Oregon Fishing Reports for June 22

Ron Chamness of Hood River with a 22” Lost Lake rainbow trout

Willamette Valley/Metro – The doldrums of summer are setting in for metro area rivers. The Willamette continues to produce mediocre late-season spring Chinook fishing in the Portland Harbor and effort for salmon saw a jump at Willamette Falls as well. Counts at Willamette Falls remain depressed, not even half of what the predicted pre-season prediction has bypassed Willamette Falls to date, but we’re not far off of last year’s total run size, which ended up at just over 24,000 adults over Willamette Falls. Summer steelhead counts to date however are about half of last year’s total for the same time period. Steelhead have clearly had some tough years recently, we’re in the midst of realizing that again this year.

Shad fishers are still putting in time downstream of the I-205 Bridge although catches aren’t as robust as they were a few weeks ago. It’s always a surprise when a Chinook hits shad gear, it may be good to be prepared for such “luck.” Shad aren’t leader-shy.

Sturgeon anglers are having a harder time finding larger fish as many have migrated downstream to the estuary for their summer feeding program; anchovies are on the menu. Not so coincidentally, frozen anchovies produced fair catches late last week for shakers in the Portland Harbor.

With next to non-existent catches of spring Chinook, and a depressed return of summer steelhead, anglers have largely written off the Clackamas River. Soon, rafters will out-number anglers so only early morning anglers will stand a chance. The Clackamas hatchery is making some significant upgrades which should provide better opportunity in the future, but it’s been a long dry spell for a once significant fishery.

The Sandy River is only producing slightly better. Spring Chinook catches are still weak, but at least there’s hope for a modest return this year. Summer steelhead action is better on the Sandy system as well, but anglers are still having to endure the raft hatch so fish early here too.

Pro guide Jeff Stoeger (503-704-7920) of O2BFISHN reports, ” This weeks report is showing that there is fish in the entire river. Most of the action has been Oxbow to Cedar Creek. I have a report that one hatchery Chinook was caught this last week on a spinner. It was caught on a number 4 Blue Fox spinner with a silver plated blade. There was also reports that there were summer fish also caught on spinners and beads. The river has had some color to it due to snow melt. The weather temps have gone back down to normal.

Northwest Oregon – Spring Chinook action remains challenging for Tillamook Bay anglers. We’re still in the window of peak opportunity and in recent years, this time of the season has produced some surprisingly fair fishing. It’s a mediocre tide swing this weekend, which should produce catches for trollers in the upper bay in the morning, and the lower estuary late in the afternoon. We’re approaching the longest day of the year, spring Chinook anglers should take advantage of it.

Managers tacked on an additional 6 days due to unmet quota in the south of Cape Falcon halibut fishery. The first 3-day set started today (June 20th) and runs through the 22nd. Pacific City and Garibaldi should produce fair catches.

The much anticipated mark select coho fishery starts south of Cape Falcon on Saturday. It’s likely to be the highlight of the year. Liberal quotas will offer up ample opportunity for high quality ocean coho for the next several months. Chinook are allowed for retention as well, but read regulations carefully. Nearshore bottomfishing for sea bass remains excellent.

See the full version of Bob Rees’ report by becoming a paid subscriber here.

Central and Eastern Oregon Fishing Reports

From ODF&W

Annual monitoring of the Crooked River will take place June 17-21 from the Big Bend campground to Cobble Rock campground. Anglers are encouraged to avoid this reach during the sampling.

Chinook fishing on Hood River has been pretty consistent the last two weeks.

Trout fishing on the lower Deschutes has been good. And now that the spring hatches are over, the crowds have really diminished leave more elbow room for anglers.
East Lake has been the hot spot for trout lately.

Bass fishing has been great in the Crook and Deschutes arms of Lake Billy Chinook. Best kokanee fishing has been in the Metolius arm.

Bass and crappie fishing have been good in Ochoco and Prineville reservoirs.

Several waterbodies are scheduled to be stocked this week, including Walton Lake, Lost Lake, Big Lava Lake, Sprague Pond, Century Gravel Pit, Olallie Lake and Badger Lake.
Several waterbodies are scheduled to be stocked this week, including McGraw Pond, Weavers Pond, north Umatilla Forest Pond, Teepee Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond, Wallowa Lake, Olive Lake, Victor Pond, Marr Pond and Honeymoon Pond.

Water temperatures are warming on the John Day, and with flows ideal for floating anglers are catching a good number of bass.

The road to Jubilee Lake is open to vehicle traffic and fishing should be good for holdover rainbow trout.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Columbia River has been great.

The mountains in northeast Oregon are green and beautiful, and with wildflowers in bloom, now is a great time to grab a map (or GPS) and take a tour of the forest pond scheduled to be stocked this week.

The Umatilla Marina Park Boat Ramp will be closed June 21 from 3 p.m. to midnight, and June 22 from 10 a.m. to midnight for the Umatilla Landing Days. Alternative ramps would be Plymouth Park just downstream on the Washington side, and Irrigon Marina eight miles downstream.

Because Morrow County will be working on ORV pond #3, it will not be stocked in 2019.

Black drake mayflies are still hatching on the Sprague River and flows are perfect for fishing.

Best bet for fishing in the Klamath Basin continues to be Lake of the Woods for stocked rainbow trout, Upper Williamson River for native redband trout, Wood River for brown trout and Gerber Reservoir for crappie.

Fishing has been excellent for redband trout on the upper Williamson near the Rocky Ford area.

Holbrook and Lofton Reservoirs have been stocked with trophy trout three times in the last few months.

Campbell Lake is now accessible and fishing should be good for rainbow and brook trout.

Water levels in the Chewaucan are dropping – expect fishing for redband trout to start getting really good.

The Owhyee River was stocked last week with rainbow trout.

Holbrook Reservoir, Lake of the Woods, North Fork of Pine Creek and Lofton Reservoir are all scheduled to be stocked this week.

Southwest Oregon

No updates from Pete this week.

Southwest – From ODF&W

Ocean salmon fishing for Chinook salmon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt is open. Chinook must be a minimum of 24-inches long. The ocean opens to fin-clipped coho salmon on June 22.

Bottomfishing has been good when the ocean lays down and anglers have been able to make it out.

Trout fishing has been holding up well in several area reservoirs, including Cooper Creek, Galesville, Howard Prairie and Lost Creek.

Trout fishing continues to be good in Diamond Lake.

Angles have been catching smallmouth bass throughout the South Umpqua River.

Marine perch species are available in coastal estuaries at this time of year. Look for them around pilings, rocks, riprap, and docks. Female redtail surfperch will come into estuaries to release young in the summer.

Striped bass fishing has been good in the Coquille basin.

Bass and other warmwater fishing is good in several area waterbodies such as Tenmile Lakes, Eel Lake, Expo Pond and Loon Lake, to name just a few.

Medco Pond, Lost Creek Reservoir and the Rogue River above Lost Creek are scheduled to be stocked this week.

2019 Stocking schedule and Stocking Maps

SW Washington –  The most recent report from WDF&W is from June 2nd. You can access it HERE.

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