Forecasting for the fishing week of March 17th, – March 23rd, 2006
Oregon Fisheries Update:
Willamette Valley/Metro- The greatest amount of effort is being deployed for spring Chinook on the mainstem Columbia. Although success rates have been low for salmon anglers, the sturgeon bite is even worse. Sealions are experiencing the best catch rates with high concentrations of the marine mammals reported in the river below Longview. Plugs are taking an occasional hatchery Chinook from the mouth of the Willamette and downstream. Water temperatures remain near 42 degrees which significantly slows upstream migration. Catch statistics indicate nearly 80% of the salmon are fin-clipped and almost 90% of them are the “snow-belly” variety (white undersides) which indicates they are destined for the Willamette River.
Recent precipitation has decreased visibility and lowered water temperatures on the lower Willamette River. Winter steelhead counts are over the 4,000 mark but there have been no additional spring chinook to accompany the three which crossed last week.
Fishing for steelhead and the few spring chinook present is slow in the Willamette. If spring chinook is the target, the best chance at taking one is by trolling herring with the current in the mainstem below Multnomah Channel.
Sturgeon fishing is also slow but most productive in the lower portion where a few keepers and lots of shakers have been taken in the Kelly Point area.
The only place Chinook have been reported recently on the Clackamas is at the mouth where hog lines trying for springers are forming daily. Steelheaders have been having consistent action and fair numbers of broodstock hatchery fish are showing in the mix. Summer steelhead have been taken on the Clackamas River.
Sandy River steelheaders picked up a few hatchery fish over the last week on bobber and jigs. Summer steelhead plants have decreased, so should the spring catch of these fish.
Fishing is very slow in the Santiam River where the water is frigid from snowmelt. Those who would like to try should start low on the system for best results, working upstream in the weeks to come as the water warms.The following waters will be stocked with trout this week in the Willamette Zone in anticipation of Spring Break: Benson Lake, Bethany Pond, Blue Lake, Commonwealth Lake, Dorman Pond, Huddleston Pond, Mt. Hood Pond, Roslyn Lake, Sheridan Pond, Alton Baker Pond, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Dorena Reservoir, East Freeway Lake, E. E. Wilson Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and Waverly Lake.
Small catches of sturgeon are being taken in the mainstem Columbia reservoirs above Bonneville Dam. The best walleye fishing is taking place in The Dalles Pool where boats are averaging a little better than 2 keepers per boat.
Northwest – Fishing guides participating in last weeks North Coast Rendezvous netted nearly 150 steelhead for the 2 day tournament. Most anglers concentrated their efforts on Tillamook area streams with the smaller rivers producing the best results late in the week. Fishing on the Wilson, upper Trask and Kilchis Rivers was excellent on Friday. The Nestucca fished well over the weekend but heavy pressure limits the success. Quality keepers are coming from this river however. Most anglers agree, it has been an excellent steelhead year- especially for the wild run.
Later next week, the tides shape up for some decent sturgeon fishing on Tillamook Bay. Fish are scattered throughout the estuary and sand shrimp is working the best. Crabbing remains fair on Tillamook and Netarts Bays.
Siletz River steelheaders continue to enjoy fair to good fishing. Some boats are dialing up double digits and almost half of the catch is broodstock keepers. Sidedrifters are producing the best results but anglers shouldn’t rule out alternative methods that give biting fish a different option.The Alsea and the Siuslaw rivers have been reliable if not great for winter steelhead.
Evening tides produced good results for clam diggers on Clatsop County beaches over the weekend. Favorable tides won’t return until the 23rd of this month.Trout planting this week in the Northwest Zone is extensive, so take a breath if you're reading this aloud: Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir #1 and #2, Buck Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Devil's Lake, Dune Lake, Eckman Lake, Elbow Lake, Erhart Lake, Georgia Lake, Lost Lake (in Lane County), Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lake, Thissel Pond and Woahink Lake.
Southwest - No significant change in South Coast water levels is projected for the weekend. If this holds true, it means many rivers will be getting low and clear again unless another storm front moves through.Results on the Coquille River have been largely flow-dependent. At a decent level and color, the steelheading has been very good this year.
Several spring chinook have been taken on the Umpqua in the Scottsburg area as the season gets underway here. Look for steelhead from Rock creek downstream although results have been unpredictable here even when conditions are ideal.
The Rogue River crested on the 9th and has been dropping steadily since that date. Anglers may expect to find decent steelheading and increasing numbers of spring chinook.Trout planting in this region will take place at Eel Lake, Johnson Mill Pond, Ben Irving Reservoir Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Loon Lake, Marie Lake and Plat I Reservoir.
Eastern - Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports steelheaders in the Eastern region of the state are scoring catches of steelhead at an average of 2 hours per fish. In order of productivity, the Imnaha, Umatilla and Grande Ronde Rivers are producing great results.
Trout fishing remains closed on all streams and some lakes however McNary, Hat Rock and Tatone Ponds will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout and fishing is expected to be good.
