Willamette Valley/Metro- Although opportunity for mainstem Columbia steelhead was largely concentrated downstream of the I-5 Bridge, bank anglers fared relatively well with the favorable tide series along lower Columbia beaches. A strong forecast should continue to provide opportunity through early July with strong minus tides and current keeping fish close to shore where bank anglers have good access to them.
Water upstream of I-5 to Bonneville Dam will open for steelhead beginning June 16th and the fishing should be excellent this year. Shad fishing in this stretch is open and numbers are starting to reach fishable levels. This is an excellent fishery to introduce youth to.
Boaters targeting sturgeon did well below Marker 82 in the gorge, averaging a keeper for every 3rd rod. Anglers in the Portland to Longview stretch averaged a keeper for every 10 rods.
With the lower Willamette about 60 degrees, springer fishing has slowed although it has been fair in the Multnomah Channel. Shad fishing is fair to good and will continue to improve. About 30,000 springers and 10,000 summer steelhead are upstream, the best run in years.
Redsides have been cooperative with fly anglers on the McKenzie with a few cutthroat in the mix.
Clackamas steelheading has been fair with most catches coming above Barton. Springers will soon be making an appearance on Eagle Creek.
There's not much happening on the Sandy although there should be springers in the river at this time of year.
A few steelhead and springers are being taken on the Santiam system with fishing improving here as the water warms.
Northwest - Spring chinook are making one of the stronger showings on Tillamook Bay than seen in recent years. Upper Tillamook Bay produced consistent catches with a few fish per day coming from the Oyster House Hole during the morning outgoing tide. Shannon Hardie of Maywood Park landed his first spring Chinook at 21-pounds on a chrome Flatfish with red dots in 4 foot of water.
Soft tides will favor lower bay fishing with the jetty producing the best catches on the morning outgoing tide. There are only a few days left to register with the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership for the 7th annual Bounty on the Bay salmon tournament. Call (503) 322-2222 for details.
If the weather forecast comes to fruition, driftboat fishing should be productive by the weekend. Tillamook streams are forecasted to rise nearly 1-foot which should stimulate action on the Trask, Wilson and Nestucca systems. As an added bonus, summer steelhead should be available on the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers.
Razor clam digging was excellent last week but tides won't be conducive for more opportunity for another week.
Halibut anglers out of Garibaldi did well on the first two days of the May 13th opener. Persistent anglers still found success on Saturday too but halibut will continue to get culled from the fishery in the upcoming all-depth openers. Those targeting bottomfish species also did well.
Ocean crabbing produced the best catches but catches averaged about 2 keepers per pot in last weeks calm seas.
Southwest - Keep an eye on offshore conditions as long-range forecasts are varying. Mild morning incoming tides will occur this coming weekend.
The all-depth halibut opener was rewarding for angers once the ocean laid down. While numbers aren't yet available, count on fishing the next 3-day opener, May 20th through 22nd.
Anglers are scoring springers on the mainstem and lower North Umpqua. Plugs have been effective downstream from Elkton recently.
Boats launching out of Port Orford scored halibut limits during the opener. Good catches of rockfish and lingcod inside the 40-fathom line were made on Sunday this week when the ocean was friendly.
Spring chinook fishing has been worthwhile on the lower Rogue, best between tide changes. Water visibility is good which indicates the better opportunities will come early and late in the day, particularly when tides changes coincide. Beginning Saturday, anglers will be able to take wild spring chinook from the mouth to Gold Ray Dam. The limit remains 2 adult fish.
Bait and fly anglers had equally good results at Diamond Lake over the past weekend with the water free of ice and trout responding very well.
Eastern - Look for hatches of Golden Stones on the Deschutes above Maupin with salmon flies showing in good number and redsides responding in kind. Steer clear of spawning steelhead and trout.
With the water temperature of the John Day in the high 50s, smallmouth bass fishing has been worthwhile with a few larger specimens in the mix.
SW Washington - Although success rates for boat and bank anglers remains subdued for most district streams, early hatchery returns indicate predicted run sizes to most river systems remains accurate.
The Cowlitz looks to be the best option for spring chinook and steelhead catches have been favorable too. The Barrier Dam is producing some of the better catches.
