Portland/Metro Fishing Report – In a week that was supposed to be improving for spring Chinook catches, the catch rates actually dropped slightly from the previous week. Effort dropped too as anglers may be experiencing a bit of spring Chinook burn-out from this under-performing fishery. Oregon City seemed to have especially slowed down this week. Maybe there’s too many shad getting in the way? Maybe not. Passage at Willamette Falls is on the rise, it often coincides with 58°+ warming water trends.
Anglers should be reminded of the May 1st sturgeon sanctuary that goes into effect from the Milwaukie RRX Bridge to Willamette Falls. It’s spawning time for these fish and with the Stellar Sea Lion removal process underway, let’s hope they get to spawn in peace for a change. HERE is the running total for both California and Stellar Sea lions in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Nineteen sea lions (11 Stellars and 8 Californians) have been removed since the new authorization of August last year.
And I don’t think it would matter if there were sea lions in the Sandy or Clackamas Rivers. There’s no salmon or steelhead to consume there anyway. Well, there are some springers and summer steelhead in the Sandy. Be sure to read Jeff Stoeger’s report this week. There is life in them thar waters!
Trout should continue to be a good option under this weather regime. It’s a great time and fishery to introduce new recruits to.
North Coast Fishing Report – Some spring Chinook are starting to show in the Tillamook Basin. We’re still weeks away from the beginning of the peak but these horse sized springers are something to behold if you’re lucky enough to score one. The Trask has a few available as well.
Summer steelhead should be starting to show in the Wilson and Nestucca systems, but given this year’s winter return, no one is holding their breath. The Siletz will also become an option but all these north coast streams need an injection of water. Smolts are in the rivers now, making their way downstream, hopefully greeted by a friendly ocean.
Bottomfishing remains productive for most anglers, but fish can still be temperamental on some days and during some times of the tide as well. Lingcod are larger offshore and increasingly more challenging to find inshore.
The nearshore halibut fishery opens inside of 40 fathoms on May 1st, all depths south of Humbug Mountain. The more consistent fishing will take place when the all-depth fishery opens along the Central Coast later in May. All the halibut seasons can be found HERE. Book your favorite charter boat NOW!
Catch and keep sturgeon fishing opens in a few weeks, we’ll report on that as the season nears.
Anglers can fish for spring Chinook in Young’s Bay right now. It’s a challenging fishery but the fish are high quality. Check the ODF&W web site for details on when the gillnets fish to avoid any conflicts.
Central Oregon Fishing Reports – Glenn Zinkus POURS on the detail for trout and steelhead from the region. You’ve NEVER seen content like it (We guarantee it!), check out Glenn’s detailed report and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Weather
Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon: Temperatures today have been the warmest of the season thus far, but a cold front will push through on the weekend and bring temperatures into the 60s through much of Central and Eastern Oregon, and dipping into the 50s in the high country including the Cascade Lakes and Northeast Oregon.
Lower Deschutes
River: With last week’s opening, anglers dispersed along the river and pressure around Maupin eased a bit. River flows, unsurprisingly, remain low for this time year. The Deschutes has been fishing well with nymphs.
Haystack Reservoir – No first hand reports into me this week. As of April 29, the reservoir shows as
97% full. If fly fishing, start with Balanced Leeches under an indicator.
Lake Billy Chinook fishing is fantastic. The Metolius Arm is open (tribal pass required) and anglers are catching bull trout in this area. Leech patterns for fly fishers are the ticket.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows have been somewhat bumped up.
Metolius
River: This has been the week for dry fly fishing, with BWO and caddis activity around the edges. Euro nymphing continues to be effective.
South
Twin Lake: South Twin gets stocked with 200 trophy size trout next week. South Twin Lake is accessible and becoming more popular as there were anglers around the lake during the warm weather.
Crane
Prairie Reservoir: Most reports are that Crane Prairie has been slow.
There are some unfortunate incidences of thefts from rigs in campgrounds at Crane Prairie and Wickiup. The Deschutes County Sheriff has 7 cases since opening day. Be careful, and keep everything locked up.
Wickiup Reservoir: Wickiup is now open, albeit with low water levels, Wickiup is 54% as of today. Just like with Crane Prairie, balanced leeches and chironomids are effective during the openers. See the cautions about thefts under the Crane Prairie report above.
Cascade Lake Highway Access: Our friends at Fly & Field Outfitters in Bend provided a road access scouting report: Anglers can currently access Crane Prairie via South Century Drive (past the Fall River) and utilize the Crane Prairie Resort Turn Off.
