Buoy 10 and Ocean Fishing Reports with the Weekly Oregon Fishing Report for Aug 20
Portland/Metro Fishing Report
With Chinook slow to show at Bonneville, anglers are getting anxious to get the upper river fishery underway. It’ll be another 3 weeks before anglers can justify an effort in the Portland/Metro area, but that won’t stop motivated anglers from trying. The best action remains at the coast.
Clackamas River Fishing Report
Summer steelhead remain an option, especially with the cooling trend this week. And not just the fish will enjoy the temperature change. Fish up high, around McIver Park for your best chance at a summer steelhead.
The Clackamas River HGMP just got approved for Clackamas River spring Chinook, help is on the way for an improved broodstock for this system. Most are confident it will revive the hatchery returns on this river.
Sandy River Fishing Report
Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports on the Sandy River – There are still fish to be had but they are near the end of the run. There are steelhead and few salmon still available in the upper river from Oxbow to cedar creek.
One bright spot is the mouth of the Sandy where fall salmon and coho swim by the mouth of the Sandy and with the water temp cooler than the Columbia. These fish will hang out and stage there before they either head up the Sandy or continue up the Columbia.
Detroit Reservoir: Update on Detroit Lake Ramps and Parking: The low water ramp is in use at Detroit Reservoir. Parking is only allowed at the main parking lot. This is to free up space at the only ramps that are usable, and allow more boaters access and egress.
Green Peter Reservoir: Continues to be good for kokes in mid-August. Catches of kokanee being reported – trolling with downriggers in depths in and around 40 feet. Pinks, copper, gold and silver flash colors were working in July, and there are no changes to the effective colors as of today. One angler report, “anything with corn on it” is working.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany: A great option for warmwater fishing. This, along with some private farm ponds, remains one of the viable fishing alternatives in the upper portions of the Willamette system. Evening fishing for smallmouths, especially in the slow water sloughs. Flyfishing with leech patterns and top waters is especially good. Lures including all kinds of topwaters, Rebels, Rapalas are fishing great in the evening just before sunset. Sloughs just downstream of Harrisburg are filled with smallmouth bass.
McKenzie River: The mainstem McKenzie has been stocked during July. The McKenzie temperatures vary from an okay 56 degrees in the morning to 62 degrees in the afternoon. Fish during the mornings!
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.
The ocean has been a bit rough in recent days so anglers on the north coast have been reverting to the Nehalem Bay fishery, where action has been hot and cold for this week. There’s been some decent bites around the city of Nehalem itself and the bigger tide series this week will likely keep the action best in the upper reaches of tidewater.
Meanwhile, fall Chinook have been reported in Tillamook Bay and other estuaries such as the Salmon, Nestucca and Siletz should also harbor a few early returning fall Chinook. Coho should also start showing in light numbers later this week in Tillamook and Nehalem Bays.
Bottomfishing remains excellent, halibut fishing not so much.
Offshore coho fishing is also still excellent, only 8 more day of opportunity and I’m not sure the south of Falcon fishery will hit 60% of their large quota this year. More Chinook are starting to show in the saltwater fishery.
Tuna remain FAR offshore, not many are pursuing them that far.
Soft-shells are making up about 50% of the ocean catch and that will likely be the case for the next several weeks.
Your ocean and Buoy 10 Fishing Report from August 19th, 2021. Look for this report EVERY evening, mailed DIRECTLY to our subscribers!
Central Oregon Fishing Reports
Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
There’s been a nice cooling period during the week through Central Oregon, although there is on and off smoke haze in the Cascades and High Desert.
The Central Oregon area will have high temperatures in the 70s and 80s through most of the region. High country will be a little cooler, 60s during the day and 30s at night. Hike in lakes are starting to look good.
The Cascade Lakes Highway area will have temperatures of around 70 through Saturday, mid 70s to start the week, and 80s by midweek. Moderate winds on Friday and Saturday, light winds in the forecast most days.
The Lower Deschutes canyon will see highs in the high 70s and low 80s through the weekend, hitting 90 again midweek next week. Afternoon winds of 10 – 15 mph through the weekend, and 8 – 9 mph next week.
The Columbia River Gorge area will have temperatures in the mid to high 70s through the weekend, climbing to 90 next week.
As a reminder, ODFW established “Hoot Owl” regulations limiting fishing hours on these waters
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
Hoot Owl Restrictions remain lifted. Water temperatures are starting to drop with the more moderate temperatures of the last several days, and releases from the dam may be up to 2 degrees F cooler, and are currently around 55 degrees.
