Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Report from TGF

Oregon's most complete and accurate fishing update.

Updated for April 21st, – April 27th, 2006

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - To date, just over 200 adult spring Chinook have passed Bonneville Dam. Although managers remain hopeful, they are far from extending the sport season with passage so low. With the run mostly comprised of later returning 4 year-old fish, passage was forecasted to peak later than previous years.

On par with last year, sturgeon catch and effort is once again gaining momentum in the Columbia and the gorge is getting most of the attention. Boat anglers averaged good catches over the previous catch and keep opener and shaker action is picking up as well. Portland to Longview boats also showed improvement with better than 1 keeper per boat for the few anglers out there pursuing them. Smelt remains the top bait. The estuary fishery remains slow for sturgeon at this time.

Captain Jack LaFond (800-270-7962) reports, "Upriver, Walleye fishing below the John Day Dam has been fair to spotty, but now that the full moon is waning the bite should pick up. Water temps are good, spills at the dam are strong and that helps to concentrate the fish to known current breaks."

Chinook numbers at Willamette Falls are encouraging but not impressive. Springers are crossing in double digits with modest improvement as the total for the year as of April 12th reached 126. Water temperatures remain at 51 degrees as of the latest data on April 14th. Improvement is overdue.

The lower Willamette is running high at this writing. Catches were slow but steady last week for anchor fishers soaking prawn rigs and for trollers dragging plug-cut herring in the Portland Harbor.

Bait fishers are hooking numerous smolts in the Clackamas and fishing for steelhead remains the best bet on the river. Spring Chinook are present in low numbers however, the cool water is keeping them from making a big push into the river. Algae growth has started to be a problem here.

Sandy anglers are taking a few summer steelhead and fewer springers but prospects will improve later in the season. Late winter steelhead are still in the mix but the bulk of the catch are natives. The river was high and roiled over the weekend with conditions showing improvement this week.

Many anglers are geared in anticipation for the weekend trout opener. In preparation, many lakes have been stocked with catchable rainbows.

In the Northern Willamette watershed, Benson Lake, Bethany, Blue Lake, Commonwealth Lake, Dorman Pond, Haldeman Pond, Harriet Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Mt. Hood Pond, Roslyn Lake, Salmonberry Lake and Trojan Pond will be planted with hatchery trout this week.

Scheduled to be stocked in the Southern Willamette watershed is Alton Baker Pond, Blue River Reservoir, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, the Coast Fork of the Willamette River, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Timber Linn Lake and Waverly Lake.

Northwest – Steelhead catches once again turned on for North Coast anglers over the weekend. The slight rise in river levels drew in good numbers of late winter run fish and the Nestucca and Wilson produced the best numbers. The Wilson rose just under a foot through the weekend and gave the necessary color to the river to stimulate a bite. Most anglers agree, it was one of the best winter steelhead seasons in a long time.

Chinook were rumored to have been hooked in the lower drifts of the Wilson but no confirmed catches were reported. As area rivers drop, the Trask and Wilson should be fair prospects for a short while longer when the river becomes too clear again.

In Tillamook Bay, sturgeon fishing has slowed but some fish remain in the west channel. Spring Chinook have been hooked in the upper and lower bay for the few boats participating in the fishery. These early fish tend to be the larger 5-year olds often exceeding 20 pounds.

Crabbing remains poor in the local estuaries.

The ocean remains volatile but a short break in the weather may afford some bottomfishing opportunity over the weekend. Afternoon winds from the NW may curtail effort but indicate a more typical weather pattern that produces the necessary upwelling effect for the out-migrating smolts that are now exiting coastal estuaries.

A pod of killer whales was witnessed at the mouth of Tillamook Bay earlier this week.

Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoirs # 1 and # 2, Buck Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Elbow Lake, Erhart Lake, Georgia Lake, Hebo Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Lost Lake (Lane County), Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lake, Spring Lake, Sutton Lake, Thissel Pond and Vernonia Pond will receive hatchery trout this week.

Southwest - Offshore bottom fishing was good over the weekend out of central and South coast ports. Ocean conditions this week are conducive to offshore bottomfishing. Surf perch fishing from ocean beaches is rewarding anglers with decent catches.

