to drop to 14 feet at Estacada with little change in the level for several days thereafter.

Planting of legal-size and broodstock trout to 15 pounds will resume this week. Skipped last week due to snow and ice, Huddleston Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake will all get a visit from the ODFW tank truck. A tipster tells us stocking will take place on New Year's Eve.

Northwest – Local rivers witnessed the most significant rise in river levels in several weeks. Stockpiled snow in the headwaters of these watersheds will likely keep rivers charged for the next few weeks barring a swift warming trend.

Anxious steelheaders were close to getting optimum river levels by the New Year holiday but another weather system will keep the more productive streams off-color at least until the weekend. Smaller streams may offer some opportunity but bank fishing will likely be the only option as high winds and saturated river banks will have large wood debris impeding navigation.

Astoria area streams may offer the best opportunity with Big Creek, Gnat Creek and the Klaskanine River fair options until the next river rise. Action has been reported as fair at best however and this is peak season for returning steelhead adults on these smaller streams.

With estuaries saturated with fresh water associated with snow melt and rough seas in the forecast, crabbing will be a poor option on most coastal bays with the exception of Netarts Bay. High winds will challenge boaters through the weekend.

High water in coastal estuaries often draws sturgeon in and sends bait-picking crab back out to sea. Although we certainly have muddy waters at the coast, a weak tide series will limit success for sturgeon anglers until the next good minus tide series the following week.

The Alsea rose to 13.5 feet overnight on December 28th but has been receding since then. While it's not forecast to drop below the eight foot level this week, winter steelheading is expected to be good when the water clears. Fish were caught here as recently as Saturday.

Southwest – With wind and waves predictably high, offshore fishing will not be an option out of any central or southern Oregon port.

The mainstem Umpqua started to blow out Sunday, December 28th and is still out of shape. It is expected to fish well when there is a break in the weather.

The Rogue River blew out on Monday this week, rising to over nine feet at Grants Pass and almost 16 feet at Agness. It's dropping rapidly and may fish by New Year's Day. The recent freshet is sure to have brought in bright fish.

The Elk River rose from 4.5 on December 24th to nearly 15 feet on Monday this week. While it's a muddy mess now, it will recover quickly when the rain stops for a couple of days.

After hitting 50,000 cfs, the Chetco River has been dropping but as of Tuesday this week the water level was still over 10 feet at Brookings, muddy and unfishable. Steelheading was excellent prior to the deluge and is expected to be worthwhile once the water recedes.


Eastern – For anglers who can endure cold temperatures and difficult roads, the Deschutes has been in good shape and is exhibiting decent color. Fishing for trout and steelhead has been fair to good.

Oregon Fisheries Update:

* * * Be Safe and Enjoy the Holiday Season ! ! ! * * *

Willamette Valley/Metro- This would be a good week to remember to get your 2009 fishing and shellfish license before your next outing. With next years outlook for hatchery salmon so good, it may be wise to consider an additional hatchery harvest card.

Treacherous conditions kept effort at nearly nothing in the gorge and on the lower Willamette this week. Although continued poor weather will remain in the area, sturgeon fishing in the mainstem is likely to remain poor until early spring. Anglers are reminded to check new measurement regulations for sturgeon as we transition from a total length measurement to a fork length measurement. This should make recording more consistent as variations in total length caused hardships.

Water temperatures at Willamette Falls registered 35 degrees recently. Fishing will be very slow in water this cold. Steelhead bite better in warmer water and sturgeon will not be feeding actively.

The frigid waters of the Clackamas River have not been productive for winter steelhead recently. Action is likely to remain slow until air and water temperatures warm up.

Water level at the Sandy has been consistent and without much fluctuation. A few winters have been taken recently by hearty steelheaders but overall it has been slow. Strong east winds not only make fishing a hazard, it puts fish off of the bite. The next warming trend should improve success rates although fishing is likely to get much better by late January.

When the rain comes and snowmelt begins, it's likely the North Santiam will become a torrent.

Trout stocking has been delayed this week buy ice and snow. Look for eight-to-15 pound brood trout to be planted in valley lakes and ponds the week of December 29th, weather permitting.

