Portland/Metro Fishing Report – Fall Chinook numbers are starting to bump at Bonneville Dam, an indicator that metro area anglers should prepare for a banner year on the mainstem Columbia, in search of upriver brights which should number in the hundreds of thousands this year. More chinook fishing report details below.
Although anchor fishing with wobblers was all the rage a decade ago, it’s largely become a troll show with spinners and 360° flashers taking the lead. Soft tides this week favor trollers over anchor anglers however.
Clackamas River – It’s too early to expect catchable numbers of coho here, but it’s possible there might be some available. Early season coho seem to bite better and it won’t be long before strong returns are likely witnessed for Clackamas River anglers.
Summer steelhead are still available in the McIver reach of the Clackamas for savvy bank anglers.
Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports on the Sandy River – The river is running low and should stay that way until we get our first rain fall. The river is around 67 degrees and will start to cool down as the temps are dropping at night and days are cooler.
If it’s any indications of what coho seasons going to be like, there has been some outstanding numbers caught in the lower Columbia River heading our direction.
Find the full report and forecast for Chinook and Steelhead members for the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – The Buoy 10 fishery is underway, and although some coho are starting to show, it’s primarily a Chinook show and they are in! Hopefully you’re seeing our detailed fishing reports via YouTube. If you’re an avid Buoy 10 angler, this is the time to invest in a Steelhead or Chinook Membership to get the detailed FORECAST for the next day’s opportunities.
An emergency Chinook closure was enacted for Buoy 10 anglers starting Friday. It’s certainly disappointing, but we have to continue to do our part to protect certain stocks of Chinook in jeopardy on the lower (and upper) Columbia River Basin. Coho numbers remain robust, but anglers are likely to still seek Chinook action on the lower Columbia in the remaining above Tongue Point fishery. Good tides this weekend will likely produce good catches.
The ocean north of Cape Falcon will close after Sunday, the quota is projected to have been met by then. The ocean south of Cape Falcon will close after Saturday with likely 40% of the quota still remaining. The next ocean coho opportunity will start on September 10th for ANY 2 salmon, including wild coho.
Halibut fishing remains disappointing and tuna are FAR offshore. Anglers are having sporadic success for both species.
The Nehalem system is still the best bet for coastal Chinook, but fish are also available in Tillamook Bay. The Nestucca, Salmon, Alsea and Siletz are soon to follow.
Bay crabbing remains good in some estuaries, Tillamook Bay in particular.
See the full report and forecast for Members for Chinook and Steelhead Members right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Reports – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Lower Deschutes River:
Water temperatures are starting to drop with the more moderate temperatures of the last several days, and releases from the dam are now consistent from 53.5 to 55.5 degrees over the past week.
There are great trout fishing reports from Warm Springs to Trout Creek. Every angler and shop I know have been reporting good fishing. Dry-dropper combos with caddis and craneflies are hot.
Middle Deschutes River: No current reports.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes has been fishing well. PMDs, Yellow Sallies and some caddis are present. Brook trout are being caught on Perdigons, Frenchies, Jig Style PTs.
Josh Pardee at Tim’s Fishin Tackle Shop reports hot fishing for brown trout, with #9,#11 and #13 silver Rapalas being the hot lures.
Haystack Reservoir: Fill level is 31 %. Bass fishing is excellent. Haystack remains good for bass in August. Water temps are dropping.
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. Fishing up near the dams is best.
Metolius River: The spring-fed Metolius remains a solid summer angling option – one of the best because of the constant, cool water.
PMDs have been the main daytime hatch, and are all over the river. There are regular evening spinner falls. I still see golden stones on the upper river. Jeff Perin recommends Woods and Clarks Stones.
Check out Glenn’s detailed report with much more information and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Eastern Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports bi-weekly, here is this week’s report.
Temperatures are cooling. Temperatures in Northeast Oregon peak in the low 80s on Sunday, and other peak in the 70s through much of the week. Nighttime temperature dip to the 40s on the weekend, and 30s next week. There is on and off smoke haze in the Cascades, High Desert, and Southeast Oregon
Southeastern Oregon, in the high country, will have high temperatures peak at 90 on Sunday, and high 70s or 80 on the other days. Nighttime temperature dip to the 40s on the weekend, and 30s next week.
Although 98% contained, the massive size of Bootleg Fire still affects fishing opportunities in the southeast. This area will continue burning and producing smoke into the fall.
Wallowa Lake was recently stocked with 5400 legal size trout and 180 trophy trout. The lake remains one of the viable fishing options in the northeast. Rob at the The Joseph Fly Shoppe thinks Wallowa Lake is one of the best in Oregon right now for stocked trout.
