Fishing report for Oregon

Willamette Valley/Metro - Chinook fishing on the lower Columbia from Longview to Portland is peaking right now. Although success rates vary day to day, success is good for anchor anglers working wobblers in 30 to 50 foot of water. Anglers will lose access to chinook in waters downstream of Warrior Rock beginning September 12th but fishing upstream of this deadline should remain productive into October. Nearly 20,000 adult chinook per day are crossing Bonneville Dam.

With water temperature in the mid-60s, coho continue to cross Willamette Falls. The best chance for a hookup is for steelhead on the Middle Fork or Town Run.

Trout fishing and steelheading is fair on the McKenzie. Parking will be closed at the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead until construction is completed in October.

The North Santiam is on the rise from water release at Detroit and rising water is not conducive to good fishing. South Santiam steelheading has been challenging despite decent numbers in the river.

Fishing has been slow for coho on the Clackamas although crowds are forming at the Bowling Alley. A few can be seen rolling but it will be a week or two before fishing is worthwhile. Water temperatures will play a role in angler success.

There are a few coho being taken at the Sandy now. Try spinners or drifted roe in the early morning for best results. Adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon may also be retained with the extreme lower portions of the river the most likely place of interception.

Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake, North Fork Reservoir and Small Fry Lake are scheduled for trout stocking.

Northwest – After a banner week of coho fishing downstream of Tongue Point and a short-lived chinook bite upstream, action in the Buoy 10 fishery has slowed dramatically. Although tens of thousands more coho are due back to the river, the run size is down from previous years so success should remain mediocre. Trolled bait will remain the best option, targeting coho on the Washington side of the river both upstream and downstream of the Astoria Bridge.

Ocean fishers will continue to struggle for hatchery coho although September can often bring good success for “B” run hatchery fish destined for Washington State hatcheries later in October. Crabbing should improve in the nearshore and is excellent in the lower Columbia during soft tide exchanges near Buoy’s 20 and 22 on the Oregon side.

Early September can be an excellent time to target albacore tuna 20 to 30 miles offshore and the ocean forecast looks favorable through the weekend. Tuna will respond best to live anchovies but will spook easily is not approached in a stealthy manner.

Chinook catches are improving in the Tillamook district. Quality fish have been taken in upper Tillamook Bay and in the bubble outside of the mouth. Strong afternoon tides favor upper bay fishers over the weekend but early mornings should be productive near the bay entrance as well.

A few chinook are nosing into Nehalem Bay but this fishery remains restrictive so check regulations before participating. The Nestucca River remains closed to salmon angling until after this week. It’s scheduled to open September 16th although catches are expected to be light.

The Salmon River near Lincoln City should be heating up with a fair return expected back to the hatchery this season. A stronger tide series should favor bobber and bait anglers in the upper tidewater and near Highway 101.

Alsea River anglers saw good catches near the mouth on Saturday but the fishery has remained sporadic since. Action will likely remain hit or miss into early October. Crabbing is good.

Southwest – Albacore are being caught 30 to 35 miles off the central Oregon coast.

Salmon fishing is slow to fair for trollers in Coos Bay although Marshfield Channel is getting a great deal of boat traffic.

Trollers are taking fair to good numbers of fall chinook on herring or anchovies in the lower Umpqua River. Dungeness limits are being taken offshore in 60 to 80 feet of water. Boats are making successful tuna runs out of Winchester Bay.

Chinook fishing is very slow on the lower Rogue and in the estuary. Anglers on the Grants Pass stretch are landing large, bright chinook. The upper Rogue is fair for steelhead, closed for chinook and only flies may be used.

Coquille trollers are taking chinook and coho. One wild coho may be retained per day here, up to five for the season.

When the ocean laid down over the past week, bottom fishers have caught limits of rockfish just outside the jaws at Brookings. Ling cod catches have been light but the fish are good quality.

Enter early for the salmon derby running October 1st through 12th during the Chetco bobble fishery opener. There are only 200 slots available and this one fills up in short order. Contact Mike Ramsay at Sporthaven Marina for information or to sign up.

Diamond Lake has continued to fish well for large, fat trout.

Eastern – Fish the lower Deschutes early or late in the day for the best shot at a steelhead hookup. Counts at Sherars Falls are improving. Although not as productive as it used to be, the troll fishery at the mouth should begin to produce better numbers of the larger “B” run steelhead. Destined for Idaho tributaries, fish over 15 pounds become more common.

Green Peter has continued to produce good-sized kokanee, most of which remain in decent condition.