Northwest – What few steelheaders that ventured out into the relatively mild conditions on the north coast found fair success for steelhead on district streams. Smaller coastal tributaries remained too low for good action but the Wilson put out a few steelhead early in the week. A mix of broodstock and early returning fish were reported with plugs taking a fair share of the bites.

Depending on how fast the massive amount of snow melts from the coast range, steelheaders may continue to see fair results when the temperatures rise. Low water levels should keep fish in the lower portions of the areas rivers and the Wilson is likely to remain a top bet. The best action is likely to take place downriver of Mills Bridge with a few fish scattered in the upper reaches accessible only by bank. The Nestucca is a close second with a few fish returning to Three Rivers as well.

Big minus tides were likely to offer up good sturgeon opportunities in Tillamook and Nehalem Bay but few anglers took advantage of them due to inclement weather. Cold air can have an especially chilling effect on exposed anglers in the estuary.

Overnight tides were favorable for holiday crab however and catches were good on Tillamook Bay. The best catches should be near the estuary entrance but rough ocean conditions will make for hazardous conditions for smaller craft. Make sure all of your safety equipment is up to date as this is the time of year when most fatalities take place.

Southwest – Another rough offshore weekend is forecast for the central and southern Oregon coast. When the ocean settles down, it holds the promise of excellent bottom fishing and decent crabbing.

Southwest Oregon got hit by rains rather than snow and as a consequence, many rivers swelled in height and flow. While most river levels are currently falling, a few continue to rise with the combination of rain and melting snow.

The Umpqua was flowing at over 15,000 cfs and approaching the 10 foot level at mid-week. While it was unfishable, it is expected to drop and fresh winter steelhead should be available through the mainstem and into the North Umpqua.

Coos River steelheaders picked up some fresh winters with the waters on the rise over the weekend. Fishing is expected to improve as the river levels drop after Christmas.

Rogue steelheaders who had been scoring a few bright winters even in low water last week, can shift out of stealth mode now that the water is no longer crystal clear. The river level is falling this week and it should fish well in the coming weekend.

As of Monday this week, the Elk was approaching the six foot level and exhibiting good color although no reports have come in. Chinook should still be available but the season typically winds down by this time of year.

The Chetco flow increased to nearly 10,000 cfs and 6.4 feet at Brookings overnight on December 21st. It has been dropping since and plunkers have scored fresh steelhead. The river was in good shape for fishing at mid-week. Be sure to avoid spawning salmon.

Eastern – Freezing weather has all fisheries shut down. Steelhead fishing in the John Day area was fair at best prior to the Arctic blast.

Forecasting for the fishing week of October 24th – October 30th, 2008

Oregon Fisheries Update:

Willamette Valley/Metro- Although chinook season remains open below Bonneville Dam, effort has dropped off significantly as anglers begin to focus more effort at coastal stocks and Columbia River sturgeon. Hatchery coho are still being caught however as Troutdale boats reported 14 hatchery coho retained for 23 boats.

Coho adults and jacks are now making up the bulk of the count at Bonneville Dam. 2008 jack counts mirror those of 2000 which lead to a record return of coho adults to Bonneville Dam in 2001. Steelhead numbers have reduced to a trickle but the fishery above the John Day Dam should be getting underway soon. Trollers using plugs near the surface often intercept quality steelhead well into November.

Sturgeon anglers are still finding success in the Columbia River Gorge. Although shakers make up the bulk of the catch, 1 keeper for every 3.5 boats was tallied over the weekend while bank anglers took a keeper for every 10 rods. Anglers fishing the Willamette and Multnomah Channel are finding shakers but cooling temperatures should improve chances for keeper fish later in the fall.

Sandy River anglers are concentrated at Cedar Creek. Good numbers of coho are present but a weather change will bring fresh fish and stimulate the bite.

Anglers working the Clackamas are finding water clarity a challenge. The coho are very timid and may be more receptive to flies or jigs fished with fluorocarbon leaders in low light conditions. Adults are turning dark and the season will close on the Sandy and Clackamas on October 31st.