Northeast Oregon High Lakes: Straight from The Joseph Fly Shoppe – “We are getting some better fishing reports this year compared to last year, but numerous lakes still fishing tough. Some of the better lakes appear to include: Anaroid, Francis, Frazier, Crescent, Raze, Ice, possibly Glacier. Some of the more difficult lakes appear to be: Maxwell, Chimney, and the heart of the Lake Basin lakes”
Imnaha River: The Imnaha is fishing well – lots of hopper and terrestrial action on the river. Water level has risen and now around 150 CFS.
Sprague River: Inaccessible. Heavily affected by the Bootleg Fire. Consider this river to be off-limits for the time being.
Williamson River: The upper Williamson is off-limits from the Bootleg Fire and parts of the area have burned, and lower stretches are affected in some areas as well.
Blitzen River: The Blitzen did warm up into the 70s during August. With nightime tempertures well into the 40s, the Blitzen is cooling and becoming fishable through at least the mornings. Terrestrials are also good now. However, reports are that the Blitzen is below normal flows.
Lofton Reservoir: Affected by the Bootleg fire. Inaccessible.
Lofton is slowing down. Try early morning. Fishing for stocked legal and trophy trout. Spoons are working, as are slow trolled leech flies.
Chewaucan River: Affected and inaccessible due to the Bootleg Fire. The river is too hot to fish. Not even an option.
Krumbo Reservoir: Inaccessible due to the Bootleg Fire. Krumbo is slowing down for trout. Turn on to warmwater species opportunities, such as bass fishing on Krumbo. Check out Glenn’s detailed report and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Another windy marine forecast for most of the Southern Oregon coast is expected through the weekend. The Rogue Bay bite has been quite good with catches of Chinook in the 20+ pound range. Lots of jacks as well (that’s a good thing). Winchester Bay and the tide water reaches of the Umpqua up past Reedsport are still getting some 20+ pound Chinook. The middle Rogue has seen some Salmon action at the deep sections like Gold Hill, Finley Bend and through the canyons. Wildfire smoke has been bad from day to day, but avid fishermen are getting Chinook and Summer Steelhead. I’m getting anxious for Fall time half pounder season and hoping the Coho will be in better numbers as well.
Brookings anglers got out on the ocean last Sunday for a few days this week. It’s supposed to be windy and best chances to target the ocean catches will be in the mornings before the afternoon tide change/ winds. Rogue Bay will be a best bet for Chinook.
Winchester bay down to Coos bay might be worth while since it will be the last bit of coho action as it will close Saturday the 28th but will remain open for Chinook. Crabbing out of there has also been good but soft shells are numerous and encouraged to throw back.
Bottom fishing is now restricted to inside the 40-fathom line unless you choose to fish in the offshore longleader fishery. Anglers may also choose to fish the offshore longleader fishery outside of the 40-fathom regulatory line, which is open year-round. The longleader fishery has a daily bag limit of 10 fish made of yellowtail, widow, canary, blue, deacon, redstripe, greenstripe, silvergray, chillipepper, and bocaccio rockfish. No other groundfish are allowed and offshore longleader fishing trips cannot be combined with traditional bottomfish, flatfish or halibut trips. Find information about a longleader setup here. As of July 1, anglers may keep one cabezon (minimum length of 16 inches) as part of their 5 fish general marine fish daily bag limit.
Nearshore halibut season is currently open seven days a week inside the 40-fathom line. Anglers have been picking up nearshore halibut in the Coos Bay/ Winchester bay area. Winds have been a big factor so far, but this weekend looks very promising if fog doesn’t keep you off the ocean. When conditions are good, halibut are being caught in the 15-25 pound range with an occasional fish into the 40’s and 50’s. It’s best to go early before the wind picks up and gets ugly.
Tony (from Tony’s Crab Shack in Bandon- 541-347-2875) said that Coho fishing out of Winchester Bay is still doing well when ocean conditions provide. Crabbing of the pier and out in the ocean from Bandon harbor has been “off the hook” great! Bottom fish have been on the bite as well and many of the black rock fish are stuffed with feeder fish. Wind might be a factor this weekend so check or call before making plans.
Smallmouth bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass in the South Fork Coquille below the mouth of the Middle Fork and in the mainstem Coquille River. There is no size limit or daily bag limit on smallmouth bass in the Coquille River. It’s recommended to catch and keep as many as one can to help keep the population at bay since these fish are not salmon, trout, and steelhead friendly.
COOS RIVER BASIN: Boat and bank anglers (on the jetty) are still catching rockfish and an occasional ling cod inside lower Coos Bay. Smaller jigs with a twister tail or 1-ounce jigging spoons have been working to catch rockfish.
Avid Salmon anglers fishing in between the jetties may be able to pick up a Chinook salmon following bait fish into the Coos estuary. The main run of the Chinook salmon entering the bay is starting to build up and will go through September.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN- Striper fishing continues in the upper end of tidewater all the way downstream to Riverton and are caught in low light conditions or in the dark. There is no size limit or daily bag limit on striped bass. Smallmouth bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass in the South Fork Coquille below the mouth of the Middle Fork and in the main stem Coquille River.
