Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report
The Columbia remains one of the better options for summer Chinook, with Bonneville still producing good catches. Anchor anglers downstream of Portland are also still seeing fair results. The summer Chinook fishery closes after July 5th.
Summer steelhead catches on the Columbia remain weak, despite being in peak season. It’s clearly going to be another depressed return.
The Willamette fishery is still producing results, but anglers, plagued by warming waters, have re-located to the mouth of the Willamette, in search of cooler waters from the Columbia to find success.
Avid angler John Shmilenko spends his June’s participating in this fishery and still scores on a fairly regular basis. John mentioned earlier this week that temperatures have risen to around 77° on the 25th, but have since cooled down to around 74°. Why the entire run hasn’t floated belly-up is beyond my pay grade. These lethal summer water temperatures took a toll on returning adults in 2015. It’s still a Pro Troll and spinner show, mostly size 3.5 spinners with Mexican Hat often still producing the best catches.
Sandy River Fishing Report
Avid angler Jeff Stoeger offers up this report. Jeff writes, “Hello All. I want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July and please be safe. What a week we had. The weather forecasters hit it on the head when they said we were going to have extreme heat of 100 plus degrees for the weekend. With this warm weather, the river sure blew out, and blew out quickly. Today the river was running chocolate brown and should or could stay that way early into next week. More warm weather is forecasted for the weekend. Also please be careful out there, for there was a drowning on Tuesday at Dabney Park and they are still trying to recover the body. The water temp is around 68 degrees, and the river height is around 8.2 ft. and will drop over the weekend to about 8 ft.”
The Clackamas is still a fair bet for summer steelhead anglers, but spring Chinook remains very challenging.
North Oregon Coast Fishing Report
Ocean weather continues to hamper effort for saltwater species such as nearshore halibut, bottomfish, and salmon. Anglers continue to lick their chops, waiting for the right ocean conditions to get this season underway.
North coast salmon fishing continues to be less than impressive, as we mentioned in Tuesday’s Chinook Member report. A clear northerly progression of the coho schools is underway. Fishing on the opener was fantastic out of Brookings but has since tapered. It turned on last week in Winchester Bay and this week in Florence. The fish are on their way, largely headed to the Columbia River.
Pro guide Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters commented on how abundant forage fish species are on the south coast right now. He has been seeing loads of needlefish, different age classes of herring, and anchovies on the south coast. Pelicans are divebombing on a regular basis, with large flocks clearly visible heading north as well.
Anglers are catching an occasional Chinook however, it’s hard to say one stands as good of a chance for a Chinook as they do for a coho, but that seems to be the case right now.
Catch rates for coho in most central and northern parts remain about one hatchery coho for every five rods. Pretty dismal for a predicted large return, but it is early.
Bottomfishing remains the coastal stable right now, charter boats are still targeting seabass with good success.
Check out our detailed report and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Central Oregon Fishing Reports
Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
The Klamath area remains hot, with temperatures well into the 90s. Coupled with extreme drought, the trout in rivers and streams are under some real stress. It is likely best to leave this area alone until the temperature moderates.
Special Announcement For July 1: ODFW is instituting “Hoot Owl” regulations:
Effective July 1 through September 30, all angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and trout is closed from 2:00 p.m. to one hour before sunrise in the lower Deschutes River from the mouth at the Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to Sherars Falls.
Effective July 1 through September 30, all angling for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and trout is closed from 2:00 p.m. to one hour before sunrise in the entire John Day River and all tributaries, for the Umatilla River and all tributaries (but not the river within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation lands)
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower Deschutes is a heat magnet. Temperatures have been well into the 100s since last week.
The Lower Deschutes from the mouth to Sherars Falls are now under “Hoot Owl” regulated hours. Anglers should voluntarily abide by these regulations upstream of Sherars Falls to protect these wild fish.
Middle Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is fishing best in the mornings.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes has been fishing well, any type of attractor dry fly pattern will likely raise trout.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes has been fishing well, any type of attractor dry fly pattern will likely raise trout.
