Oregon Fishing Report

Oregon Fishing Report
Updated for for the week of June 17th - June 23th, 2005

Salmon fishing on the Columbia River below Bonneville is better than expected for this early in the season. There have been some impressive numbers passing the facility in recent days. Spinners are taking some quality fish in the faster flows.

Keeper sturgeon fishing is still holding its own in the Bonneville area as well. Smelt continues to be the best bait. Oversize fishing is slowing somewhat with the shad glut. Shad fishing is as good as it gets in the area.

Keeper and shaker action is improving in the Columbia River estuary although limits continue to be a challenge for most. The fish seem to be on the bite now that the anchovy die off is no longer a factor. Crabbing in the area remains poor.

There was great fishing for Tillamook springers last week. Favorable tides had a lot to do with it but that is not the case this weekend. Lower bay trollers may do better but the peak of the season is now gone. Crabbing remains good on North Coast estuaries.

Rivers may not receive good enough rainfall to improve conditions but weekend cloud cover may make fishing more successful for the stealthy angler.

Surf perch fishing is good and improving coast-wide when wind and wave conditions allow. Striped and pile perch are available in the bays and estuaries.

Anglers on the Umpqua are finding success with shad and smallmouth bass. Offshore salmon fishing has been very good out of Winchester Bay. Crabbing is poor inside the bay.

Springers have been taken recently in the lower Clackamas River. The Sandy has been slow.
Shad fishing is the main draw on the lower Willamette now as boat and bank fishermen are making good catches of this premium grab bait.

Steelhead are scattered and fishing is spotty on the North Santiam. The South Santiam has been very slow for springers.

This week, the following locations have been planted with trout: North Fork Reservoir, Roslyn Lake, Silver Creek Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows, Trillium Lake, Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, Upper McKenzie River, Quartzville Creek, North Fork of the Santiam River, Miller Lake, Olallie Lake and spring Creek.
Here's your chance once again to give a little back to the river. The Rhodes Pond fin-clipping party will take place on Saturday, June 18, from 9 AM 'til early afternoon. Lunch will be provided to volunteers along with a raffle and auction. Rhodes Pond is located on Hwy. 22 at Mile Marker 5. For additional information, call Marty Peterson at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods (503-392-4269).