Action at the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries has slowed at the mouths but anglers fishing upstream in these respective watersheds are doing well from the bank.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Anglers are still eyeing counts at Bonneville but with consistent daily counts between 5,000 and 7,000 fish, biologists are still unsure if the peak passage date has come and gone. Additional sport openers are unlikely but select area fisheries near Astoria have reopened although success is low with a record commercial catch in these areas.
Shad are just starting to pass Bonneville Dam and are not present in fishable numbers although that should change in the coming week. Shad are great sport on light gear and make great crab and oversize sturgeon bait.
The water temperature at Willamette Falls in the mid-50s as of May 11th. Spring Chinook fishing remains good with the river jammed with boats from the Falls through Oregon City. Warmer water has trash fish hitting baits with some anglers beginning to find success using hardware. The Multnomah Channel and Portland Harbor are beginning to slow as fish begin to stage for Willamette Falls passage.
The shad run has started but few are trying with springers available.
Look for the eponymous Green Caddis to be hatching on the McKenzie River. Fishing should be quite good.
The Clackamas is running cold and while summer steelhead are available, they're slow to bite. Late winter run fish made a strong showing in April but are entering their spawning phase, making poor tablefare.
Steelheading is fair on the Sandy River with water conditions improving. It's peak spring chinook time on the Sandy but a poor return will likely cause anglers to focus their efforts on the steelhead return.
Blue River above the Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Green Peter Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake, Roaring River Park Pond, Salt Creek, Sunnyside Park Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond and West Salish Pond are scheduled for trout planting.
Northwest - Spring chinook are making a strong showing for this early in the season. Good catches have been reported along the jetty on the weak tide exchanges and in the upper bay on the stronger tides. Herring has been the bait of choice and some fish are tipping the scales in the high 20's. The peak is still a few weeks away but catches are likely to improve even more.
Spent steelhead made up the bulk of the catch for anglers fishing downstream of Mills Bridge late last week. No springers were reported. Spring chinook action has been fair for bank anglers working the hatchery hole on the Trask but low, clear water has slowed action.
The Nestucca and Three Rivers has very little traffic but should have both summer steelhead and a few early spring chinook available.
Catches have also slowed along the Highway 30 tributaries as commercial effort slowed the passage of spring chinook into Gnat and Big Creeks as well as the Klaskanine River. Low flows will also damper catches.
Another morning minus tide series started yesterday and with a calm swell forecasted, razor clam digging should be very productive right now. Harmful algae counts are on the rise but remain under threatening levels. Shellfish harvesters may want to check the ODA hotline before heading out however. Call (1-800-448-2474).
The first all-depth halibut opener began today and seas look friendly for anglers needing to make the 20+ mile trek west to productive fishing grounds. The fishing north of Cape Falcon has flatfish seekers disappointed with high incidental catches of dogfish sharks plaguing baits. Anglers fishing north of the Columbia River are finding better catch rates.
Bottomfishing should also be productive but anglers are not allowed to have both bottomfish and halibut on board on the same trip. This rule is strictly enforced.
Ocean crabbing appears to also be challenging but typically improves later into the month.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Cape Mears Lake, Eckman Lake, South Lake, Thissel Pond and Town Lake.
Southwest - Offshore conditions look favorable for boaters this coming weekend but morning minus tides will hamper launches while creating clamming opportunities.
The first all-depth halibut opportunity will take place this week on May 13th through 15th. Additional openings occur May 20th through 22nd and June 3, 4 and 5. Additional days will be available until the quota is caught.
Umpqua springer fishing turned on over the past weekend and, unlike the steelhead fishery here, most of the chinook are of hatchery origin. The Umpqua traditionally produces the largest springers on the south coast. Reports indicate the shad run has started here.
A few sturgeon have been caught on sand shrimp in the lower Coos River.
It's only $5 to enter the Bandon Surf Perch Derby being held through May 31st in the Bandon area. First place is a cash prize with tackle packages going to second and third. Call 541-347-2875 for information.
Spring chinook fishing has been worthwhile on the lower Rogue with the river returning to decent shape. Any day the water temperature is between 52 and 55 degrees and the clarity is decent, fishing has been very good. About 75% of the salmon landed here have been hatchery keepers.
Diamond Lake is nearly clear of ice and should fish well by the coming weekend.