Haystack Reservoir: Josh at Tim’s Fishin Tackle Shop in Lapine reports fair to good fishing for trout – rainbows and browns. Bass fishing is excellent and with these temperatures, is the best species to target.
Lake Billy Chinook: Reports of good kokanee fishing in both the Deschutes and Metolius arms. Jigging with gold and silver colors.
Crooked River: Crooked River is best fished now in the mornings only, if you must fish it. The Crooked is coming out of the dam at 45 F and heating to 73 F at Smith Rocks. That said, there are evening caddis hatches.
Fall River: Spring fed Fall River will be a good weekend option, amongst the ponderosas and cool water. Holiday weekend crowds should be expected, and this will be a popular location.
Metolius River: The always cool Metolius will be one of the better fishing options this weekend and next week. The air temperatures will be hot, but the water temperatures are more constant and in a safe and healthy range for trout.
North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters:
We have a report this week from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus, between the John Day and Deschutes Rivers. Fishing is as hot as the weather.
Bass fishing is very good. Lots of bass action on Rapalas, Rat-L-Traps and chatterbaits. Water temperature is 67oF at the surface.
Walleye fishing is good. Worm harnesses have been effective. All colors are working, but more fish are taken now on darker colors with some silver and/or gold. Walleyes this past week have been taken in depths of 15 to 20 feet.
Catch and release for sturgeon off the bank continues to be great.
Shad fishing from shore and from boats has been very good.
Eastern Oregon Fishing Report
Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Northeast Rivers Are Dropping Into Fishing Shape; Wallowa Lake Fishing Is Holding Up In The Heat
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
After scorching temperatures since last weekend, much of the region will experience high temperatures going into the holiday weekend, well into the 90s around the Cascade Lakes Highway, and Northeast Oregon. Excessive heat warnings remain in place for Central and Northeast Oregon through at least Sunday. The Excessive Heat Warning is for: Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon, Central Oregon, Foothills of the Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon and North Central Oregon.
EASTERN/SOUTHEASTERN OREGON WATERS
Ana Reservoir: There are reports of good fishing on Ana Reservoir for legal and trophy size trout. The reservoir was just stocked this past week.
Lofton Reservoir: I’ve fished Lofton in the past and heard stories dating back 40 and 50 years of some of the trout taken from Lofton.
Sprague River: Upper Forks of the Sprague, such as the North Fork have good USFS access.
Williamson River: It is Hexagenia time on the Williamson, a bit early, but expected.
Klamath River (below Keno dam): The Klamath was fishing well with dry flies over this past week.
Krumbo Reservoir: Krumbo is fishing well for stocked legal and trophy sized trout.
NORTHEAST OREGON WATERS
Wallowa Lake: Wallowa is fishing well for trout, with recent stockings of legal and trophy sized trout. Fishing at the inlet has been best.
Even Wallowa Lake at nearly 4,400 feet is hot. Recent reports are that the kokanee bite is picking up.
Wallowa River: Rob from The Joseph Fly Shoppe is dropping. A check of the mean daily flow as of today shows 600 CFS.
Grande Ronde River: Report from Rob at the Joseph Fly Shoppe are that there are active stone flies on the lower portion.
Imnaha River: The Imnaha is back in the report and fishing well – lots of hopper action on the river. Water level has dropped and now around 150 CFS, which is lower than the raging levels in recent weeks.
High Lakes: Not yet accessible. Watch for upcoming reports.
SW Oregon Fishing Report
Contributor Jeff Rome reports: Ocean Salmon fishing decent, Rogue Bay heats up
Hot valley
temperatures will continue throughout the 4th of July weekend into the upper 90’s and 100’s in the Rogue valley. The marine forecast is looking windy again this weekend after a mixed bag of windy days earlier this week out of Brookings. Chinook as well as abundant Coho can be had out of most Southern Ports from Newport to Brookings. If you’re wanting to treat your 4th of July bbq guests to some fresh salmon, now is the time!
