Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro - Although catch rates are beginning to dip, the Bonneville Pool remains the best option on the mainstem Columbia for keeper sturgeon fishing. The season is set to close tomorrow however as the quota of 2,000 keepers is likely to be achieved.

Sturgeon anglers are likely to re-focus their efforts on the lower Willamette, particularly in the Portland Harbor where the catch and keep fishery opened today. Action should be excellent, as this stretch of river has been closed for some time, enabling keepers to congregate without being targeted. One sturgeon per day may be kept every Thursday through Saturday until a 2,550 fish quota is attained.

Steelhead passage has been moderate at Willamette Falls although an increase in flow could slow migration rates further. Spring chinook fishing has slowed with the muddied water but great early season success rates indicate the predicted return should come to fruition. Late March through April will bring peak catches.

Wild trout were responding well for fly anglers using large nymphs on the McKenzie early this week.

It remains to be seen to what degree rain effects the river flow which started spiking late Monday this week.

The Santiam system took a hit from rainfall mid-week but is forecast to be dropping into the coming weekend. There is a fair number of wild steelhead in the river now.

The Clackamas, where steelheading has been slow, is forecast to rise through mid week, then drop below current levels. Accuracy aside, fresh water should boost hookups. Broodstock fish are likely to begin showing in greater numbers.

Sandy steelheading has been sow with one or two fish per day reported river-wide although there was some improvement Monday this week. Rain will provide a welcome change, but only after flows subside once again.

Northwest – Weekend steelheaders produced great catches of wild and broodstock fish with the Wilson and Nestucca predictably the best. A slight rise in river levels stimulated migration but more recent rainfall has put the river out of shape, slowing catches. The first rain after a prolonged period of dry weather typically produces excellent catches. These larger north coast streams should fish good again by the weekend, barring any oversight in the weather forecast.

Smaller streams may fish best just prior to the weekend with the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem, Kilchis and upper Trask producing good catches of wild steelhead and a few spawned out hatchery fish as well. Larger baits should produce the best results until flows drop and clear. Use artificials, including plugs when fish begin to slow their migration rates.

The Siletz and Alsea Rivers shouldn’t be overlooked when flows drop. The Alsea will become primarily a wild fish show but quality broodstock fish should remain a good option on the Siletz. Broodstock smolt releases have decreased in recent years however so don’t expect the great action we saw just a few years ago but experienced anglers will produce fair to good results.

Sturgeon fishing should remain fair in Tillamook Bay but the best of this season has likely passed. The West and middle channels should remain top prospects for anglers fishing fresh sand shrimp.

Crabbing has slowed in most estuaries but remains a viable option in the lower Columbia.

Southwest – Rain was pounding the south coast earlier this week, causing river levels and flow to increase dramatically. If forecasts are accurate, anglers should see some dropping and clearing conditions during the week which is good news as winter steelhead remain widely available.

Crabbing has remained good for boaters in Winchester Bay but fresh water from the Umpqua may push Dungeness back to the ocean. While mainstem Umpqua steelheaders have been taking fish through the recent stretch of dry weather, the recent freshet will make the South Umpqua the destination of choice. Hopefully, the strong return of hatchery steelhead predicted by ODFW biologists will come to pass.

The productive South Fork Coquille, which has suffered from low and clear water conditions, should be rejuvenated this week as flows improve.

When the ocean has aid down, charter boats out of Gold Beach have been doing very well for lingcod and rockfish while offshore crabbing has been slow to fair. Even in summer-level low and clear water, the lower Rogue produced winter steelhead with side-drifting most effective. Fresh winter steelhead will be entering daily this week with precipitation. Steelheaders on the middle Rogue have experienced the most consistent results but action should shift downstream with rainfall.

Bottom fishing has been excellent out of the Port of Brookings when offshore conditions have allowed. Ocean crabbing has been fair. Rain this week is expected to have a positive effect for steelheading on the Chetco River. It should fish well whenever the level is falling although the winter steelhead season will be winding down here.

Eastern – Deschutes fly anglers scored decent numbers of redsides on the lower river over the past weekend. With few hatches evident, nymphs were effective.

Afternoon hatches are occurring on the Metolius but nymphs have been more effective in hooking trout.

