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Willamette Valley/Metro- 2008 licenses and tags are no longer valid.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.