South coast spring Chinook are running a little late but offshore boats are marking salmon which should be entering rivers in the coming weeks.

Spring Chinook fishing has been slow in the lower Umpqua, but a few are being taken daily.

The lower Rogue River has been improving for Chinook with about every other boat landing fish last week. Levels increased, peaking on April 15th but the water will continue to drop into the coming weekend and with improving temperatures, prospects are good for springers.

South Ten Mile Lake, USFS Lake, Ben Irving Reservoir, Clearwater #2, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Hemlock Lake, Herbert's Pond, Lake of the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Loon Lake, and Plat I Reservoir will be stocked with trout for the weekend.

Diamond Lake, scheduled to receive 20,000 trout this week, will not be stocked until mid-May when the lake is expected to be free of ice. Rotenone will be used in September to rid the lake of trout-competitive tui chub.

Eastern - Although the Umatilla River opened April 16th for spring Chinook, no fish have currently passed Three Mile Dam. Steelhead fishing closed on eastern Oregon rivers on April 15th.

Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports on trout fishing in detail for Central Oregon lakes in the full length version of our report. Bill cites excessive snow will delay the trout opener on many lakes but most reservoirs will enjoy ample water supply this season.

Century Gravel Pit, Fall River, Haystack Reservoir, Shevlin Pond and Sprague Gravel Pit will be planted with rainbow trout.

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Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River anglers will see their fishery close at midnight Thursday, April 13th. Although the recreational handle of spring Chinook may indicate the pre-season prediction was correct, Bonneville Dam passage needs to improve dramatically before further opportunities can be explored.

Success had dropped off for mainstem fishers and water releases that flush smolts downstream are partly to blame. Prior to the increase in flow, the river from Altoona to Westport had posted the best results.

Spring Chinook passage at Willamette Falls remains low with only 35 over as of April 7th. Summer steelhead counts are doing somewhat better with year-to-date totals nearing the 350 mark. While the lower Willamette level rose on Monday this week, the flow didn't increase significantly. The water temperature has yet to top 51 degrees at the Falls.

These conditions are reflected in the fishing. It's very slow. Multnomah Channel has produced modest catches recently. It is the route frequently taken by spring Chinook and the water is often a couple of degrees warmer than at the Falls. There have been recent signs of improvement at Oregon City but consistency is not the rule. Sellwood Bridge has also slowed.
Most of the summer steelhead heading up the Willamette are bound for the Santiam system and while there are too few this early to provide prime fishing, anglers are taking some along with a few late wild winter fish. Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754- 6411) reports, "The McKenzie River is providing some great trout catches with size 14 dark caddis producing the best opportunities."
Low on the Clackamas offers the best chance of a spring Chinook or summer steelhead encounter. Success remains low however.

Recent rainfall may improve prospects on the Sandy for springers, but reports lately haven't been encouraging.

Haldeman Pond, Dorena Reservoir, East Freeway Lake, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week.

Northwest – North Coast steelhead success remain dormant with water desperately needed for a fresh influx of fish reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808). Area anglers are in hot pursuit of the first confirmed salmon harvested from the bay but rumors have circulated about a wild fish released early in the week.

Sturgeon effort has dropped off and so has the catch. Better tides begin this week however and a combination salmon/sturgeon trip is a viable option for Tillamook Bay anglers. Spinners in the upper bay for salmon and sand shrimp in the middle section could prove productive.

The ocean remains closed due to high swells and will likely remain that way into the weekend. Crabbing is slow on most north coast estuaries.

Waters planted this with hatchery trout include Battle Lake, Bay City Reservoir, Cape Meares Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Devil's Lake, Lake Lytle, Smith Lake, South Lake, Tahoe Lake, Town Lake and Woahink Lake.

Southwest - With a calm ocean on Monday, April 10th, South coast bottom fishers had easy passage. Results were good with numerous ling cod taken up to 30 pounds along with good rockfish catches.

With the exception of the closure South of Florence, recreational ocean salmon fishing is open but no catches have been reported.