Good spring steelheading should be the rule on the Wallowa, Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers as long as snow levels remain low and flows stable. Some days, steelheaders are likely to average around a fish for every 4 hours of effort.

Oregon Fishing Report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Although bank anglers are catching a few keeper sturgeon in the Bonneville Pool, boat anglers continue to produce good results with nearly a fish per boat average over the weekend. Although cooler temperatures may slow the bite, it remains the best prospect for keepers in the region.

Sport caught spring chinook have been reported and officially tallied in the mainstem Columbia downstream of Portland. It’s a sure sign that a good return is imminent. Anglers should continue to pursue their quarry downstream of St. Helens for the best opportunity to intercept a Willamette bound salmon which are in greater concentrations than later returning Columbia fish.

Over 2,300 winter steelhead have crossed at Willamette Falls. Plunking has been slow at Meldrum Bar.

Sturgeon retention days were announced on Tuesday with the Willamette reopening three days per week (Thursdays – Saturdays) beginning February 17th and continuing until a harvest guideline of 2,550 keepers is obtained. With the prolonged closure and given the concentration of keepers in the lower Willamette, this season likely won’t last long.

McKenzie fly fishers continue to find foot-long redsides on the lower river. Trout are responding to deep-dredged nymphs as the water remains cool.

Steelheading is spotty on the Sandy where water conditions are a combination of clear and roiled depending upon river current.

Clackamas water is in fairly good shape but steelheading has been very slow.

The Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show runs through Sunday at the Portland Expo Center.

Northwest – A slight rise in river levels improved catches after the weekend on an already shiny season for north coast steelheaders. Broodstock and wild steelhead continue to bite best on the Nestucca and Wilson systems. Broodstock collection is ahead of last year at this time but more wild fish are needed from the Wilson and Nestucca into the month of April.

Joel Aylor of Sisters Oregon landed a mint-bright 7 pound wild steelhead on the Nestucca last week. He caught the fish below First Bridge on a K-11X Kwikfish near the head of the hole where steelhead concentrate in lower flows. This fishery should begin to peak over the next several weeks.

A stronger weather system is on tap for next week, which should really jump start late season catches on many north coast streams.

Sturgeon anglers have fared well on Tillamook Bay with another set of good tides starting over the weekend. These tides should also produce good catches of razor clams along north coast beaches if the surf cooperates.

Brief periods of calm weather has allowed for some offshore fishing to take place. Ling cod catches have been steady out of Depoe Bay and Garibaldi when weather allows. Although ocean crabbing has only been fair, it remains one of the best options on the north coast with the exception of the lower Columbia River. Ocean conditions don’t look favorable over the weekend with the next weather system bringing winds from the south.

Southwest – Crabbing has been good in Winchester Bay having improved following the freshet. The mainstem Umpqua has sufficient level and flow to maintain decent steelheading conditions and catches have been worthwhile. North and South Umpqua levels are low, the water clear and steelheading is poor to slow. Low water tacticians have been taking a few on the East Fork Millicoma.

Coos Bay is producing good catches of Dungeness. When ocean conditions have allowed, anglers have made good catches of rockfish from the jetties.

Steelhead catches have slowed on the Coquille as the water level has continued to drop.

Elk and Sixes river remain too low and clear to fish well. Rain is needed to re-fire the winter steelhead fishery here.

Catches of winter steelhead have been good on the middle and lower Rogue over the past week. With no major fluctuation in water levels, it should remain productive in the weeks to come. Winter steelhead have started entering the upper river but fishing conditions are tough. The hatchery reported several entering the facility last week. Precipitation would improve fishing conditions river wide.

Rockfish limits are being taken nearshore out of Brookings Harbor and ling cod catches are improving. Herring should be entering any time. Steelheaders skilled in low-water techniques have continued to take a few fish from the clear waters of the Chetco but overall it is slow. The river flow is forecast to drop to less than 1,000 cfs this week.

Eastern – Now that the water level has dropped somewhat, prospects for trout on the lower Deschutes have improved.

Walleye prospects improve dramatically this month with some of the largest fish of the season taken this time of year. Water temperatures will dictate technique but trophy fish are likely to fall in the coming weeks.

