Oregon fishing update

Oregon Fisheries Update:

Willamette Valley/Metro- Gorge fishing for oversize sturgeon remains consistent although shad anglers are becoming more challenged in their pursuit of fresh bait for sturgeon and crab. Fluctuating water levels are to blame as counts at Bonneville reflect.

Salmon anglers in the gorge are still struggling for consistent action but anglers anchored in strategic locations are taking a few fish daily. Counts are hovering around a thousand fish per day and the run is on track for a good return.

Steelhead numbers are also on the climb but weekend tides do not favor productive beach fishing.

Just over 19,000 Springers and 8,300 summers had crossed at Willamette Falls as of June 15th. Water levels are dropping with the temperature rising to the mid-60s. Shad catches have been fair to good but are due to decline soon. Sturgeon are being hooked in good numbers on the lower Willamette but most have been too small to keep.

Water in the upper Willamette is so low it has forced closure of Wheatland Ferry. It is expected to re-open June 30th following dredging.

Steelheading on the Sandy remains spotty with anglers hooking the occasional summer above Dodge Park. Very few summer steelhead have been hooked in the low waters of the Clackamas with no hot spots.

Fishing is very slow on the North Santiam. Steelheading has picked up somewhat on the South Santiam below Foster Dam.

McKenzie fly anglers are doing well for trout on the upper river. Boaters targeting summer steelhead are reporting surprising results for spring chinook. Small offerings are the key.

Northwest - Estuary sturgeon fishing remains good and oversize fish continue to make up a significant portion of the catch. Weekend anglers are having a hard time finding keepers however as it seems even the fish feel the pressure. The bulk of the keepers are coming from the deeper water out of Hammond up to the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Crabbing in the lower Columbia River is poor.

Salmon seekers on the north coast are resigned to call this years run a bust. River and bay fishing remain too challenging for most. Summer steelheaders are taking a rare fish on the Nestucca River reports pro guide Jesse Zalonis (503-392-5808).

With softening tides and a favorable ocean swell forecast, bottomfishers may want to make the most out of safe boating this weekend. Garibaldi and Astoria hold the highest promise for NW Oregon ports.

Siletz River steelheaders are taking a few fish in the upper reaches but like most coastal rivers, stealthy tactics are necessary and early mornings and evenings should be targeted times.

While effort is light, recreational Chinook fishers launching out of Newport have been taking some fish. Trips should be even more rewarding starting Saturday, June 23rd when the fin-clipped coho retention season starts. Herring jiggers have had some good days recently in Yaquina Bay where crab nets are yielding single digits and a mix of hard and soft shells.

The spring all-depth halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast will be open June 21st through 23rd and July 5th through 7th with the possibility of July 19th through 21st if the quota is not met.

Yaquina Bay is productive for herring. Jigging on the incoming tide is most productive reports pro guide Bill Kremers (541-754-6411).

Southwest - Umpqua anglers are catching fewer shad as the run winds down. Smallmouth bass fishing remains very good.

Jim Boyer fishing out of the Myrtle Bee reported Friday, June 18th, that he took the first Oregon sport-caught albacore tuna of the season. Unfortunately, he had to travel nearly 70 miles off Heceta Head to accomplish the feat.

Chinook fishing offshore out of Brookings was spotty again this weekend but it's due to heat up. Large balls of baitfish have been seen in the lower bay. Bottom fishing is holding up well for several species of rockfish as well as lingcod.

Crabbing has improved in south coast bays and estuaries but limits are rare. A soft tidal exchange this weekend will create good conditions for crabbing.

Surf perch fishing off southwest beaches continues to yield 15-fish limits. Some charter captains when unable to cross a rough bar for salmon offshore have treated customers to red-hot surf fishing, landing over 100 in a day.

Eastern - Fly fishers have had good results recently for rainbows averaging 16 inches at Crane Prairie. This is good news as Crane has been a tough location this year for most anglers.

The stonefly hatch is winding down on the lower Deschutes. Trout have been hot and cold about responding to artificials.

John Day bass anglers will find challenging boating conditions for driftboats. Rafts are best to use in these low flows but the bass bite is good on most days.