Hyatt Lake, Fish Lake, Clearwater Forebay #2 Lemolo Reservoir and Red Top Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Eastern - Redsides are responding to caddis hatches on the Deschutes from Warm Springs to Trout Creek. Spring chinook anglers are starting to record fair catches with action likely to pick up in the coming 2 weeks. Drifted roe will produce the best results.
Water conditions at the Crooked River are improving with mid-day mayfly hatches. The better trout action has occurred in the after noon and if trout are not looking up, they'll respond to nymphs.
Shad are just starting to pass Bonneville Dam and are not present in fishable numbers although that should change in the coming week. Shad are great sport on light gear and make great crab and oversize sturgeon bait.
The water temperature at Willamette Falls in the mid-50s as of May 11th. Spring Chinook fishing remains good with the river jammed with boats from the Falls through Oregon City. Warmer water has trash fish hitting baits with some anglers beginning to find success using hardware. The Multnomah Channel and Portland Harbor are beginning to slow as fish begin to stage for Willamette Falls passage.
The shad run has started but few are trying with springers available.
Look for the eponymous Green Caddis to be hatching on the McKenzie River. Fishing should be quite good.
The Clackamas is running cold and while summer steelhead are available, they're slow to bite. Late winter run fish made a strong showing in April but are entering their spawning phase, making poor tablefare.
Steelheading is fair on the Sandy River with water conditions improving. It's peak spring chinook time on the Sandy but a poor return will likely cause anglers to focus their efforts on the steelhead return.
Blue River above the Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Green Peter Reservoir, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake, Roaring River Park Pond, Salt Creek, Sunnyside Park Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake, Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond and West Salish Pond are scheduled for trout planting.
Northwest - Spring chinook are making a strong showing for this early in the season. Good catches have been reported along the jetty on the weak tide exchanges and in the upper bay on the stronger tides. Herring has been the bait of choice and some fish are tipping the scales in the high 20's. The peak is still a few weeks away but catches are likely to improve even more.
Spent steelhead made up the bulk of the catch for anglers fishing downstream of Mills Bridge late last week. No springers were reported. Spring chinook action has been fair for bank anglers working the hatchery hole on the Trask but low, clear water has slowed action.
The Nestucca and Three Rivers has very little traffic but should have both summer steelhead and a few early spring chinook available.
Catches have also slowed along the Highway 30 tributaries as commercial effort slowed the passage of spring chinook into Gnat and Big Creeks as well as the Klaskanine River. Low flows will also damper catches.
Another morning minus tide series started yesterday and with a calm swell forecasted, razor clam digging should be very productive right now. Harmful algae counts are on the rise but remain under threatening levels. Shellfish harvesters may want to check the ODA hotline before heading out however. Call (1-800-448-2474).
The first all-depth halibut opener began today and seas look friendly for anglers needing to make the 20+ mile trek west to productive fishing grounds. The fishing north of Cape Falcon has flatfish seekers disappointed with high incidental catches of dogfish sharks plaguing baits. Anglers fishing north of the Columbia River are finding better catch rates.
Bottomfishing should also be productive but anglers are not allowed to have both bottomfish and halibut on board on the same trip. This rule is strictly enforced.
Ocean crabbing appears to also be challenging but typically improves later into the month.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Cape Mears Lake, Eckman Lake, South Lake, Thissel Pond and Town Lake.
Southwest - Offshore conditions look favorable for boaters this coming weekend but morning minus tides will hamper launches while creating clamming opportunities.
The first all-depth halibut opportunity will take place this week on May 13th through 15th. Additional openings occur May 20th through 22nd and June 3, 4 and 5. Additional days will be available until the quota is caught.
Umpqua springer fishing turned on over the past weekend and, unlike the steelhead fishery here, most of the chinook are of hatchery origin. The Umpqua traditionally produces the largest springers on the south coast. Reports indicate the shad run has started here.
A few sturgeon have been caught on sand shrimp in the lower Coos River.
It's only $5 to enter the Bandon Surf Perch Derby being held through May 31st in the Bandon area. First place is a cash prize with tackle packages going to second and third. Call 541-347-2875 for information.
