Oregon Fishing Update
Willamette Valley/Metro - Flows at Willamette Falls continue to moderate but the water temperature remains at 50 degrees. As a consequence, salmonid counts remain low. Over 4,300 winter steelhead and 350 summers have been counted this season while only 26 springers have crossed the Falls. Some anglers managed combination sturgeon and spring Chinook catches over the weekend, but keeper sturgeon numbers have declined.
Pro guide James Stevenson (503-881-5289) reports that he's been unable to crack the springer code yet this year.
With stable water conditions, trollers are seeing catches of spring chinook daily in the Portland Harbor. Trolled herring are taking the bulk of the salmon but colder than normal water temperatures are likely keeping this fishery from busting open.
Columbia River spring salmon anglers are still fighting cold water temperatures and catches are slow to improve. Consistent catches are not reported from any particular stretch of the river but action should begin to show strong signs of improvement this week if the run is going to materialize. Recent reports from Pro guide Brandon McGavran (360-607-1327) however indicate more consistent action in the Kalama to St. Helens stretch taking advantage of the tide changes.
The Clackamas River is in great shape but fishing remains slow.
Sandy steelheaders are experiencing fair to good catches, but most are released as they are wild. Few dark fish seem to be in the mix yet.
Numbers and catches are improving in the North Santiam, but it's still primarily catch-and-release for native winter steelhead.
Scheduled for trout stocking this week is Henry Hagg Lake, Huddleston Pond, Sheridan Pond, St Louis Pond Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir, Foster Reservoir and Roaring River Park Pond.
Northwest – Several coastal tributaries closed to steelhead fishing on April 1st. Rivers remaining open are likely to have spring chinook and summer steelhead returning. Tillamook area streams are beginning to drop and clear but the Wilson remained productive into this week reports pro guides Dave Johnson (503-201-4292) and Chris Vertopoulos (503-349-1377). The mainstem Nehalem was productive last week but has since slowed.
Those seeking success for sturgeon in Tillamook Bay are coming home disappointed. Effort has dropped and only a rare keeper is being taken.
Bottomfishers witnessed success for seabass and lingcod early this week with larger fish coming further from port. Crabbing near the mouth of Tillamook Bay is slow but ocean crabbing remains a better bet then the estuary. A few softshells are beginning to show in the catch.
No sign of spring chinook in the Tillamook watershed but a wild springer was rumored to have been landed and released on the Nestucca River last week.
Herring jiggers at Yaquina are coming up with only low double digits for several hours of effort. Crabbing is slow here and worse at Waldport.
Bottom fishers launching out of Depoe Bay have had fair to good success this week in water shallower than 240 feet.
Southwest – The final day for bottom fishing outside the 40 fathom line provided excellent rockfish and ling cod action with extra large specimens on tap. Boater's attention will now be focused on ocean Chinook. The deeper ocean re-opens in September for bottomfish although halibut will remain on tap at times. All bottomfish including halibut may be taken seven days a week in water 40 fathoms or less.
Many anglers on the Umpqua are forsaking reasonably good steelhead action to take advantage of the burgeoning spring Chinook run in the lower mainstem. Improving water temperatures will reflect favorably on fishing prospects although pro guide Jeff Jackson (541-268-6944) reports springer fishing on the Umpqua has been slow. A few large fish have been caught, but it's still early. Give it a couple of more weeks for some better numbers to start showing. Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn on the Umpqua with larger fish showing in catches recently.
Steelheading remains open on the South Fork of the Coquille River and prospects are decent although many of the fish will be spawned out downrunners.
The Rogue spring Chinook fishery got off to a decent start, but a dip of the water temps into the 40s has stalled the bite this week. Anglers are spotting steelies in the upper river but have been frustrated recently in getting the fish to respond to bait or lure. The ODFW is funding barriers to prevent sea lions from lounging on boat docks in the Rogue River boat basin.
The Chetco is among many south coast rivers which is now closed to fishing. Trout opens here on May 26th.
Surf perch fishing off ocean beaches is producing good catches of large fish.
Marie Lake, Bradley Lake, Eel Lake, Upper and Lower Empire Lake, Lake Johnson Mill Pond, Millicoma Pond, Powers Pond and Saunders Lake are scheduled to be planted with hatchery trout.
Eastern – Although hatches remain pretty steady on the lower Deschutes, it's nymphs that are producing trout. Steelhead prospects for eastern Oregon remain strong for just another 10 days reports pro guide Mac Huff (800-940-3688). Season averages are excellent for last years returning summer run fish.
Pinehollow Reservoir is scheduled to be stocked with trout.
