Willamette Valley/Metro - Salmon migration at Bonneville Dam is at its peak; an awesome sight to witness whether you recreationally fish or not. Despite good numbers of fish passing Bonneville Dam, mainstem sportfishing remains closed downstream and only open through Saturday upstream to McNary Dam. Bank and boat anglers are catching some salmon near the John Day Dam.
The most productive section of the Columbia River, near Bonneville Dam, closed to sturgeon fishing on May 1st. There are a few keepers being taken from the Portland to Longview stretch.
The ideal temperature for spring chinook success is considered to be 52 degrees. It hit 53 at Willamette Falls on May 5th. It's extremely late, but if springers are coming, it'll happen now. Catch rates of springers and steelhead in the lower Willamette and the Multnomah Channel have improved recently. Sturgeon fishing has remained worthwhile around St. Johns.
Fishing for summer steelhead is gradually improving on the North Santiam. With better weather, warmer water and fish crossing at Willamette Falls, it will continue to pick up in weeks to come.
Although the water temperature is rising on the McKenzie, hatches have not been sufficient to trigger rising fish. It will improve as temperatures rise.
Fishing is slow on the Clackamas but a few summers have been taken and a couple of spring chinook were been landed over the past week.
Wild steelhead, summers and the rare spring chinook have been hooked on the Sandy over the past week.
Youth angling events are being held at Junction City Pond and Sunnyside Park south of Portland on Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. respectively.
Scheduled for trout planting are Benson Lake, Hartman Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Sheridan Pond, West Salish Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Carmen Reservoir, Clear Lake, Detroit Reservoir, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake, Salmon Creek, Sunnyside Park Pond, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and the Willamette River Middle Fork above Hills Cr Reservoir.
Northwest – Beginning on May 10th, retention for sturgeon from the Wauna Powerlines to Buoy 10 reopens for keepers in the 45 to 60 inch range. Catch rates may be slow to start given the cold water conditions and high flows from dam spills.
There has been a confirmed spring chinook from the Tillamook district but the current minus tide series should benefit the estuary fishery in the upper reaches this weekend. Sturgeon may also be an option although success for these fish has dropped off since winter.
River flows continue to drop on north coast streams with effort light. Dark winter steelhead are making up the bulk of the catch but spring chinook are sure to arrive soon.
The extended ocean forecast may allow for fishable conditions for those in pursuit of rockfish over the weekend. The ocean will be the best chance for keeper crab.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) reports taking limits of gaper clams recently then jigging a decent number of herring for the first time this year.
From Cape Falcon near Manzanita to Humbug Mountain, the season’s first all-depth halibut fishery opens today. It is the first of several 3-day seasons that will run this year and catches are likely to be good out of Newport, Depoe Bay and Garibaldi.
Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Munsel Lake and Sutton Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Southwest – Spring Chinook fishing has been slow on the Umpqua but anglers are hopeful that more fish are on their way. Fewer than 20 springers have been counted at Winchester Dam.
Steelheading improved on the upper Rogue with the water warming. Over 7,800 winter steelhead and a handful of springers have crossed at Gold Ray Dam.
Bottom fishing out of Gold Beach and Brookings has continued to deliver limits consisting of several colorful species of rockfish. Catches of ling cod have continued to be good as well. Forecasts look favorable for safe bar crossings this weekend, but conditions can change quickly. Be sure to check local wind and wave before making the trip.
Ice fishers continued to score at Diamond Lake over the past weekend with many taking limits of trout averaging 17 inches. These are all holdovers as planting won't take place this year until ice-out. As of Tuesday, May 6th, it was still solid ice but it's starting to soften so caution is urged.
Scheduled for trout stocking this week are Bluebill Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake, Sru Lake, Fish Lake, Expo Pond, Reinhart Park Pond, Emigrant Lake, Medco Pond, Willow Lake, Lost Creek Reservoir, Spaulding Pond, Burma Pond, Dutch Herman, Howard Prairie, Hyatt Reservoir.
Eastern – Pro guide Rick Arnold (541-480-1570) reports ice still covering most of our lakes. Wickiup, LBC and Odell have been the only open waters that are getting any attention.
Pat Schatz of Crane Prairie Resort (541-480-9696) reports that camping will be available starting May 15th.
Fly anglers are doing well on the lower Deschutes although with hatches occurring sporadically, nymphing has been most productive. Water conditions and fishing remain decent on the middle Deschutes with some stoneflies showing. The middle stretch is producing good sized browns and redsides.
Crane Prairie Resort reports the ice is off the lake and roads will be plowed by the 15th of April. Some central and eastern Oregon lakes will be snowbound for a while longer so research your destination before leaving the house.
Young anglers will receive special attention at the youth angling event being held at McNary Channel Ponds near Hermiston from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 on Saturday.
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