Northwest – Although Tillamook Bay remains a bright spot on the North Oregon coast, fishing remains poor for most. Spinners were taking a few fish in the upper bay but herring trollers working the ideal low exchange tides near the mouth fared poorly over the weekend. An absence of 4 and 5-year old fish are a clear indication of poor ocean production when these juveniles went to sea.

Despite the poor results, some large fish are being taken. Lee Garboden landed a 36-pounder in Tillamook Bay on October 20th on a plug cut herring. Several fish over 40 pounds have graced the scales.

The Nehalem is still choked with wild coho with only a rare chinook being taken. The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers remain poor and effort is dropping.

Only a few ocean fishers ventured offshore to take advantage of deep water reefs in recent weeks. They were rewarded with large lingcod however but weekend weather predictions will keep most boats inshore.

Crabbing on most coastal estuaries typically picks up this time of year. Netarts and Tillamook are producing fair catches although a large number of softshell crab seem to be in the mix. The lower Columbia River was producing limits prior to the weekend. A large Humboldt Squid die-off at the mouth of the river may have drawn interest away from sport crabbers baits.

Several razor clam diggers did well over the weekend along Clatsop Beaches. The next minus tide series will occur early next week.

Southwest – The Siuslaw had a nice showing of chinook on the recent tide series. Fair numbers of fish were taken from Tiernan to Mapleton by trollers and bobber fishermen. Coho are also making a nice show and like many other areas along the coast, anglers are mistaking large wild coho for chinook. Anglers are required to release wild coho on all coastal river systems.

Wild coho can be kept however on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes. The action is beginning to pick and should stay consistent into mid-November. Plugs and spinners take most of the fish and with good returns on other systems, this fishery may be a real draw for anglers this year.

Anglers are anxiously awaiting precipitation to get the Elk and Sixes River fisheries underway. Given the current state of adult returns to Oregon coastal systems, anglers should keep expectations in check knowing that better years are ahead.

Bottomfishers will be challenged by ocean weather for the remainder of the season. When boats can get out, fishing is good for seabass. Lingcod have been harder to entice.

The Rogue River fishery is quickly winding down but south coast anglers have been motivated to fish the Smith River south of the boarder for large chinook. Spoon casters working near the mouth have taken many fish in the 40-pound class.

Eastern – Eastern Oregon steelheaders are gearing up for a productive season. Numbers should be bountiful on the Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers with only a short window to fish before ice hampers success.

Bass fishermen working the John Day River are still producing great catches in the 12 to 14-inch range. Fishing for bass should remain good in the deeper holes but this river will transition into steelhead fishing over the next few weeks. Steelhead are present at Rock Creek but action at Clarno should begin to pick up by mid-November.

Willamette Valley/Metro - Although salmon fishing is beginning to slow on the lower Columbia River, anglers fishing the gorge are still taking chinook at a rate of nearly 1 for every other boat. The action should hold up for just another few weeks but the quality of fish will begin to degrade.

Sturgeon anglers in the gorge continue to see sturgeon success climb with nearly a keeper per boat taken for boat anglers. Bank anglers are still taking keepers as well at a rate of 1 for every 6 rods.

Chinook and coho are crossing Willamette Falls by the hundreds every day. With a 34-day closure of the fish ladder, the actual totals will remain unknown. Sturgeon fishing is yielding few keepers.

Fishing has been fair to good on the North Santiam with good numbers of steelhead scattered from Mehema to Packsaddle Park. Bobber and jig will catch fish here.

Surfacing coho are frustrating Clackamas River anglers but upcoming rains should stimulate better action. Coho are being caught periodically on Eagle Creek when pods move through.

Coho fishing has been fair on the Sandy River with a significant number of jacks being taken. Action should be very good with precipitation. Use caution - There has been no update on the trees blocking the river above Dabney. Cedar Creek is busy with anglers.

Scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout are Henry Hagg Lake, Mt Hood College Pond, Timber Lake, Dexter Reservoir and Foster Reservoir.