Spring chinook fishing has been worthwhile on the lower Rogue with the river returning to decent shape. Any day the water temperature is between 52 and 55 degrees and the clarity is decent, fishing has been very good. About 75% of the salmon landed here have been hatchery keepers.
Diamond Lake is nearly clear of ice and should fish well by the coming weekend.
Hyatt Lake, Fish Lake, Clearwater Forebay #2 Lemolo Reservoir and Red Top Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Eastern - Redsides are responding to caddis hatches on the Deschutes from Warm Springs to Trout Creek. Spring chinook anglers are starting to record fair catches with action likely to pick up in the coming 2 weeks. Drifted roe will produce the best results.
Water conditions at the Crooked River are improving with mid-day mayfly hatches. The better trout action has occurred in the after noon and if trout are not looking up, they'll respond to nymphs.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro- Fishery managers met on Tuesday for a Columbia River run size update. Unsure as to whether peak passage has happened or not, number crunchers are leaning towards a smaller than predicted run size. Select area fisheries such as Young's Bay near Astoria will reopen to commercial netters only and are likely laden with spring chinook.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge are beginning to pick up a few legal sized sturgeon. The Marker 82 to Bonneville sanctuary went into effect on May 1st.
The Willamette is dropping and clearing and water temperatures are reaching ideal levels. With only a temporary slow-down in fishing success, anglers in the Oregon City area are faring best using eggs, shrimp and prawns for bait. Fish passage reflects the higher water temperature as about 13,000 springers had crossed the Falls as of April 26th. Trollers working the Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel are still taking fish, even in the colored water. General observations point to a larger than predicted return.
The water level is high on the McKenzie but has started to drop. Water temperatures are in the upper 40's, trout fishing is fair to good and the occasional steelhead is being hooked.
Summer steelhead numbers are decent in the Clackamas and results have been good at times. A few winters remain as well. Spring chinook are present although only a handful have been caught.
Steelheading in the Sandy is slow to fair. Few spring chinook have been hooked.
Fishing on the North Santiam is slow. South Santiam steelheaders are taking a few summers.
Scheduled for trout planting are Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Sheridan Pond, St Louis Ponds, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond and Junction City Pond.
A free youth fishing event will be held at Commonwealth Pond on Saturday, May 8th from 9:30 AM to 2 PM. Tackle and volunteer assistance will be available.
Northwest - River levels remained high for hopeful steelheaders on the north coast. Forecast models indicate ideal levels may be achievable by the weekend. A few summer steelhead should be available on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Dark winter run fish may also account for some of the action.
Early spring chinook are also a possibility on the Trask, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers but most anglers will focus their efforts in Tillamook Bay where tides this weekend will be conducive to lower bay herring trollers.
The first all-depth halibut season opens one week from today. Ocean weather has not been friendly to boaters but that may change in the coming days. Bottomfishing, crabbing and halibut fishing should be productive when conditions allow.
Estuary crabbing on the north coast is fair at best.
Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Munsel Lake and Sutton Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Southwest - Mild incoming tides and comparable ocean conditions will greet boaters launching for an ocean foray this weekend according to mid-week forecasts.
Crabbing is slow to fair in the ocean out of Winchester Bay when boats can get out. It is poor inside the bay, however.
While the Umpqua has suffered from high water recently, it is dropping and should fish by late this weekend or early next week. Smallmouth bass fishing should be starting here around Elkton if the water is warm enough. Summer steelhead are in the system but are slow to bite. Springers are being hooked around Scottsburg.
Boats of sufficient size launched out of Charleston over the past weekend to enjoy fair to good fishing for ling cod and rockfish.
High water, which shut sown fishing on the Rogue last week, has passed and with the level dropping, results are expected to be good over the coming weekend. The freshet will have good numbers of springers in the middle Rogue and improved catches on the upper river.
Icy patches remain on the surface of the water at Diamond Lake and it is unlikely to be ice-free until mid month. Trout fishing has been slow to fair.
Expo Pond, Reinhart Pond, Emigrant Reservoir, Medco Pond, Spaulding Pond, Burma Pond, Dutch Herman Pond, Bluebill Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Middle and Lower Empire Lake, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake, Sru Lake, North and South Tenmile Lake are scheduled for trout stocking.
Eastern - A few caddis and March Browns are hatching on the lower Deschutes but nymph fishing remains the ticket for redsides. The water is a little high but quite fishable.
