Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - With little current in the lower Willamette, sturgeon fishing slowed over the past weekend. It's difficult to keep a boat straight on the incoming tide. Sand shrimp and squid have been taking mostly shakers and the occasional keeper-sized fish.

The Multnomah Channel can be a good place to target sturgeon this time of year, especially towards the head of the channel.

The McKenzie is low and clear but the water temperature has been rising slightly. There are still steelhead available below Leaburg Dam.

Winter steelhead are being taken on the Clackamas with jigs being a top producer. Results will improve here into January but many of the early run fish may be entering their spawning phase.

The Sandy should be in great shape for steelheading this week and holds promise for winters. Scott Harden of Portland recently posted a 3-fish day with the largest being an 18-pound native, released to spawn in the wild. Low and clear early in the week, rain will improve the flow and color. Try spinners here.

Confusion surrounds the new aquatic invasive species permit. Check the department's home page for clarification: www.dfw.state.or.us/. Licenses and tags for the 2010 season can also be purchased here and anglers are reminded that they can't legally fish after today without their new paperwork.

Northwest - Steelheaders experienced good fishing on many north coast streams just after the most recent drop in river levels. Many anticipated great fishing for hatchery fish but reality pointed to more challenging fishing.

A good showing of wild steelhead were witnessed by north coast anglers but opportunities slowed when flows dropped and a strong east wind chilled the bite. The Wilson remained one of the better bets but anglers were forced to seek fish in the extreme lower portions of these systems once they dropped down to low levels. The most recent report from the Wilson was slow fishing, even downstream of Sollie Smith Bridge when historically, this can be a good week to pursue fish down there.

The Nestucca had fish available last week but has since slowed for even the most persistent angler. Wild fish were prevalent in the recent low water but anglers are waiting for slightly warmer weather and higher flows. The river should fish again early next week.

It's still a bit early for steelhead on the mainstem Nehalem and most other north coast rivers have to be too low before this river begins producing fish under ideal conditions. It should start producing well in late January.

Small stream anglers targeting steelhead on the North Fork Nehalem, Three Rivers and the Necanicum found challenging conditions in the low, clear and cold weather. These rivers should get a final shot of early run steelhead once systems swell again as predicted by mid-week. Recycled steelhead should be available on the North Fork Nehalem and Three Rivers systems.

Sturgeon effort picked up with the favorable tides on Tillamook Bay last weekend. Although reports were spotty, this is peak season for these fish. Quality tides will still be available through the weekend but peak time is after dark essentially suspending all effort.

A large freshwater influx, high tides and rough seas will produce poorly for crabbers this weekend. It would be a wasted effort.

Despite great tides, razor clam digging north of the Necanicum River remains closed. Rough seas will likely limit success for diggers to the south.

Southwest - Minus tides will occur after dark this week creating opportunities for clam diggers with appropriate lighting to spot bivalves. A head-mounted lamp works well.

Umpqua anglers have had some good days for winters with the best yet to come. Currently it's fair on the mainstem.

East Fork Coquille was non-productive over the past weekend. Only a handful of fish were caught on the South Fork.

Steelheading on the Coos has been slow to fair. East Fork Millacoma is producing a few steelhead but remains thick with wild coho.

The water was low and clear on the lower Rogue early this week. Rain will improve conditions here.

Chetco steelheaders have been taking a few chromers on a variety of baits and lures. The Chetco was below optimum levels early this week but precipitation is in the forecast. Check the levels; it fishes best between 1,400 and 4,000 cfs. Results will improve as the winter steelhead run hit its prime in January. When boats have been able to cross the bar they found excellent results for rockfish and made good catches of ling cod and crab. Boaters should expect a rough ocean over the New Years weekend.

Fishing for winter steelhead has been worthwhile on the Elk River.

Eastern - Pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688) reports slow steelheading and very cold conditions on the Grande Ronde River. Rain will help to thaw the banks, break up ice jams and improve the fishing.

Deschutes anglers enjoyed fair to good steelheading in chilly conditions over the holiday weekend.

Crescent Lake has continued to provide trollers with large Mackinaw. Run large plugs on downriggers here and dress for frigid conditions.