Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- With Columbia River salmon action still as cold as the weather, anglers remain hopeful that the peak of the run is running behind. Fishery managers are still reluctant to promise more sportfishing opportunity past the April 6^th proposed closure date but it seems likely to happen unless indicators point to an over-prediction. Test netting indicates that there are ample numbers of chinook present but high numbers of steelhead remain in the system. The commercial fleet decided to suspend efforts again this week which should provide additional opportunity for sport anglers into the weekend.

The Willamette remains a muddy mess, affecting success rates downstream but plunkers working the lower Columbia River islands are finding a few fish that are hugging the shore line in the higher flows. Anglers should scent gear heavily to assist in finding a motivated biter.

Lower Willamette flows are moderating with the water temperature gradually rising past the mid-40s but with visibility less than a foot. It'll be a while for conditions to be conducive for spring chinook results. Fish passage at the Falls has been slow in high water.

The McKenzie will be in decent shape for trout fishers with only showers in the forecast over the coming weekend and March Browns emerging in the afternoon.

Recent snow and rain will put the Santiams out of shape for at least a week.

Clackamas water levels are on the rise, putting the river out of shape for steelheading this week.

Water will be high and roiled on the Sandy River with levels forecast to drop next week.

 

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Northwest – Steelheaders had another successful week last week when flows slowed and rivers cleared. Double-digit opportunities were reported on the Wilson as soon as the river was fishable and although action slowed by the weekend, savvy anglers still posted good results. Fishing icon Buzz Ramsey put in several days on the Wilson and Trask Rivers, taking fish on the maglip 3.5 and corkies with or without bait. The Trask is coming on-line more consistently as we approach April. Some quality fish will continue to come from this system into mid-April.

The Nestucca has also been putting out consistent numbers of wild and hatchery fish. With the run as good as it gets, fresh steelhead will be available into mid-April here too with some summer steelhead likely to show in the coming weeks.

Smaller streams are getting low and clear but predicted rainfall may make them a fair option before some close after March 31^st. The Kilchis will remain open but the Necanicum and North Fork Nehalem close beginning in April.

Although effort remains light, sturgeon anglers took a few keepers from Tillamook Bay on the early morning outgoing tides this week. Keepers are likely to remain in the system into the summer months but the larger population of fish that come into the estuary during the winter months are likely to begin moving back towards the Columbia.

The weekend brought a rare opportunity to harvest fish and crab offshore. Although only a few saltwater anglers took advantage of it, lingcod fishing was good and crabbing was fair. The next window appears to be a ways out again.

Trout fishing was fair for those taking advantage of recently stocked lakes such as Lake Lytle and Cape Meares Lake. Trolled flashers and worms worked most consistently.

Southwest – Lingcod catches were excellent for charters out of central Oregon ports on Monday this week. While ocean conditions are forecast to disallow trips this week, this is a great time of year for bottomfishing. Cabezon may be kept starting Sunday, April 1st.

High swells for much of the ocean crabbing season has limited prospects. Crabbing in bays and estuaries has been slow with fresh water reducing salinity levels.

Surf perch have been taken from southern beaches when wave action has moderated. Stretches near river or bay mouths are generally best.

Siletz and Alsea rivers are good bets for late winter steelhead when they recover from the freshet this week.

Sturgeon fishing and crabbing have been slow in Winchester Bay. With the spring chinook fishery getting started on the Umpqua, water levels will be rising through Sunday, April 1st. As the water drops, results for springers are expected to improve.

Plunkers have scored a few springers this week on the lower Rogue but it won't be fishable this weekend as heavy rain will push flows over 35,000 cfs by the last day of March according to NOAA predictions. While the upper Rogue or Applegate River can sometimes offer possibilities during high-water events, neither will be an alternative this week.

Fishing for all species closes at the end of day Saturday, March 31st on the Chetco River. Water conditions won't be conducive to steelheading as the date approaches however, as water flow is forecast to be rising to blow-out levels this week.

The Elk and Sixes Rivers are swollen this week. Both will close to fishing at the end of March.

Eastern – While Caddis, Blue-Winged Olives and midges are in evidence on the Deschutes during the warmth of afternoons, March Browns are due so be prepared to match that hatch if and when it occurs. The weather should be fair over the weekend and results with redsides should be fair to good.

Metolius fly anglers are hooking bull trout on streamers.