Anglers are learning how to catch spring chinook in the John Day Pool. Bank anglers are faring well with boat anglers a close second.
The Umatilla River may provide some good salmon fishing this spring. It's a new fishery and has yet to reach its potential.
Many district lakes will remain cold and snowed in until warmer temperatures break roads and lakes free of ice. It may be late May before they reach a comfortable temperature.
Sturgeon anglers in the gorge are beginning to pick up a few legal sized sturgeon. The Marker 82 to Bonneville sanctuary went into effect on May 1st.
The Willamette is dropping and clearing and water temperatures are reaching ideal levels. With only a temporary slow-down in fishing success, anglers in the Oregon City area are faring best using eggs, shrimp and prawns for bait. Fish passage reflects the higher water temperature as about 13,000 springers had crossed the Falls as of April 26th. Trollers working the Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel are still taking fish, even in the colored water. General observations point to a larger than predicted return.
The water level is high on the McKenzie but has started to drop. Water temperatures are in the upper 40's, trout fishing is fair to good and the occasional steelhead is being hooked.
Summer steelhead numbers are decent in the Clackamas and results have been good at times. A few winters remain as well. Spring chinook are present although only a handful have been caught.
Steelheading in the Sandy is slow to fair. Few spring chinook have been hooked.
Fishing on the North Santiam is slow. South Santiam steelheaders are taking a few summers.
Scheduled for trout planting are Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Sheridan Pond, St Louis Ponds, Dexter Reservoir, E. E. Wilson Pond and Junction City Pond.
A free youth fishing event will be held at Commonwealth Pond on Saturday, May 8th from 9:30 AM to 2 PM. Tackle and volunteer assistance will be available.
Northwest - River levels remained high for hopeful steelheaders on the north coast. Forecast models indicate ideal levels may be achievable by the weekend. A few summer steelhead should be available on the Wilson and Nestucca Rivers. Dark winter run fish may also account for some of the action.
Early spring chinook are also a possibility on the Trask, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers but most anglers will focus their efforts in Tillamook Bay where tides this weekend will be conducive to lower bay herring trollers.
The first all-depth halibut season opens one week from today. Ocean weather has not been friendly to boaters but that may change in the coming days. Bottomfishing, crabbing and halibut fishing should be productive when conditions allow.
Estuary crabbing on the north coast is fair at best.
Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Munsel Lake and Sutton Lake are scheduled to be planted with trout.
Southwest - Mild incoming tides and comparable ocean conditions will greet boaters launching for an ocean foray this weekend according to mid-week forecasts.
Crabbing is slow to fair in the ocean out of Winchester Bay when boats can get out. It is poor inside the bay, however.
While the Umpqua has suffered from high water recently, it is dropping and should fish by late this weekend or early next week. Smallmouth bass fishing should be starting here around Elkton if the water is warm enough. Summer steelhead are in the system but are slow to bite. Springers are being hooked around Scottsburg.
Boats of sufficient size launched out of Charleston over the past weekend to enjoy fair to good fishing for ling cod and rockfish.
High water, which shut sown fishing on the Rogue last week, has passed and with the level dropping, results are expected to be good over the coming weekend. The freshet will have good numbers of springers in the middle Rogue and improved catches on the upper river.
Icy patches remain on the surface of the water at Diamond Lake and it is unlikely to be ice-free until mid month. Trout fishing has been slow to fair.
Expo Pond, Reinhart Pond, Emigrant Reservoir, Medco Pond, Spaulding Pond, Burma Pond, Dutch Herman Pond, Bluebill Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Middle and Lower Empire Lake, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond, Saunders Lake, Sru Lake, North and South Tenmile Lake are scheduled for trout stocking.
Eastern - A few caddis and March Browns are hatching on the lower Deschutes but nymph fishing remains the ticket for redsides. The water is a little high but quite fishable.
Anglers are learning how to catch spring chinook in the John Day Pool. Bank anglers are faring well with boat anglers a close second.
The Umatilla River may provide some good salmon fishing this spring. It's a new fishery and has yet to reach its potential.