Northwest – Large numbers of coho jacks are present in Young’s Bay near Astoria. Spinner casters working the tidewater areas are taking good numbers of fish. It looks much more promising for next years coho run.

Tillamook Bay anglers are struggling for results. With heavy concentrations of seaweed in the bay, anglers focused most of the week’s effort on a calm ocean but wild coho made up more of the catch than chinook.

Forecasted precipitation could clear the bay of vegetation but river levels are scheduled to rise making driftboating a good option. The Trask River will likely produce the best as the earliest returning fish are headed for this system. Some hatchery coho may also be available. Be sure to positively distinguish between large wild coho and chinook as multiple violations have recently been witnessed.

Also in need of clarification is the ocean crabbing season. Recently adopted to extend to October 15th beginning in 2009, crab pots have been spotted in the ocean this week. Violators will be cited until the ocean opens back up for crabbing on December 1st. Bay crabbing on many north coast estuaries, including Tillamook Bay, has picked up significantly in recent days.

The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers will continue to get chinook into October but catches are beginning to slow from the peak period. The Alsea and Siletz Rivers continue to disappoint.

Razor clam season re-opens along Clatsop Beaches on Wednesday with favorable tides for just the first 2 days. The next tide series will come at mid-month.

Southwest – The tides won't be a factor if wind and wave predictions are accurate; bar crossings into the ocean will likely be treacherous into the weekend.

Fall is an excellent time to pursue sea-run cutthroat trout. Most of the coastal rivers have runs and larger fish are taken through October.

Crabbing has been good out of Florence for big, hard Dungeness.

Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports, "Fished the Siuslaw yesterday by Florence. Chinook fishing is slow, but coho is better to good.

Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports, "Fishing on the Siuslaw has been fair. We're averaging 2-4 fish/day.

It's been spotty for chinook on the Coos River. A few chinook are falling daily for trolled, plug-cut herring in tidewater on the Coquille.

Winchester Bay has been fair to good for crabbing. Chinook and coho fishing has been worthwhile in tidewater on the Umpqua while smallmouth bass fishing continues to reward anglers upstream. Steelheading has slowed on the North Umpqua following wildfires.

Trollers in Rogue tidewater are catching chinook and coho. Crabbing has also been good. The Grants Pass stretch picked up for chinook over the weekend. Steelheading on the upper Rogue has been spotty.

The fall chinook ocean terminal fishery is open through Saturday, October 4th on the Chetco. Large salmon are taken every year during this brief opportunity.

When the ocean has laid down, boats out of Brookings have taken mostly limits of rockfish. Ling cod have been elusive but they are running large.

Diamond Lake fished well through the weekend with bait the top producer for trout to 20 inches.

Eastern – Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports the John Day's water is cooling off, and the bite is slow in the morning. but by 10 Am it gets going and is very good in the afternoon.

Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports from the Grande Ronde River that this is the year to catch steelhead (yes, plural) on a dry fly! As the second largest run on record enters the Snake River, steelhead are already occupying the Grande Ronde.

Trollers working the mouth of the Deschutes have been catching more salmon than steelhead lately. Spinners and plugs, especially in green have been producing results.

Fly anglers are doing well for trout on the lower Deschutes and have been surprised occasionally with steelhead hookups. Fishing for large browns on the middle Deschutes has been good as the spawn approaches. Anglers are also sight-fishing for big bull trout in the middle river.

Willamette Valley/Metro- Effective today, fishery managers adopted a 2-fish bag limit for chinook on the mainstem Columbia River from Warrior Rock to Bonneville Dam. Anglers fishing near Bonneville Dam have averaged a chinook per boat and success rates will likely continue to climb as temperatures begin to drop and more resident fish begin to congregate below the dam.

Sturgeon fishing is also picking up in the area with boat and bank anglers tallying good results. Quality keepers begin to also congregate near the dam with October a peak month for sportanglers.

The fish ladder at Willamette Falls remains closed for construction. Trollers have managed a few coho hookups around Meldrum Bar. Sturgeon fishing remains slow although a few keepers have been boated.

While the McKenzie River has risen a little, it continues to fish very well with caddis patterns.