Surf perch fishing off the ocean beaches remains a productive pastime. Any rig capable of throwing sufficient weight to hold bottom will work. Clams, shrimp or mussels are effective baits.

Offshore halibut season opens seven days a week on May 1st but is restricted to waters inside the 40-fathom line from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. The first all-depth fishery of the 2006 spring season will open May 11 through 13th with more days to follow. Halibut quotas, up 4% from last year, have doubled over the last decade.

It's been scratch fishing for springers on the mainstem Umpqua River over the last week. Any anglers landing a salmon considers himself very lucky. Sturgeon catches out of Reedsport are mostly oversized.

Rogue steelheaders are scoring fish in the upper river. It is hoped that warmer temperatures this week will take the chill off the water in the lower Rogue and improve the spring Chinook fishery.

Eel Lake, Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Emigrant Lake, Cole River, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Lake, Lost Creek Lake, Applegate Lake, Selmac Lake and Willow Lake will be planted with trout rainbow trout this week.

Eastern - Steelhead fishing is open from the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation to the Columbia with the exception of Shears Falls downstream to Buckhollow Creek. Until 4/22, trout and steelhead fishing is closed from the northern boundary of the reservation upstream to the Pelton re-regulation dam. Trout fishing is holding up well on the lower Deschutes. The middle Deschutes (Sunriver Zone) and upper river are closed.

Many central Oregon lakes and rivers are currently closed or lack access until roads are opened. Some waters are scheduled to open April 22nd, others on May 26th. As always, call 511 for road conditions and check the regulations before making a cast.

Hatchery trout will be planted in the South Fork Crooked River, Pinehollow Reservoir, Rock Creek Reservoir and Taylor Lake this week.

Further east, steelheading has also dropped off significantly on the Grande Ronde and Umatilla. Most fish are in the process of spawning states pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688).

Oregon fishing reports

Oregon fishing guide

Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Columbia River salmon anglers are reporting steady catches but anglers remain restricted to fishing below the I-5 bridge. Surprisingly, some of the best fishing has taken place in the troll fishery when flows aren't strong enough to work plugs in the current. To put this fishery in perspective, boat anglers that manage 2 to 3 fish for a days play are doing quite good. Dam passage at Bonneville remains lower than biologists hoped for and managers will meet this afternoon to discuss the fate of the sport and commercial fisheries. Pro guide Brad Shride (206-463-9230) reports this, "I have been down fishing on the Columbia River for Springers out of the Cathlamet area. There are some Springers around in the 10 to 12 pound range with an occasional 15 to 20 pound Springer. This week the afternoon bite has been the ticket to multiple hook-up success. Trolling cut plug herring has been the offering of choice but the tides this week have been very conducive to anchor and plugs on the out going tide. Chrome, chartreuse and chrome, chartreuse with orange seems to be the color of choice. Put in your time and you will be rewarded with a Spring Salmon. I will be heading to the Cowlitz River after this is over.

Last minute action notice that the Columbia River spring Chinook fishery will remain open for the time being. The next compact meeting to discuss the fishery will be on Tuesday, April 11th. Managers may then decide to close the fishery as early as April 13th but a short term notice for an earlier closure can be a possibility.

Active hazing of sealions is taking place at Bonneville Dam but most question the effectiveness of the tactics employed. For more information on what exactly they are doing about the marine mammal issue at Bonneville, go to: http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/tmt/agendas/2006/0405.html

Speculation in this space a couple of weeks ago turned out to be correct. The harassment of sea lions on the Columbia by ODFW officials, escalated from noise to rubber bullets, has proven mostly ineffective. Since these voracious mammals are decimating salmon, steelhead and most recently breeder sturgeon populations, the State officials have applied for a Federal permit to use real bullets.

Water temperature at Willamette Falls has hit the 50-degree mark but the warmer water has not yet been reflected in a dramatic increase in spring Chinook passage as hoped. The year-to-date total was a only 30 at the last report on April 4th although trollers and anchor fishers are experiencing an improvement in the action on the lower river.

