Updated for June 2nd, – June 8th, 2006
Oregon Fishing Update
Willamette Valley/Metro - Angling for Columbia River spring Chinook continues to be a disappointment. High flows have slowed catch rates and migration-even for the prolific shad run. As flows subside, the fishing should improve, particularly in the gorge.
Although shad migration has slowed, success rates are still high. A quality fishery for beginner anglers, anglers anchoring safely in 10 to 12 feet of water continue to experience great action on small spoons and shad darts. Shad make great bait for the oversize sturgeon in the area but anglers need to respect the new deadline at Marker 85.
Success rates have slightly fallen on oversized and keeper sturgeon in the gorge but action for shakers remains great.
Estuary sturgeon fishers are still finding the best success upstream of Tongue Point but pockets of quality keepers are being taken downstream of the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Small crab remain a nuisance for sturgeon anglers in the lower river out of Hammond.
As of May 24th, counts of spring Chinook at Willamette Falls hit 23,337 with summer steelhead approaching 6,000. The water temperature had dropped to 56 degrees at the Falls on May 30th. High water combined with low temperatures has stalled Chinook action in the lower river and Multnomah Channel.
Shad fishing has been hit or miss on the lower Willamette but in the right slot with the right lure, it's possible to catch scores of them. The Clackamas is getting heavy angling pressure, particularly at the parks where bank access is available. Steelhead fishing has been very slow, however. A handful of springers are being taken daily.
Sandy River springer anglers were picking up fish in the upper river late last week before the level rose and water roiled over the weekend. Action had been fair to good on bait from Cedar Creek downstream. Conditions have shown improvement this week.
The South Santiam came up several inches over the weekend but had fallen back to low levels the first of the week. Springer fishing has improved. The North Santiam is finally dropping into fishable shape this week. Combined with a rise in water temperatures, fishing should finally pick up here.
Chinook fishing on the McKenzie has improved.
Faraday Lake, Harriet Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake and upper McKenzie River will be stocked with trout this week.
Northwest – Despite the great tides, spring salmon action on Tillamook Bay was fair at best over the weekend. The low front that greeted holiday campers didn't help matters. The upper bay high slack bite is no longer but most fish are being found closer to low slack tide. The tide series shifts this week however making lower bay herring trolling a better option.
Seas were very calm early this week and ocean crabbers fishing fresh bait were rewarded with fair catches. Salmon action in the ocean remained slow but bottomfishers were rewarded with easy limits.
Sturgeon fishing remains an option on Tillamook Bay but effort has dropped with the opportunities on the Columbia. Sand shrimp remains the best bait but small crab robbing anglers of more baits in the upper bay as the spring progresses.
Locations scheduled to be stocked with trout this week include Alder Lake, Big Creek Reservoir # 1 and #2, Buck Lake, Cleawox Lake, Dune Lake, Erhart Lake, Georgia Lake, North Georgia Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Perkins Lake and Thissel Pond.
Southwest - Springer fishing is still spotty on the North Umpqua but is expected to improve as the water warms. Shad have entered the river in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is heating up.
Shad fishing was good on the Coos River over the weekend. A few stripers were taken in the Coos and the Coquille.
The only reliable springer action on the Rogue is the crowded hatchery hole where scores are being caught daily. The lower river, flowing fast with water in the mid-50s, is slow and the Grants Pass stretch is dead.
Several streams and rivers opened for trout on Saturday, May 27th. Fishing for sea-run cutthroat has been fair to good. Bait may be used for these fish only in tidewater. Above tidewater, only artificial lures and flies may be used.
South coast waters scheduled for trout stocking this week are Rogue River (Section 5), Willow Lake, and Fish Lake.
Eastern - On the Deschutes, flyfishing is improving with Golden Stones and Salmon flies in abundance now. These will be the dominant patterns through June.
Snow was common on the high lakes last weekend. Odell delivered kokanee to deep jiggers while Crane Prairie is slow but offers fine trout action. Fishing is good for kokanee at Paulina where a few brown trout are also being taken. Green Peter water is very low and at last report, getting lower.
Scheduled to be planted with rainbows this week in the Deschutes watershed week are Badger Lake, Clear Lake, Frog Lake, Lawrence Lake, Olallie Lake, Smock Prairie Reservoir and Spring Creek.
Washington fishing report