As of April 29, Quinn River Campground is still closed, but reports are that the boat ramp is now accessible and open.
Access to Wickiup is excellent, with a few exceptions. There are docks in at North Wickiup boat ramp, Gull Point ramp looks clear, and access to other areas is decent. Proceed with caution while driving down dirt roads, as many areas are full of snow. Note that Wickiup Reservoir level is very low.
Lava Lake and Hosmer Lake remain inaccessible.
Diamond Lake: Reports as of today (April 29) are that the boat ramp at the resort is open and the lake is free of ice.
North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters:
We continue with great reports from Wendy at Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus, between the John Day and Deschutes Rivers. Anglers will want to consider the opportunities in this area based on her report; stop in if you are in the area.
Bass fishing is good on the John Day and along the bank on the Columbia near the John Day. Anglers targeting bass in the area have been successful.
Walleye fishing continues to be fantastic from boats and the banks. The big females are in the shallows. The smaller males in a good-eater-size are just a little farther out.
Chickahominy Reservoir: Two weeks ago, ODFW removed the trout bag limit on Chickahominy because of low water levels, specifically the reservoir is less than 10% full and there is approximately 6 feet of water in the deepest locations.
I am repeating the specifics from ODFW this week:|
The lake is accessible. The bottom of the boat ramp was about a foot or two above the water in March. ODFW does not recommend launching a large propeller driven boat out there. It is very turbid and there are some boulders in shallow water near the dam. A drift boat would be fine, and so are pontoon boats.
The trout ODFW sampled this spring ranged from 10 to 22 inches.
Ana Reservoir: There are reports of good fishing on Ana Reservoir.
NORTHEAST OREGON WATERS
Wallowa River: Steelhead are in the system, but this river closes for steelhead on April 30 (tomorrow).
The Fly Shoppe in Joseph is closed for the season, but you may reach Rob at the shop around midday on a hit or miss basis.
Remember that trout fishing on the Wallowa is now open year-round, so trout opportunities exists.
Grande Ronde River: There are no reports for the Grande Ronde. This river closes for steelhead on April 30.
Imnaha River: This river closes for steelhead on April 30.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
The mid-Rogue river has received a bump in flow the past week from a combination of a few much-needed showers last weekend and some increased out flow from Lost Creek Dam. Most winter steelhead being caught are down runners with only an occasional fresh fish. Spring Chinook action has still yet to come and trout fishing at local lakes and ponds during the nice weather seem to be the better bet.
Low and clear water tactics will be the same as what to put out there except when using roe, worms, or other bait, you’ll need to go a little longer and lighter leader using smaller gobs and pieces of bait.
Josh from Rogue Fly Shop in Grants Pass 541-476-0552
Josh reports that fly fishing for steelhead might be more for practice than catching right now. There are quite a few smolts/ baby steelhead that are moving down river to the ocean and catching them especially now before trout season opens could be detrimental to future runs.
Trout fishing on the Rogue won’t reopen until May 22. This includes catch-and-release fishing. Any angler on the Rogue at this time will need to have in possession a valid combined angling tag, in addition to their fishing license.
Marine Forecast-
Andy Martin- Brookings Fishing Charters 541-813-1082
Andy reports that wind will be a factor this weekend, however limits of rockfish and some nice Lingcod can still be had. Recent outings have seen rockfish activity towards top water- it’s the annual time where crab spawn will float to the top and the bottom fish with form a “fish frenzy” which can be a blast to fish them with medium action rods and spinning reels using jig heads with a 4” grub attached. All provided when you book a trip with Brookings Fishing Charters. 
Salmon Season- This
should be a great year for salmon! 
This summer’s ocean salmon seasons have been approved by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The season out of Brookings runs June 12-Aug. 28. Hatchery coho may be kept the entire season. Chinook (wild or hatchery) may be kept June 19-Aug 15. The daily limit is two salmon.
The season out of Crescent City and Eureka runs June 29-Aug. 1.
Bottom
Fishing– Andy reports “The better the ocean conditions, the better the catches” and it’s looking to be a great weekend to get out there! Bottomfishing for lingcod and rock fish has been great when one can get out on the ocean. Limits of lingcod and various rock fish are to be had!
NorCal Guides Forecast
Mario Gomez- Ironhead Guide Service -530-598-0530
Mario Gomez reports that he’s still fly fishing the Klamath river near Happy Camp which has been producing some consistent steelhead fishing the past month. 4-5 fish daily catches have been the usual for his clients. It will be good through May and June until the water gets too warm.