Sellwood Bridge remains popular and crowded. While the improved water temps haven't motivated springers to migrate, it has improved the sturgeon bite. The lower river and Multnomah Channel has produced lots of shakers and several keepers.

Steelheading was fair to good on the Sandy for weekend anglers. There are still finclipped fish available thanks to the broodstock program. The pressure is high with many anglers trying for fish before the run winds down.

It's slow going on the Clackamas but a few steelhead are being landed here as well.
Trout have been stocked this week at Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, St. Louis Pond, Trojan Pond, Alton Baker Pond, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir.

Mid Columbia - The Dalles Pool remains the best option for walleye anglers but the Bonneville Pool was also productive with almost a fish per rod recorded over the weekend.

Northwest - River levels remain low on most north coast streams and steelhead effort and success has dropped off. With the good fishing this season anglers experienced in the region, it is logical to believe the next rain freshet will bring further steelhead success. Late winter fish, summer steelhead and an early spring Chinook are all options. Downstream running steelhead will also grab gear so practice safe catch and release tactics.

Sturgeon fishing has slowed somewhat and pressure was heavy last weekend with favorable weather and the opener of spring Chinook season. Success will not be significant until later in April. Big tide exchanges will bring the best results.

Crabbing remains challenging on most north coast estuaries and the ocean hasn't been an option for sport boats lately.

It's getting late in the year for steelheading on the Siletz. The few taken above tidewater over the weekend were natives.

Trout were planted this week at Carter and Cleawox lakes.

Southwest - Many South coast rivers closed for steelhead on April 1st. Be sure to check the regulations before venturing out.

South Umpqua steelheaders are enjoying excellent water conditions and good catch rates this week. Boaters and bank anglers experienced a slight improvement in spring Chinook catches over the weekend but the run is getting off to a slow start.

Springers are getting stronger in numbers, as the water temps continue to rise. Lower Rogue boaters are reporting 2-3 landings a day, with anchovy and spinners working best. This fishing should get stronger this week as river levels are dropping a bit and temperatures are approaching ideal. On the Upper Rogue, near Grants Pass, steelhead fishing remains consistent but may be slowing down just a bit.

The Chetco, Sixes and Elk rivers are seeing drops in steelhead numbers but increasingly good spring chinook fishing. These rivers need to increase in temperature about two degrees for fishing to be ideal. The size and quality of the early fish is phenomenal, which bodes well for the next few weeks on all southern Oregon rivers!

Bradley Lake, Lower Empire Lake, Upper Empire Lake and Powers Pond were planted this week with hatchery trout.

Eastern Oregon - Northeast Oregon and southeast Washington are now suffering from similar high-water problems that the west side was dealing with a few weeks ago. Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports, "The Grande Ronde seems to be at the upper limits of good fishing, but the results are defying expectations and steelheaders continue to find success, even in the current high-water conditions."

The best prospect at the moment is the Wallowa River, which, so far, has missed all of the spring freshets and remains at late-winter water levels and is relatively low and clear. The catch rate there likely remains near last week's rate of four-hours per fish.

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Oregon Fishing Report

Updated for March 31st, – April 6th, 2006
Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Biologists remain in a quandary as to what actions they should take in the Columbia River spring Chinook fishery. Commercial seasons remain closed and a sportfishing closure will get considerable attention next week. Fish passage at Bonneville is alarmingly low although accurate run size updates aren't feasible until around mid-April. Sport catches had improved in the lower river with Altoona to Longview offering the best options. One boat reported a 6 fish limit on Sunday trolling herring in Clifton Channel. They were however the exception.

Sturgeon fishing remains best in the reservoirs above Bonneville Dam. Only a few keepers are being taken in The Dalles and John Day Pools. Keeper catches below Bonneville remain poor. Walleye catches in these pools remains fair but has dropped off slightly from previous weeks.
Flows on the lower Willamette have increased slightly from 16,800 on March 24th to 20,000 cfs as of March 17th. As hoped, the recent warm rains and relatively mild weather has increased temperatures at Willamette Falls to 48 degrees.

