Oregon fishing report

Willamette Valley/Metro- Although Portland area spring chinook success ended poorly on the Columbia, anglers downstream reported some early limits working plugs on the outgoing tide. Although passage numbers at Bonneville are still likely 2 weeks away from peaking, numbers look good. A re-opener is unlikely until the peak passage date has been realized.

Bank anglers are scoring the lion's share of sturgeon near Rooster Rock, where hordes of people are in pursuit. Action will likely slow as river flows increase and keepers continue to get culled from the concentrated population.

With Willamette flows moderating and water temperature hitting the magic mid-50s, springers are on the move. Monday's fishing at Oregon City was nothing short of white hot with numerous boats taking limits of springers. By Tuesday, action had slowed but should remain consistent into early May or later.

Steelhead and redsides are being caught upriver near Eugene.

Fish the opener on the McKenzie River between Greenwood Drive boat ramp and Hendricks Wayside for best results.

A few summer steelhead are in the mix on the Clackamas but broodstock steelhead has made for very good action over recent weeks. A couple of springers have been caught at the mouth but fish should begin to distribute by late April.

There appear to be greater numbers of summers than springers in the Sandy River as this system is not forecast to receive a large adult return this season. This will likely focus effort in the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers.

Fishing events for youngsters will be held at Hebo Lake and Trojan Pond on Saturday, April 24th.

Northwest - What would have likely been a productive fishery, all select area fisheries (Young's Bay, Blind Slough and Deep River) near Astoria will close after tomorrow due to the high interception of upriver bound spring chinook.

Good sturgeon fishing in the estuary is still over a month away.

With much the focus on Portland area springers, effort on the north coast has dwindled for steelhead. A few fresh fish remain available but the bulk of the catch will likely be dark winter run fish. Summer steelhead will be available in small numbers on the Wilson, Nestucca and Three Rivers.

Although it's not too early for spring chinook in Tillamook County, the peak has occurred after mid-May in recent years. The predicted rise in river levels this week doesn't appear to be materializing which is likely to keep chinook concentrated in the estuary. The lower reaches of the Wilson and Nestucca may fish fair for steelhead this weekend.

Offshore forecasts for the north coast will likely keep anxious bottomfishing vessels from targeting bass and lingcod. When the boats can get out, fishing should be excellent.

Crabbing remains slow in most north coast estuaries.

Southwest - Early incoming tides won't be of much help to boaters as offshore conditions are forecast to be rough this coming weekend.

South coast beaches are yielding good catches of surf perch when the ocean lies down.

Mainstem Umpqua anglers continue to enjoy decent spring chinook results while the river remains too cool to trigger a smallmouth bite.

When boats have been able to launch out of Charleston, fishing for rockfish and lingcod has been predictably excellent. Ocean crabbing is fair.

While action has slowed on the lower Rogue, daily spring chinook catches remain good. Anchovies, with or without a spinners, remain the bait of choice. Steelheading is fair to good on the upper Rogue with decent numbers over the dam.

Ocean Chinook fishing will begin May 29th and run through Sept 6th (Memorial Day through Labor Day) with a two 24 inch or better fish per day bag limit.

Eastern - Oregon's high lakes open Saturday, April 24th, with many anglers springing for the two-rod permit for an extra $17, hoping for additional hookups. Many lakes remain ice-bound, but may fish by the weekend.

John Day bass anglers should begin to realize catches of some of the larger fish of the season. Numbers come later when temperatures warm.

Fly fishing is fair on the middle Deschutes with redsides rising to take offerings on the surface.