Umpqua River System- There are bass in most stretches of the river system- small mouth angling is fantastic now and Stripper angling on the lower main Umpqua is about over. More and more nice sized Chinook in the 20-30 pounds have been caught as more pressure in the lower river has increased.
Surf perch fishing in Winchester bay is fair at best. Trollers in the lower reaches of tide water are catching some nice Chinook in the 20+ pound range lately (according to Anna Alisa from Salmon Harbor Tackle). This past week has seen a greater influx of fish in the river with some nice catches. With cooling temps, salmon may start making their way upriver.
Rogue Bay Chinook fishing has been good most days as we’re in peak season. There has been “excellent quality” with 20 to 30 pounders common. Winds slowed down the action Wednesday and expects it to be rather slow as long as the bar is rough. Give it till early to mid next week. Summer Steelhead and 1/2 pounders have been taken up towards Huntley Park and bank anglers have having success around Indian Creek.
Check out Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
SW Washington Fishing Update by Terry Otto
Buoy Ten Chinook closes after today, but coho still on. Local hog lines doing better, and tributaries filling with fall fish.
Vancouver Metro Area
Chinook fishing closes in the Buoy ten fishery after today. In the Vancouver area Chinook fishing is picking up, and local anglers are getting the fish to take wobblers and more in local Columbia River hog lines. Tributaries are seeing a flush of fall salmon, and fishing is getting exciting in some of them, especially the North Fork Lewis River. Trout fishing in high lakes is improving as the fish prep for the winter, and local warm water fisheries are still doing very well.
Kokanee fishing is picking up quite a bit in both Merwin and Yale, and the fish are reaching some really nice sizes as they prep for the spawn.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—Big numbers of salmon have entered the Lewis River, and the fishing has been very good. Many of the fish are wild Chinook and Chinook jacks, which cannot be kept until October 1, but there are lots of coho jacks and adults, as well as summer steelhead for anglers to fill a limit with. The best bite for boat anglers has been at the hatchery, where the Meat Hole is jammed full of salmon. Most anglers are hover fishing with salmon eggs, and they are doing very well. The river is very low, and if bank anglers can reach the deep water, they are getting the fish on a variety of offerings. Spinners, drifted corkies, and bobber and salmon eggs are all getting plenty of action.
Chinook are trying to enter the lower sections of the Washougal River, and they are being joined by a few stray coho and summer steelhead. With the weir in place, anglers need to concentrate their efforts in the lower three river miles. The river is also still really low and clear, which will mean a tough bite, but the fish that have moved in will hold well. Bobber and bait is the best way to target the Chinook, which are mostly tules. When targeting the coho, twitching jigs works well.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—fishing has improved recently at both lakes, according to Stacie Kelsey of the WDFW Inland Fished Program. The fish are feeding hard ahead of their fall spawn, and are growing larger buy the week. The fishing is about as consistent as it has been all year, with the schools hanging in the 20-to-60-foot depth range. Trolling with kokanee flashers, and hootchies tipped with corn is still the best way to get these fish to bite.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama River Fishing Report— A few fall Chinook have been poking their noses into the river, but not many as yet. A few coho are getting around, but once again, there are only a few. Overall, fishing is slow. The summer steelhead bite has slowed down to almost nothing, according to Dave Mallahan of Dave’s Guide Service (360-201-9313). Few boats have been fishing the river lately as a result of the slow fishing.
Bobber-dogging with bait has been the best bet for the summer steelhead, but with that run pretty much over, most anglers are turning to fall salmon. The attention will shift to the reach below the Barrier Dam in the upper river now that the fall fish are beginning to show. Still, pressure is light as yet.
Salmon are pulling into the lower Kalama River, but with the low water they are not moving upstream much. Also, with the fish collection weir in place below the Modrow Bridge, there are very few fish in the upper river. Anglers are reminded that the river is closed to fishing for, or retaining, steelhead below the railroad bridge at I-5. Only fin-clipped hatchery Chinook and coho may be kept. Anglers are getting a few to bite on bobber and bait, spinners, or by twitching jigs.
Columbia River Gorge
Salmon Fishing Report—Drano Lake is fishing fair for Chinook, and in the latest creel survey, 10 boats/19 rods kept five Chinook and released one Chinook and eight steelhead. Trolling 360 flashers ahead of bait, spinners, or plugs has been effective. A few bank anglers are getting fish, too. The Wind River is also now producing a few fall Chinook as well, and trolling 360 flashers ahead of bait or plugs has been working. Anglers are starting to gather at the mouth of the White salmon River and the Klickitat River as well.
Check out Terry’s detailed report (he crushes it every week!) and forecast in this week’s paid version for SW Washington Members!
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