Many district lakes will remain cold and snowed in until warmer temperatures break roads and lakes free of ice. It may be late May before they reach a comfortable temperature.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Oregon fishing report
Willamette Valley/Metro - Bonneville salmon passage continues ahead but numbers need to continue to climb in order to realize additional opportunity. Peak passage has been in the first week of May in recent years. Fisheries upstream of Bonneville are beginning to produce good results.
Red-hot catches of sturgeon near Rooster Rock prompted an abrupt closure from April 29 through July 31 between the upper and lower ends of Sand Island and corresponding markers on the Oregon shoreline.
Spring chinook are starting to pass in earnest at Willamette Falls. This should stimulate upriver fisheries in the very near future. Meanwhile, action at Oregon City remains excellent for backbouncers and backtrollers working shrimp and egg combinations or prawns reports pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411). Hogliners are doing well between the West Linn Bridge and I-205 as well. As temperatures warm, hardware will become more effective.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that springer fishing around the Portland Harbor area on the Willamette has not been red hot compared to the Oregon City area but fishing pressure is only moderate.
The Town Run on the upper river is producing steelhead and counts indicate a good season ahead.
A few steelhead were taken on opening day on the McKenzie. Weekend trout fishing was fair. Look for McKenzie Green Caddis hatching now.
South Santiam summer steelhead numbers continue to improve, recycling efforts picking up and pressure is building with both boat and bank participation increasing.
Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports the Santiam has some nice summer steelhead in it. With the counts over Willamette Falls improving.
Fishing has been slow on the Clackamas for steelhead with many spawned out and only a few springers showing near the mouth.
Fair to good catches of mostly native steelhead are being caught (and released) on the Sandy River. Springers have yet to arrive in any fishable numbers.
Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Silver Creek Reservoir, Timothy Meadows and Waverly Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest - Spring chinook are starting to show in the Tillamook district. Quality fish have been taken in the Trask River and the upper Tillamook Bay. Although the action begins to peak later in May, if the run is sizable, anglers could experience good catches in the coming weeks. Sturgeon are hard to come by but a few are present.
A recent rise in river levels could send fresh steelhead and salmon into north coast systems. Although past peak season, late winter steelhead and a few summer fish may fall to the few boaters working the Nestucca, Trask and Wilson Rivers reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
The bulk of the catch will likely be spent winter steelhead but fresh fish should be present in the faster flow and likely to fall to small drifted baits or plugs backtrolled through shallow runs. Early spring chinook should be present in the deeper runs and will likely fall to plugs or backbounced eggs.
Bay crabbers are picking up a few keepers in Tillamook and Netarts bay. Most serious crabbers are awaiting more calm ocean conditions as better success is likely. Long term ocean forecasts are not looking promising however.
May 1st marks the north of Falcon halibut opener for the all-depth fishery. The 3-day per week season runs from Thursdays through Saturdays until the quota is met or July 17th. South of Cape Falcon, the nearshore fishery (inside of 40 fathoms) also opens on May 1st. The limit is 1 fish per day, 6 per year.
Good razor clam tides are now underway. Clatsop Beaches should produce the best digs.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Sunset Lake and Vernonia Lake.
Southwest - Morning tides greater than minus one foot through Saturday will mean late day launches for boaters. Clamming will be good in estuaries, however.
The ocean salmon season from Cape Falcon to the California border was finalized for May 29th through September 6th for chinook with hatchery coho retention allowed from June 25th through the closure or a quota of 26,000 fin-clipped fish, whichever comes first.
Shad fishing will heat up on the Umpqua in May and will continue through June. Spring chinook remain a good option here.
Rogue River levels will be on the increase through the weekend which will slow down spring chinook fishing. This is the second time in less than a week that the freshets have slowed the action, just when it's getting really good. As it starts to drop and more importantly, the water temperature improves, good results will resume.
Fishing was poor to slow at Diamond Lake for the opener with soft ice evident on the lake's surface in many locations. A little warm weather will have Diamond fishing at its true potential.
Incoming tides have been good to beach anglers for surf perch averaging two pounds when ocean conditions have allowed the activity.
Floras Lake and Powers Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Eastern - The Mecca opener on the Deschutes over the past weekend (Pelton to the Northern reservation boundary) had anglers trying at Maupin with mixed results although the middle river fished quite well.
Cold water is resulting in slow fishing at Odell.
Lake Billy Chinook offered fair fishing in frigid conditions for the opener.