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SW Washington – Steelheaders are still scoring fair catches on the Cowlitz River with the Lewis and Kalama still options for late season steelheaders. Spring chinook should begin to show in the coming weeks. Most anglers remain focused on the mainstem Columbia for spring chinook.

Just 30 spring chinook have passed Bonneville Dam making the Drano Lake and Wind River fishery a poor prospect this weekend. Action is more likely to peak in late April and early May.

Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Columbia River trollers remain perplexed as to why their efforts continue to go unrewarded. Cold water temperatures and high flows are the likely cause for all the frustration. Although springers seem to be present, action will likely remain subdued until water temperatures rise into the higher 40’s. With catch rates poorer than expected, anglers are hopeful for an extension past the proposed April 6th closure. Recent test-netting results indicate there are a lot of steelhead in the mainstem Columbia with a high percentage of them being hatchery fish.

Sturgeon effort remains low as spring chinook interest grows. An occasional keeper is coming from the Portland to Longview stretch but the best catch and release opportunities continue to come from the lower Willamette River.

Willamette level and flow peaked over the past weekend and has started to moderate although water temperatures remain low for best results with spring chinook. The "Spring Fishing Classic" annual salmon derby takes place March 31st regardless of water conditions. Register at Fisherman's Marine.
McKenzie levels will be dropping this week and it may fish if the water clears.

North Santiam levels are forecast to be moderating later this week with wild steelhead in the river.
A few steelhead were taken on the Clackamas this week before the water came up. It is dropping and may fish late in the weekend.

Steelheading has been good at times on the Sandy but winter has been slow to lose its grip as snow fell on the banks early this week. Fish should be well distributed throughout the system with bobber and jig fishers more likely to work the upper reaches near Marmot.
 
Northwest – Steelheaders remain hampered by high, cold water and inclement weather. Snow continues to create hazardous traveling conditions but numbers remain strong when anglers can fish. The Wilson River began fishing again on Monday with a good bite coming at the acclimation pond near Donaldson’s. Good numbers of wild and hatchery fish will be available into mid-April.

With other systems still too high over the weekend, the Kilchis fished great in the clearing conditions. Sidedrifters did exceptional over the weekend. The Necanicum was another good option recently although wind-blown debris makes this river more hazardous to float. This will be the last full week of targeted steelhead fishing on some north coast streams so check regulations before heading out in early April.

Another hydrograph bump mid-week may put the bigger systems like the Nestucca and Wilson off until the weekend. When temperatures do warm and river levels stabilize, the fishing should be excellent. The mainstem Nehalem has been too high for most of the season.
Many coastal lakes have been stocked with trout in preparation of spring break week. Lake Lytle and Cape Meares Lake should offer up good opportunity for Tillamook County anglers. Bait fished from shore or trolled flashers and worms will likely produce the best results.

Southwest – While ocean conditions have kept boats at bay much of the season so far this year, now that spring is here, wind and wave action will allow additional opportunities. Lingcod fishing in particular will be rewarding through April and May. Rough seas are forecast until Sunday, March 25th.

Many offshore recreational boaters as well as commercial charters are looking forward to the ocean salmon season as it is expected to be a very good one this season. Offshore salmon fishing opened March 15th off the central coast while the south coast ocean troll fishery will open in May for an estimated 2.4 million Klamath and Sacramento River bound chinook.

Crabbing has slowed with fresh water washing into Winchester Bay. The Umpqua system is likely to crest on Friday this week then begin dropping and clearing into the weekend.

This week's freshet comes just as steelheading is winding down on the lower Rogue but it will also bring in fresh spring chinook which will be the primary focus of anglers as river conditions improve. While the Rogue is spewing mud out into the ocean at this time, it is predicted to be recovering by the weekend to come. Upper Rogue steelheaders deploying plugs in migration lanes will have a decent prospect for winter steelhead.

Dropping early this week, the Chetco will rise to blow-out level by the coming weekend although it is forecast to drop once again and may fish by Sunday,

As water drops and clears, expect good results from the Elk and Sixes river through the end of the month.

Eastern – Various bugs are showing on the Metolius with nymphing effective between hatches while bull trout are inhaling streamers.

Trollers working Lake Billy Chinook are still catching some quality lake trout and bull trout as well. The season is waning however as anglers refocus their efforts on trout in the coming months. 
The Crooked River, while running low, has continued to fish well with nymphs effective in the morning and matching the Blue-Winged Olive hatch taking trout in the afternoons.

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Oregon fishing!