The North Santiam is high but it is producing some steelhead. There's a chance for a hookup anywhere between Mehema and Packsaddle Park.

Clackamas anglers are catching a few coho but it has been slow.

Hundreds of coho can be seen on the main river but they're rarely hitting anything. Coho have entered Cedar Creek and are being caught below the hatchery. Fishing at the rivers mouth is also slow, despite high numbers of visible jumpers.

Henry Hagg Lake is scheduled to be planted with 8,000 legal-sized trout this week.

Northwest – Most anglers will begin focusing on the north coast, particularly Tillamook Bay as it offers the best chance at large fall chinook well into November. Action has recently slowed with a poor tide series but flurries of activity can be had near the estuary entrance and in the bubble fishery just outside of the jaws. Coho are still making up a good portion of the catch but many of those fish are wild and must be released. Improving tides should produce better results for upper bay spinner trollers by the weekend.

A mid-week weather system is predicted to rise river levels only slightly. Coho and a few chinook may take advantage of the rain freshet but much more precipitation is needed to justify the launching of driftboats.

Only a few chinook are being taken amongst the coho in Nehalem Bay. Action has been best around Wheeler but most anglers are frustrated with their results.

The Nestucca and Salmon Rivers do have fish present but numbers are down so persistence is necessary. Crabbing is a good alternative.

The Siletz and Alsea estuaries have not been productive so far. It’s still too early to call these systems a bust but it’s pretty clear that these runs have suffered for a second year in a row.

Tuna chasers are still in pursuit but last week, action was best out of Astoria where live bait produced good results for many ocean fishers. The weekend may offer another chance at offshore schools but the weather is likely to be more inconsistent into October.

Southwest – The weekend offshore forecast predicts improving conditions and moderating winds.

Trolling for chinook in the Umpqua estuary has been rewarding with some larger fish being hooked recently. Crabbing is good in Winchester Bay. Albacore have been taken this week at 60 to 70 miles offshore.

Boats launching out of Coos Bay did well for offshore rockfish with most getting limits but ling cod were hard to come by. The salmon derby will be held on Saturday, September 27th. Fishing in the river has been slow.

Bandon halibut fishers did well for large fish during the (perhaps) last all-depth opener over the past weekend.

Trollers in Rogue estuary have seen steady action for chinook with the occasional large coho showing in catches. Fishing upriver slowed dramatically over the weekend for steelhead and half-pounders while the Grants Pass stretch heated up for chinook. Sea-run cutthroat trout and half pounder fishing has been good in the Wild and Scenic section.

Most of the boats launching out of Brookings have been returning with six-fish limits of bottom fish and catches of ling cod are improving.

The Seventh Annual Salmon Derby at the Chetco terminal fishery will take place on October 1st through 4th.

Diamond Lake continues to fish well for rainbows to 16 inches with the occasional 18-incher being landed.

'Trophy-sized' rainbows are scheduled to be planted at Lost Creek Reservoir, Oak Springs, Willow Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Cole Rivers and Fish Lake. 'Trophy' trout measure 16 inches or better.

Eastern – Over 100 Chinook and more than 300 hatchery steelhead were counted at Sherars Falls last week although fishing was slow over the weekend for both steelhead and trout anglers. Anglers are taking some nice brown trout on the middle river. The upper Deschutes which is fishing well for large brook trout now, will close between Little Lava Lake and Crane Prairie at the end of September.

Willamette Valley/Metro- The mainstem recreational sportfishery is now closed from Bonneville Dam to Buoy 10. Anglers fishing in the Tongue Point to Bonneville fishery harvested an estimated 9,100 chinook even though catch rates were not as good as many had predicted. The Columbia River remains open for salmon and steelhead from Bonneville Dam upstream until the end of the year or the catch guideline is met.

Willamette sturgeon fishing remains slow but Bonneville bank anglers continue to witness improving catches. Smelt is a top bait this time of year and catches should continue to improve into October.

The McKenzie is producing good catches of trout and providing fair to good steelheading below Leaburg Dam. Trout fishing is excellent above the dam as well.