Red-hot catches of sturgeon near Rooster Rock prompted an abrupt closure from April 29 through July 31 between the upper and lower ends of Sand Island and corresponding markers on the Oregon shoreline.
Spring chinook are starting to pass in earnest at Willamette Falls. This should stimulate upriver fisheries in the very near future. Meanwhile, action at Oregon City remains excellent for backbouncers and backtrollers working shrimp and egg combinations or prawns reports pro guide Joe Salvey (503-349-1411). Hogliners are doing well between the West Linn Bridge and I-205 as well. As temperatures warm, hardware will become more effective.
Pro guide Bill Kremers (541 754 6411) reports that springer fishing around the Portland Harbor area on the Willamette has not been red hot compared to the Oregon City area but fishing pressure is only moderate.
The Town Run on the upper river is producing steelhead and counts indicate a good season ahead.
A few steelhead were taken on opening day on the McKenzie. Weekend trout fishing was fair. Look for McKenzie Green Caddis hatching now.
South Santiam summer steelhead numbers continue to improve, recycling efforts picking up and pressure is building with both boat and bank participation increasing.
Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808) reports the Santiam has some nice summer steelhead in it. With the counts over Willamette Falls improving.
Fishing has been slow on the Clackamas for steelhead with many spawned out and only a few springers showing near the mouth.
Fair to good catches of mostly native steelhead are being caught (and released) on the Sandy River. Springers have yet to arrive in any fishable numbers.
Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Silver Creek Reservoir, Timothy Meadows and Waverly Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Northwest - Spring chinook are starting to show in the Tillamook district. Quality fish have been taken in the Trask River and the upper Tillamook Bay. Although the action begins to peak later in May, if the run is sizable, anglers could experience good catches in the coming weeks. Sturgeon are hard to come by but a few are present.
A recent rise in river levels could send fresh steelhead and salmon into north coast systems. Although past peak season, late winter steelhead and a few summer fish may fall to the few boaters working the Nestucca, Trask and Wilson Rivers reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).
The bulk of the catch will likely be spent winter steelhead but fresh fish should be present in the faster flow and likely to fall to small drifted baits or plugs backtrolled through shallow runs. Early spring chinook should be present in the deeper runs and will likely fall to plugs or backbounced eggs.
Bay crabbers are picking up a few keepers in Tillamook and Netarts bay. Most serious crabbers are awaiting more calm ocean conditions as better success is likely. Long term ocean forecasts are not looking promising however.
May 1st marks the north of Falcon halibut opener for the all-depth fishery. The 3-day per week season runs from Thursdays through Saturdays until the quota is met or July 17th. South of Cape Falcon, the nearshore fishery (inside of 40 fathoms) also opens on May 1st. The limit is 1 fish per day, 6 per year.
Good razor clam tides are now underway. Clatsop Beaches should produce the best digs.
Scheduled for trout stocking are Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Sunset Lake and Vernonia Lake.
Southwest - Morning tides greater than minus one foot through Saturday will mean late day launches for boaters. Clamming will be good in estuaries, however.
The ocean salmon season from Cape Falcon to the California border was finalized for May 29th through September 6th for chinook with hatchery coho retention allowed from June 25th through the closure or a quota of 26,000 fin-clipped fish, whichever comes first.
Shad fishing will heat up on the Umpqua in May and will continue through June. Spring chinook remain a good option here.
Rogue River levels will be on the increase through the weekend which will slow down spring chinook fishing. This is the second time in less than a week that the freshets have slowed the action, just when it's getting really good. As it starts to drop and more importantly, the water temperature improves, good results will resume.
Fishing was poor to slow at Diamond Lake for the opener with soft ice evident on the lake's surface in many locations. A little warm weather will have Diamond fishing at its true potential.
Incoming tides have been good to beach anglers for surf perch averaging two pounds when ocean conditions have allowed the activity.
Floras Lake and Powers Pond are scheduled to be stocked with trout.
Eastern - The Mecca opener on the Deschutes over the past weekend (Pelton to the Northern reservation boundary) had anglers trying at Maupin with mixed results although the middle river fished quite well.
Cold water is resulting in slow fishing at Odell.
Lake Billy Chinook offered fair fishing in frigid conditions for the opener.
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