Oregon fishing report

Oregon Fishing Update

Willamette Valley/Metro - Lower Willamette flows were up a little but the water temperature held at 48 degrees as the winter steelhead count edged closer to the 4,000 mark for the year. A total of 51 summers have also been counted at the Falls. Although sturgeon fishing has slowed, keeper sturgeon are still being caught with smelt and sand shrimp being the top baits.

Spring Chinook fishing is fair but spotty; a few are being taken in the Multnomah Channel reports pro guide Joe Salvey of Fish Hawk Adventures (503-349-1411). The mainstem Columbia above the influence of the Willamette produced good catches of salmon last week prior to the weekend states pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327). Herring trollers did the best in 18 to 24 foot of water.

The Clackamas took quite a hit from the last rainfall, rising nearly two feet late Monday and early Tuesday this week, but with dry weather in the forecast, it should fish by the weekend.
Sandy River steelheading was slow to fair for anglers over the weekend. Billowing sand remains a detriment. The majority of the steelhead are wild but summers are showing up in the mix said pro guide Brandon Glass (503-260-8285).

The North Santiam remains high although a few steelhead are being taken.

In preparation for spring break, several lakes are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout this week. They are Benson Lake, Bethany Pond, Blue Lake, Commonwealth Lake, Dorman Pond, Huddleston Pond, Mt Hood Pond, Roslyn Lake, Sheridan Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Dorena Reservoir, E.E. Wilson Pond, Freeway Lake East, Junction City Pond, Roaring River Park Pond, Walling Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and Waverly Lake.

Northwest – Another rise in river levels kept most north coast rivers from fishing into the early part of this week. Smaller streams like the Necanicum and North Fork Nehalem fished Tuesday but results were poor.

A moderating weather pattern should allow for extended opportunity on all area streams with the Wilson and Nestucca being top bets for anglers seeking hatchery fish. The Trask and Kilchis Rivers are also good bets but an extended period of higher flows has sent a lot of fish into the upper reaches where bank anglers will have good access to them. Larger baits and drift lures will work better in the higher flows but downsize offerings as rivers begin to clear.

Late afternoon tides and prolonged daylight hours with the time change make sturgeon fishing a fair option for Tillamook Bay anglers over the weekend. The ocean still doesn't look friendly for the weekend and area crabbing remains mediocre.

Perkins Lake, Siltcoos Lagoon, Siltcoos Lake, Smith Lake, Spring Lake, Sunset Lake, Thissel Pond, Vernonia Pond and Woahink Lake will be planted with trout this week.

Southwest – Rock and jetty fishing has been productive for mostly rockfish although a few ling cod have been taken as well. Offshore bottom fishing will be good when the ocean lies down.
According to pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411) the Alsea River is in great shape and is producing broodstock steelhead.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will choose one from a trio of potential plans for the summer Chinook season. With a record number of Klamath salmon this year, two of the three options would allow uninterrupted angling from May into September.

Anglers have started catching striped bass at Horsfall Beach near Coos Bay. This is just the start of the season as better numbers are expected into spring.

Middle and upper Rogue stretches are most likely to be productive as rain has encouraged winter steelhead to go the distance and has them well distributed.

The Chetco has been quite rewarding this season for winter steelheaders. At 4200 cfs and dropping on Tuesday this week, both plunkers and side-drifters were taking fish.
Surf perch are being taken in good number off South coast beaches.

Marie Lake, Bradley Lake, Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Johnson Mill Pond, Johnson Mill Pond, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond and Saunders Lake are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week.

Eastern – Bull trout fishing is good on the Metolius but the river is closed above Allingham Bridge to protect spawning fish. Sunny weather will have the caddis hatch in full swing and trout looking up.

Fly fishers are experiencing good and improving angling for trout on the lower Deschutes as warmer days trigger caddis hatches here.

Lake Billy Chinook is producing fair to good bull trout catches for trollers.

Oregon fishing reports and fishing guides are one click away