The North Santiam will remain high for the rest of the month. Steelheading is fair with the water temperature optimum.

With the season winding gown, anglers are picking up a few bright steelhead on the Clackamas from McIver Park To Barton Park. Coho on the lower river has been spotty but has provided some productive days. Fishery managers increased the daily bag limit to 3 fin-clipped coho per day on the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers as well as Eagle Creek due to higher than average returns to these systems.

Rain is needed to turn on coho fishing on the Sandy but a few fish are coming from the mouth where small spinners are responsible for the limited catches.

Pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285) reports that he’s caught a couple of coho trolling small spinners at the mouth if the Sandy.

Mt. Hood College Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake and Timber Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.

Northwest – Coastal fall chinook fishing is underway on most coastal estuaries. Tillamook Bay offers the most consistent opportunity into December and catches in the upper bay were productive for spinner trollers on Saturday. Seaweed is prominent in the bay making spinner trolling the more feasible technique as anglers can whip weed from their lines and keep their gear fishing. High tide exchanges through the weekend should offer up ample opportunity for anglers.

Nehalem anglers are finding some chinook but coho catches have been pretty impressive. The bulk of the coho are wild but the hatchery keepers have been running exceptionally large this year. Ocean water is cold, in the mid to high 40 degree range making ocean and lower bay fishing challenging. The fish are responding better in the warmer waters of the upper reaches of the estuary.

The Nestucca and Salmon River chinook fisheries are peaking in the tidewater sections and effort is increasing on both systems. Bobber and bait or trolled spinners will take chinook. Tides play a critical role in the success of these fisheries.

The Columbia River near Astoria is closed to all fishing but catch and release of sturgeon using fresh jigged anchovies for bait is excellent near Tongue Point.

The Necanicum River tidewater should have some chinook available but a strong rain is what most anglers hope for in this river system. Sea-run cutthroat trout remains a viable catch and release option but anglers can lobby the ODF&W commission on Friday in Forest Grove to support a regulation change for a limited consumptive fishery on the north coast. Details are available on the ODF&W website.

Pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports that fishing is picking up on the Siuslaw and fish are being caught every day.

In the last scheduled stocking of the year, Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Sunset Lake, Town Lake and Foster Reservoir will receive hatchery trout.

Southwest – Halibut fishing was spotty over the weekend with Saturday too rough to allow most boats to cross and Sunday producing mixed results. Likely the last opener of the year is scheduled for this weekend (September 20 and 21) with a 2-fish bag limit per angler. Tuna fishing was good over the past weekend and while waters are cooling off the central Oregon coast, there will likely be at least one more week of opportunity.

The ODFW Commission is considering proposals to either allow recreational ocean crabbing year 'round or to extend it to mid October rather than closing it in August.

Trollers are doing well for coho salmon in tidewater on the Umpqua but not so well for chinook. Fishing has been most productive between Reedsport and Gardner. Crabbing has been good in Winchester Bay.

Coos Bay and the lower river are producing mostly jacks with the occasional adult showing in catches. Coquille anglers are seeing a higher percentage of larger chinook.

The Rogue estuary is fishing well daily but the season is nearly over at this time of year. Trollers using herring or anchovy are taking a mix of large adults and jacks in crowded conditions. Boaters crossing into the ocean have done well for lingcod.

Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for trout to 20 inches. Early mornings have been most productive.

Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports that Lake Billy Chinook is fishing well for bull trout. He has taken fish from 12 to 22 inches and one nearly 24.

Paulina is producing limits of foot-long-or-better bright kokanee despite the need to sort out fish which are starting to color up as spawning season approaches.

Central and Eastern Oregon – Pro guide Steve Fleming (1-888-624-9424) reports that the John Day River has continued to offer excellent smallmouth bass fishing as the weather and water cools.

Fishing has slowed at Green Peter with the lower water level.


Eastern – Numbers of steelhead in the Trap at Sherars Falls has been picking up as have catches on the lower Deschutes. Fishing has been best from Mack's Canyon to the mouth. Results for redsides have been fair to good depending on hatch activity.