The Rogue Bay out of Gold Beach is starting to heat up along with the valley temps and will be a good bet if you can’t get out on the ocean. Trout fishing at the larger lakes like Lost Creek and Applegate are still good and bass
fishing in the ponds are good in the mornings and late afternoons. Again, 100 degree weather for the upcoming weekend in the valley may inspire a trip to the coast, so my best bet would be to book a charter trip (if you don’t have a boat of your own) and/ or try for some Sea-run Cutthroat trout or surf Perch fishing.
Salmon fishing the Rogue will now be limited until 2 pm.
SW Washington Fishing Update by Terry Otto
Ocean salmon has been slowed by hot weather, but should be improving this week. Shad fishing is excellent at Bonneville, while Chinook and sockeye are fair in the lower Columbia. Tributary steeleheading is picking up.
Vancouver Metro Area
The record-breaking heat last weekend kept many anglers at home, but most that ventured forth did find decent fishing. Chinook are biting in the lower Columbia, although the Vancouver area was not as good as the lower river. Sockeye, steelhead, and Chinook are being caught by plunkers in the lower river, while John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000), reports that the shad darts are flying off the shelves.
Trout fishing slowed everywhere with the heat, and even the warm water species slowed. Salmon fishing opened on the 27th off the coast, and warm water hampered that bite. Ocean fishing should pick up now that the temps have stabilized.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing report— The Lewis was running at about 11.5 feet over the past week, and river conditions are good. According to Thompson, a few anglers chasing summer steelhead on the Lewis are finding a few fish, and bobber and eggs seems to be the go-to method. While certainly not good, the fishing is decent. Anglers are finding some fish between the hatchery and the Lewis River Golf Course, and a few fish have been taken by anglers plunking in the lower river. Bank anglers at the hatchery are getting just a few fish as well, also on bobber and eggs. With the Columbia fishing as good as it is anglers are not fishing the Lewis very much.
The Washougal was already running low before the heat wave hit, and it is even lower now. There is not much going on in this little river, and there are very few anglers giving it a try. Low, warm water is keeping the few fish from being in the mood to take a bait.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing report—Fishing is described as fair to good in both lakes by Stacie Kelsey of the WDFW Inland Fished Program, although Thompson reports you can almost walk across the lake on the boats fishing Merwin. The hot weather and sun drove the schools of kokanee to seek the cooler temps in deeper water. Most of the anglers doing well are targeting the kokanee in 40 feet of water or deeper. Anglers working shallow are not doing well at all.
Local Lakes Fishing report—Lowland lakes trout fishing has slowed to almost nothing, although fresh trout plantings were made in June at Klineline Pond. It could remain slow the rest of the summer. Cooling temps might make for a better warm-water bite in Lacamas and Vancouver Lakes, where panfish and bass await. Fish the early morning and late evenings for the best bite. Good-sized rainbow trout are coming to hand in Swift Reservoir, especially where the Lewis River enters the lake.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Summer steelhead fishing has improved on the Cowlitz, and anglers are getting good numbers of fish. Most of the action is taking place up by the Blue Creek area. Dave Mallahan of Dave’s Guide Service (360-201-9313), fished the reach early this week, and he had two summer steelhead in the box by 9 am. He reports the fishing is pretty decent, unless there are too many boats on the river. He took his fish by bobber-dogging salmon eggs, a bait which he said has been the most effective. Most boat anglers are bobber-dogging, which is proving the most effective way to target Cowlitz steelhead.
The river has now reverted to permanent rules, so anglers may keep fin-clipped spring Chinook. In the most recent creel survey above the I-5 Bridge, 19 bank anglers kept one Chinook and one jack, while boat anglers scored almost a fish a rod, with 20 boats/76 rods keeping 64 steelhead.
The Kalama River has been fishing a little slower, although a few spring Chinook can still be found, and a few summer steelhead are getting around. However, the steelhead have been slow to show up, and they haven’t been holding well in the lower sections of the river. Some anglers have had limited success in the very lowest sections of the river below the Modrow Bridge, though, and a few steelhead have been taken up in the Canyon, but fishing overall is slow. Bait has been the go-to offering, including sand shrimp, salmon eggs, and coon tail shrimp, all fished below a bobber.
You can read Terry Otto’s recent article on ocean salmon fishing off Long Beach in the Columbian Newspaper HERE.
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