Willamette Valley/Metro- Gillnet test fishing reveals that a larger number of steelhead remain in the mainstem. Although some upriver spring chinook are appearing in both sport and test net fisheries, it’s not the number most were expecting for this time of year. Although the fish may be present, strong sport catches are not reflecting this, likely due to cold water conditions. Catches should continue to ramp up with the last week of March and the first week of April to produce good catches as long as the season stays open.

Sturgeon fishing remains slow although some keepers are coming from the Portland to Kalama stretch.

Water temperature at Willamette Falls is hovering in the mid-40s with the level on the rise. About 200 summer steelhead have been counted along with over 4,300 winters. A few summer steelhead have been taken on the Town Run near Eugene.

Prior to the deluge this week and with the March Brown hatch imminent, lower McKenzie anglers took large redsides on nymphs. Water levels are rising this week.

The Santiams are on the rise and will be out of shape through the coming weekend.

The Clackamas and Sandy have been producing fair to good results but will be out of shape and unfishable until sometime next week. Low level snow will keep temperatures cold but when temperatures rise and levels stabilize, the action should be good.

  
Northwest – Steelheaders have been met with challenging conditions lately, with wind and snow deterring many Willamette Valley anglers from making the trip. Action has been good however although anglers were faced with low water conditions over the weekend.

The Wilson continues to be a top producer although the Nestucca is a close second. Both systems have good runs of hatchery fish right now with a fair sampling of wild fish mixed in. ODF&W has indicated production goals are on target to meet next year’s needs for the broodstock program, indicating that a healthy return of wild fish are coming back to the Wilson and Nestucca basins.

Low water conditions late last week were cause enough to pull plugs when most anglers continue to side-drift. Charlie McCormick and his fishing partner Colby took their 2-fish limits on K11x Kwikfish on Friday working the water between Siskeyville and Sollie Smith Bridge. The largest fish tipped the scales at 10-pounds.

The Trask has been producing fair numbers of wild fish recently. Less crowded, anglers have a few different sections of the river to float based on river heights. This system will only get more productive as April approaches.

Smaller streams such as the Kilchis, Necanicum and North Fork of the Nehalem may be the best options over the weekend as another round of high water is expected mid-week. Boaters need to exercise extreme caution however as recent high winds and moisture-laden snow have likely downed large conifers into the river systems.

Although the offshore chinook season south of Cape Falcon opens this week, wind and wave action will keep all participants in port. Ocean waters were hard on fisherman last week as 6 people lost their lives off the coast of Oregon and Washington; be fully prepared and don’t take chances.

Southwest – When boats have been able to get out, it has been "lights out" for lingcod and near limits on rockfish for all. Rough ocean conditions this week will intensify into the coming weekend.

Ocean Chinook opens on March 15th off the central coast and promises excellent fishing as the season gets underway. A strong return is forecast with the season extending through September and possibly into October. The opener south of Port Orford will open May 1st.

Winchester Bay has been producing good crab catches but rain this week will slow results. The Umpqua system is swelling this week as storms move through. Steelheading on the South Umpqua slowed in low water last week but will fish well once conditions improve from this week’s freshet. Catch and release fishing will be good on the north Umpqua when it drops as large numbers of winter steelhead were observed at Winchester Dam on Monday this week.

Crabbing has been good in Coos Bay but a flush of fresh water is likely to drive Dungeness back out to the ocean.

Rogue spring chinook, while not yet available in great numbers, had being taken through the past weekend. Storms will blow out the lower and middle rivers for the weekend to come. The upper Rogue will be the best bet if it doesn’t get too swift.

Fresh steelhead entered the Chetco with rain this week. While steelheading is usually winding down this late in the season, it was good once again over the past weekend.

Eastern – Fishing has been very slow on the middle Deschutes with the water high and swift. However, on Monday this week, irrigation started and the water level has dropped considerably. Blue-Winged Olives are hatching along with midges in this stretch. Prospects and water conditions will improve in April.

SW Washington – With most anglers focusing on spring chinook on the mainstem Columbia, late arriving winter steelhead in the districts rivers are often overlooked. The Cowlitz, Kalama and Lewis Rivers are still producing fair catches of steelhead for the few that are participating in the fishery.

Many streams close to steelhead fishing on March 15^th while tributaries upstream of Bonneville Dam open to spring chinook. Fair returns are forecasted for the Wind and Drano systems but only 7 salmon have passed Bonneville so far so anglers are still weeks away from productive fishing in these areas.