Shasta Lake has been getting some nice rainbow and brown trout action as well. Trolling flashers with Wiggle Hoochies (Shasta Tackle) seem to be the ticket.
SW Washington – Terry Otto has put together another smashing report for SW Washington. Terry reports on the Cowlitz, Lewis and Washougal Rivers in part, but also talks about the district’s lakes and what’s bitin’ where!
Shane Magnuson of Upper Columbia Guide Service with a Drano spring Chinook.
Photo by Shane Magnuson
Tributary chinook fishing is picking up slightly, but many waters close soon, so get out now. The spring trout opener proved very popular, and most fishers caught their limit, but kokanee fishing has slowed.
Vancouver Metro Area
Columbia River tributaries are fishing better for spring chinook, but many tribs will close to retention soon. Summer steelhead are showing in the lower Columbia catch and starting to trickle into local rivers.
The spring trout opener was largely a success, and anglers pretty much everywhere had a good time catching limits. A number of trophy-sized brood rainbows were caught among the many catchable size trout, too.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—spring chinook were being caught in better numbers in the Lewis River over this last week, according to reports given to John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000). Springers are being caught in pretty much all reaches of the river itself, mostly on salmon eggs and sand shrimp.
In the latest WDW creel, 95 bank rods kept seven Chinook and released one jack. 24 boats/50 rods kept 15 Chinook, three jacks, one cutthroat and released two jacks, two steelhead and one cutthroat.
The Washougal is still prohibitively low and clear, and few anglers are out fishing. The river awaits the summer steelhead run, which could start with the next real freshet.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—Stacey Kelsey of the WDW Inland fisheries program reports that the fish in both lakes are scattered through the water column, and anglers are struggling to find that magic depth. The schools have not only been inconsistent from day to day, but also within a day itself. While some anglers are getting their limits, they are having to work at it and be ready to adapt hour by hour. Anglers might find the fish anywhere from 20 to over 50 feet deep.
Local Lakes Fishing Report—Fishing was very good in Battle Ground Lake, Klinline Pond, and Lacamas Lake last weekend. Anglers also did well in the Swift Power Canal. Panfish and bass are biting in Lacamas Lake.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Steelheading on the Cowlitz River continues to slow down as the winter run ends. The first summer steelhead was handled at the hatchery this week, but it will still be a number of weeks before summer fish enter the river in catchable numbers.
During the most recent WDFW creel survey above the I-5 Bridge, 60 bank rods kept seven steelhead and released five Chinook, one steelhead and 14 cutthroat. 10 boats/23 rods kept two steelhead and released one Chinook and two steelhead. Below the I-5 Bridge, 143 bank rods kept one steelhead and released two Chinook jacks, two steelhead and one cutthroat.
The Kalama River has been fishing fair for spring Chinook and winter steelhead this past week. WDFW creel surveys had 69 bank rods releasing two steelhead. 31 boats/73 rods kept 12 Chinook, three jacks and released five steelhead.
Anglers have been getting their Chinook in the lower reaches of the river, while the middle reaches are giving up steelhead and a few Chinook. Bank anglers up in the canyon are still getting some winter steelhead, but very few Chinook have been taken up that high. Anglers are getting the Chinook to bite salmon eggs or sand shrimp.
Local Lakes Fishing Report—Trout fishing was good at Sacajawea Lake in Longview, and at Kress and Horseshoe Lakes last weekend. Further north anglers caught a lot of really big trout in Carlisle Lake, and they did well at Mineral Lake as well. Crappie are biting sporadically at Silver Lake.
Columbia River Gorge
Drano Lake and Klickitat River Fishing Report—Chinook fishing in Drano lake is slow, compared to some past seasons, according to guide Shane Magnuson of Upper Columbia Guide Service, (509) 630-5433. He said that that most days the lake has about 40 boats, and a dozen fish are being caught most mornings. He also reported that the main lake has been a desert, so most fish are being caught in the Toilet Bowl troll.
The most recent WDFW creel at Drano found that 27 bank anglers kept one Chinook. 122 boats/298 rods kept 48 Chinook and released three Chinook. The lake Closes to salmon fishing on May 6.
So far, the Klickitat has not given up many fish at all. The most recent creel survey had no catch for seven bank rods.
Local lakes Fishing Report—trout fishing was excellent at Rowland , Horsethief, and Spearfish Lakes this past Saturday. Trout fishing at Icehouse Lake was fair. Anglers are still doing great for walleye below the John Day Dam.
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