Catch rates should steadily increase as water temperatures climb above 50 degrees and good reports continue to come out of the Sellwood area. Sturgeon fishing is good for shakers but a keeper is a rarity.

Clackamas anglers are seeing fair, steady results for winter steelhead along with a few spring Chinook taken near the mouth. Action will improve as the water temperature rises. Steelhead are spawning on Eagle Creek so use your best judgment.

Pro guide Trevor Storlie (503-307-5601) reports Sandy River steelhead anglers had a good fishing last week with a mix of nearly 50/50 wild to hatchery fish. Good numbers of fish should have moved to the Marmot area where low water techniques like bobbers and jigs should take good numbers of fish. A few more spring Chinook have been taken in the lower river.
With Willamette waters warming, smallmouth bass have begun to shake off their winter lethargy and move about in search of food. While catches have been light, it won't be long until this fishery turns on. Valley ponds will soon be an option for both bass and panfish.
Following heavy stoking of hatchery trout in Oregon lakes in anticipation of spring break, planting this week will consist of Alton Baker Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond and Junction City Pond.

Northwest – Steelheaders on the North Oregon Coast had to deal with low water conditions over the weekend. Catch rates have dropped but some fresh schools of steelhead are moving in with the fair afternoon tides. The Wilson, Trask and Nestucca are the top producers reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) but the Nehalem should come online by midweek with wild fish making up the bulk of the catch. Check the regulations for the North Coast streams that close on April 1st. Spring Chinook fishing opens in Tillamook Bay, the Wilson and Trask Rivers on the 1st but don't expect much until mid-April at the earliest.

The late afternoon tides have yielded good numbers of sturgeon on Tillamook Bay. A 58½ incher was taken by Jase Beard of Wyoming on 3/28. Sand shrimp are producing the best results although mud shrimp are a close second.

Crabbing is fair in Tillamook Bay but better outside in the ocean. A big swell was present early in the week but some bottomfishers got outside for rockfish action on jigs and herring.
Razor clammers did excellent over the weekend on Clatsop Beaches during the evening tides. The tide series shifts to the morning series starting on the 30th and if the surf cooperates, diggers should score easy limits.

Devil's Lake will be stocked with 6,500 hatchery rainbows this week.

Here's your chance to give something back to the Nestucca. The annual fin-clipping party is Saturday, April 8th at the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Salmon hatchery where 105,000 spring Chinook smolts will be processed. No experience is necessary and the job usually wraps up in early afternoon. They'll have doughnuts starting at 8 A.M., coffee and soft drinks on hand and will stop mid-day for a barbeque lunch. The hatchery is on Netarts Bay. It's a good time and a very good cause.

Southwest - Fishing for ling cod and rockfish from jetties and rocky outcroppings has been worthwhile recently when wind and wave action have allowed. Surf perch fishing on ocean beaches has also been good.

Rivers will rise and fall slightly with passing showers this week but overall should be in decent shape for steelhead and spring chinook hopefuls. Rivers are forecast to gradually drop over the weekend.

Mainstem Umpqua steelheaders continue to see fresh, willing fish enter the system but the attention is shifting to the springers which are available up to Elkton. Steelheading has been slow in the North and South forks. Sturgeon fishing below Reedsport was good again this week.
Coos and Coquille anglers are seeing fair results for steelhead. The Smith River has been productive for steelhead at times but is a volatile system subject to rapid changes with weather fronts.

Spring chinook anglers are seeing a gradual improvement in catches on the lower Rogue. Fishing is better for winter steelhead in the Grants Pass stretch but is still reported as only fair. Steelheading is expected to improve in the upper river.

Hatchery trout are scheduled to be planted in Bradley Lake, Upper and Lower Empire Lake and Johnson Mill Pond.

Eastern - Eastern Oregon steelhead season is starting to wind down for the year and area anglers were greeted with rapidly rising rivers last week. Needless to say, success rates plummeted under these conditions reports pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688). Action will likely continue to drop off. Smallmouth bass fishing has started up on the John Day River, but muddy water starting the 27th put off such pursuits for a few days. It will be worthwhile when the weather breaks.

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