Oregon fishing

Willamette Valley/Metro- Spring salmon anglers on the mainstem Columbia are witnessing better results for their efforts this week. Although far from peak season success, catches should begin to ramp up in the coming two weeks depending on water conditions. Anglers are laying blame on cold water, not likely to improve much in the coming week.

Similar to a few years ago, it appears a good population of sturgeon are plying the shallow waters in the gorge. Anglers are theorizing they are avoiding sea lion predation around Bonneville, still happening at an alarming rate. Enforcement will be monitoring the area for poaching.

As of March 5th, the Willamette River flow was moderating with the temperature in mid-40s and rising. Spring chinook fishing will improve when the water temp tops 50 degrees. Recent turbidity has stalled the bite at Sellwood but it could pick back up again by the weekend. Summer and winter steelhead are crossing the falls daily but only one springer has made the trip upstream so far this season.

Level and flow at the McKenzie spiked on Monday this week but has been moderating since. It has been muddy.

A few fresh steelhead have been landed on the South Santiam this week.

Steelhead are scattered but some are being caught on the Clackamas. Sidedrifters working downstream and upstream of Barton Park are starting to see some broodstock fish enter, with a nice grade of fish being reported. Bait will continue to produce the best results until flows drop; that’s when plugs become a viable option. Eagle Creek has been virtually devoid of fish recently.

Fishing has been fair on the sandy but it's the best bet in the valley to land a steelhead. Sidedrifting here has also produced the best results. Wild and some hatchery fish should be well distributed to the Marmot area, especially with the recent rise in river levels.

  
Northwest – Steelheaders are greeting another high water event on the north coast. Numbers continue to impress anglers and biologists but the rivers are definitely fishing better under high water conditions. The current high water event should provide the best opportunity prior to the weekend. The Wilson and Nestucca are seeing fantastic returns of hatchery steelhead right now but anglers should focus efforts in the lowest reaches, including downstream of Sollie Smith Bridge on the Wilson for the best chance at producing.

The Trask is beginning to receive a good influx of wild fish with the upper reaches producing best in higher water conditions. Drifted bait attracts the aggressive native fish but plugs will become more effective as flows drop.

Savvy steelheaders are taking advantage of low water conditions on smaller streams such as the Kilchis River. These wild steelhead rivers don’t draw the attention that the hatchery options do but anglers can find productive results in solitude if they approach their quarry in a stealthy manner.

Crabbing has slowed in Tillamook Bay but Netarts remains a fair option. A few rockfish are being taken off the jetty. The offshore forecast for tomorrow looks favorable for bottomfishers and ocean crabbers. Weather is subject to change at a moment’s notice however so proceed with extreme caution.

Southwest – Charters did well for lingcod over the past weekend with most anglers taking two-fish limits. Catches of rockfish have been slow, however.

Sturgeon fishing is slow at Winchester Bay but crabbing has been fair to good. Steelheading has been fair to good on the North Umpqua and reliably productive on the South Umpqua.

Crabbing has been good from boats in Coos Bay and from Charleston docks with Dungeness in excellent condition.

A few spring chinook are being caught by anglers anchored on the lower Rogue but it's slow this early in the run. On most years, the first springer isn’t caught until mid-March. Water is forecast to be dropping over the coming weekend. Low water has resulted in slow fishing on the middle Rogue for a mix of spawned-out summers and fresh winters. The upper Rogue has been spotty at best.

Winter steelheading has been very good on the Chetco and at the rate fresh fish are entering the system the run has yet to show sign of waning. The water level will be dropping this week but is forecast to start rising with precipitation over the weekend to come.

Dry weather this week will result in the Elk and Sixes Rivers being too low to fish well.

Eastern – Trout fishing is fair to good on the lower Deschutes with Caddis, BWOs and midges hatching mid-day. Summer steelhead are on the spawning beds and shouldn't be targeted.

Despite low, clear water conditions, fly fishing remains excellent on the Crooked River. It's best when the weather is warm.

The challenging Metolius is giving up a few bull trout to fly anglers throwing nymphs and streamers.

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SW Washington – Serious anglers are beginning to focus their efforts on mainstem spring chinook but steelhead remain a good option on the Kalama, Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers. Some quality sized wild fish begin to show on the Lewis this time of year.

This will be the last full open week for some steelhead streams in the district. Check local listing for closures that start on March 15^th.