Kokanee anglers are anxious to fish Wallowa Reservoir which is forecast to produce the largest fish in the state and possibly yet another world record.

Steelheaders working the Umatilla have seen an improvement in steelhead catches. Pending weather changes, fishing should remain good, especially in the afternoons, when temperatures are on the rise.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- The Bonneville Pool remains the best prospect for winter keeper sturgeon. East winds may hamper effort but as the water temperature warms, so will the bite.

Several spring chinook were taken in last weeks commercial opener. Motivated anglers may luck into one of these quality fish if you focus your efforts downstream of St. Helens or in the Multnomah Channel itself.

With the flow moderates at Willamette Falls, winter steelhead counts are picking up. The sturgeon retention season originally scheduled for January 1st, will be announced this week. Expect a short season.

Plunkers at Meldrum Bar are scoring some steelhead in the clearing Willamette. No sign of early spring chinook yet but they are likely present. It’s likely a few spring chinook will fall at Sellwood Bridge before the Sportsman Show gets underway. Use green label herring trolled near the bottom.

McKenzie River level and flow have returned to normal for this time of year. Trout fishing here would be an option this week.

Fishing has been fair but pressure by bank and boat steelheaders is high on the Clackamas. A good portion of the steelhead being caught right now are wild but quality broodstock catches are expected anytime now.

Steelheading has been fair to good as conditions improve on the Sandy. Oxbow and the stretch below Cedar Creek have been productive. Sand has once again modified the lower reaches.

E. E. Wilson Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout.

Northwest – Steelheaders working the north coast systems are finding fair success on the consistent flows of the larger rivers. The Wilson and Nestucca are the best prospects as they harbor fresh run hatchery fish well into April. The lower reaches of these rivers are producing the best catches and incoming tide can have a positive impact on a days success.

Most other north coast systems are filled with spawned-out early run steelhead with later running wild fish waiting for the next rain freshet.

The mainstem Nehalem should be a good option this weekend as high, colored water has kept this system from fishing following the January flood. It will primarily be a wild fish show on this system.

Sturgeon anglers have been putting in time on Tillamook Bay this week. Favorable tides and mild weather has produced fair catches for anglers using sand shrimp for bait. Bay City and the West Channel have been primary areas to target.

A calming ocean may offer up some good fishing and crabbing opportunities over the weekend. Recent east winds have dropped the westerly swell. Bottomfishing should be excellent with ling cod and rockfish readily available. Ocean crab should be in prime shape for weekend festivities but use extreme caution when venturing out.

Southwest – Following the announcement of a 12% increase in the halibut quota, anglers are anxious for officials to determine dates for fishing.

Charter boats targeting ling cod off the central Oregon coast have been returning to port with limits.

Crabbing has continued to improve in Winchester Bay. North Umpqua steelheaders have been hitting some nice fish as water level and condition improved with dry weather. Steelheading on the South Umpqua has been productive over the past week.

Coquille steelheaders took some decent steelhead from the Coquille on jigs over the past weekend.

Boaters launching out of Charleston have been making good catches of nearshore rockfish. Ling cod catches are improving. Crabbing has been good in Coos Bay.

Showers over the past weekend were insufficient to improve the low, clear water conditions on the Elk and Sixes rivers.

Rogue levels have remained high due to snowmelt over the past week although winter steelhead have been taken by plunkers, side drifters and anchor fishers. Water levels are now dropping on the lower Rogue and fishing is expected to improve. The middle river has been productive and should continue to do so along with water levels and conditions.

Brookings bottom fishers scored limits of rockfish and enjoyed fair results for ling cod. Ocean crabbing has been fair to good. Area beaches have been producing limits of surf perch. Low water conditions have created challenging fishing conditions on the Chetco but the sheer number of winter steelhead available have allowed anglers with good technique to take fish. Indicators point to the season winding down here.

Cooper Creek Reservoir is scheduled to be planted with trout.

Eastern – Lake Billy Chinook is putting out some bull trout and is providing fair to good fishing for kokanee averaging 10 inches.

Green Peter is low but is clearing and should fish in the next week or so.

Eastern Oregon streams such as the Umatilla, Imnaha and the Grande Ronde are forecasted to have favorable flows for steelheaders over the next several days. If temperatures remain stable, good afternoon fishing is likely.