Willamette Valley/Metro- Some anglers are beginning to find sturgeon in shallow water in the gorge. Some quality keepers are available. Frustrated by season cutbacks, anglers continue to witness high interception rates of Stellar sea lions predating on oversize sturgeon at Bonneville Dam.

Daily winter steelhead counts are on the upswing once again with about 3,500 upstream as of the latest data. Boat pressure is increasing around the Sellwood Bridge as hopefuls troll herring for springers. Salmon are taken nearly every day although the fish per rod average is less than impressive. Flows and turbidity are predicted to remain stable, enabling anglers a continued opportunity for the region’s highest quality fish.

The McKenzie has been steadily dropping but may experience a slight rise from rain this week.
North Santiam flows are expected to be decent until the next heavy rain. Wild steelhead numbers are improving.

Winter steelhead are scattered in modest number on the Clackamas. Spinners or bobber & Jig have drawn strikes.

Sandy steelheaders have taken fish over the past week at Dodge and Oxbow parks. Sidedrifters in the lower reaches are finding more consistent action as the late run fish make a stronger showing.

Unlike most Willamette Valley lakes which are open year-around, Henry Hagg Lake opens for the season on Saturday, March 3rd. Hundreds of enthusiastic anglers are expected to participate in this productive metro fishery. A nice batch of holdover trout are expected.
 
Northwest –  Water levels on the larger north coast systems remained high over the weekend but anglers willing to work with those conditions found some success on the remaining hatchery steelhead streams using eggs or shrimp for bait.

Smaller systems fished well with the Necanicum a late season favorite for anglers looking to tangle with primarily wild fish. On Friday, Lori Howe of Raleigh Hills hooked into an exceptional steelhead on the black pirate hot shot, only to lose it in a submerged root wad after an epic battle. The Necanicum is wrought with wood debris with multiple hazards including 2 downed trees near the Necanicum Junction which are impassable. Willing anglers need to drag their boats about 40 feet over a gravel bar to get downstream past the obstruction.

The North Fork Nehalem and Kilchis Rivers are reporting primarily wild fish present. The hatchery runs on these systems is finished.

The mainstem Nehalem remains too high and off-color for productive fishing although steelheaders working tributary mouths may find some success.

Water levels are expected to rise again before the weekend but by Saturday, most systems should be fishing well. Large broodstock steelhead, tipping the scales to over 20 pounds, have been taken in the Wilson River recently. The late run broodstock fishery and a quality wild steelhead fishery peaks in March, making the north coast a favored target for Willamette Valley veterans.

Crabbing remains good in Tillamook and Netarts Bays. Anglers working the jetties are taking more consistent numbers of rockfish and an occasional lingcod. Smaller tide exchanges produce the best results but those are at night this weekend.

Southwest – Ocean conditions aren’t boat-friendly this week although there may be a brief window of opportunity on Saturday according to offshore forecasts. When conditions allow, bottom fishing is good for rockfish and lingcod.

Crabbing has been poor offshore due to rough ocean conditions.

Crabbing improved in Winchester Bay but may be negatively impacted by precipitation this week. Sturgeon fishing has slowed around the 101 Bridge. South Umpqua steelheaders have been doing well for hatchery steelhead but rising waters will hamper efforts this week.

Lower Rogue spring chinook anglers are enthusiastic now that fish have started to enter the estuary. Unfortunately, river levels are forecast to spike with rainfall. Levels are predicted to be dropping over the coming weekend but the water will be a little high. The upper Rogue may be the best bet for winter steelhead.

Good numbers of herring were taken over the last weekend in Brookings harbor. The run is late this year and is usually short-lived. The Chetco River will be high but dropping in the weekend to come, creating winter steelhead opportunities for plunkers.

Elk and Sixes rivers are on the rise with rain this week but should fish well for winter steelhead as the water drops and clears.

Eastern – The Crooked River remains a best bet for trout on the East side.

Steelheading should be productive in the Grande Ronde but water levels are high this week.
SW Washington – Late season steelhead are making a stronger showing on the Kalama. The Cowlitz is another option but the bulk of that run has passed. The Lewis River is also a fair option for mostly wild fish with spring chinook still likely a month away.

Spring chinook are starting to show in better numbers for Davis Bar trollers. Numbers should start to build with peak opportunity the first week in April. Larger fish tend to show earlier in the run however.

The Washougal River has slowed for hatchery steelhead but a fair run of wild fish should show through March.