Temperatures near the mouth are peaking at about 66 degrees during the afternoons and evenings, and 62 degrees during the early mornings.
There are nothing but good reports on the trout fishing from Warm Springs to Trout Creek. Every angler and shop I know have been reporting good fishing.
Middle Deschutes River: Hatches of PMDs, PEDs, and caddis are happening.
Upper Deschutes River: The upper Deschutes has been fishing well, with nymphing being the primary method now. Brook trout are being caught on Perdigons, Frenchies, Jig Style PTs.
Lake Billy Chinook: Reports of good kokanee fishing in both the Deschutes and Metolius arms. Jigging with gold and silver colors.
Crooked River flows have increased to about 200 CFS at the dam recently and still at 200 CFS as of August 19.
Fall River has been stocked with 1000 trophy trout earlier in the month. Reports from The Flyfishers Place is that the hatches have been slower. That said, trout are going for micro leeches and midge nymphs. The guys at Fly & Field report the same thing – inconsistent hatches.
Prineville Reservoir: Josh Pardee for Tim’s Fishin Tackle Shop in Lapine reports ridiculously good fishing for Crappie in Prineville Reservoir. The reservoir is at 30 % full as of today.
Odell remains a constant for kokanee and Mackinaw fishing with good reports all around. There is on and off smoke from the fires near Oakridge, depending upon the winds. It changes constantly right now.
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 last week’s report.
We are in the middle of another heat wave, with temperatures in the high 90s and 100s through the region, and a heat advisory through Saturday at 8PM. There is on and off smoke haze in the Cascades, High Desert, and Southeast Oregon.
ODFW News Update: In Wallowa County, the bag and size limits will be lifted for the following bodies of water from July 14 through Sept. 30:
- Honeymoon Pond
- Tee Pee Pond
- McGraw Pond
- Salt Creek Summit Pond, and;
- Kinney Lake
In Baker County, the bag and size limits will be lifted for the following bodies of water July 15 through Oct. 10:
- Phillips Reservoir between Mason Dam and Hudspeth Road
- Thief Valley Reservoir, and;
- Powder River between Thief Valley Reservoir and Phillips Reservoir
EXCEPTIONS: Bull Trout and Tiger Muskie must be released unharmed in the water body they are encountered.
Hoot Owl Restrictions: Walla Walla River and Tributaries
- 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 Walla Walla River and all tributaries.
Ana Reservoir: LIKELY AFFECTED BY SMOKE FROM THE BOOTLEG FIRE There are reports of good fishing on Ana Reservoir for legal and trophy size trout.
Trolling lures and flies, and bait are taking fish.
Blitzen River: The Blitzen has warmed up with temperatures in the 70s. This is not a good fishing option right now, especially with the current hot weather.
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.
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.
Klamath River: Closed between Keno dam and JC Boyle Reservoir. Golden stones are active below JC Boyle dam. Evening caddis activity below JC Boyle.
Owyhee River: Evenings with streamers are the time to hit the Owyhee.
Wallowa Lake: 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 heat. The kokanee bite is on and catch rates are good. Grande Ronde River: Report from Rob at the Joseph Fly Shoppe are that there are active stone flies on the lower portion. Good Bass fishing below Troy. The river has dropped to a nice level.
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:
Windy and near gale marine forecast for most of the Southern coast is expected through the weekend. Charters out of Bookings have been cancelled at least through Saturday. The Rogue Bay is at its peak now with a good steady bite from last weekend but has tapered down since the winds have picked up mid-week. Winchester Bay and the tide water reaches of the Umpqua are still getting some good crab catches and 20+ pound Chinook from the bay bar up through tidewater. The middle to upper Rogue has seen a little more Summer Steelhead action, but valley smoke has deterred many from recreating on the river.
It’s going to be gale force winds through Saturday at least, so ocean opportunities for bottom fish, halibut, tuna or salmon is off the table. Last Thursday until this Tuesday, boats were getting halibut, bottom fish and even tuna within 20 miles, but all of that’s changed until at least early next week.
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. The valley heat this week has made for morning fog and temps into the mid 50’s and a flatter ocean. It’s expected to be similar into Sunday.
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.
Salmon anglers fishing in between the jetties may be able to pick up a Chinook salmon following baitfish into the Coos estuary. The majority of the Chinook salmon entering the bay is in late August and September.
Trout fishing in streams and rivers remains open through Oct. 31. Anglers fishing above the head of tide are restricted to using artificial lures and flies. Water temperatures are already in the mid-70s in the upper tidewater. Tenmile Lakes– The lake water temperatures has increased to lower 70s where most largemouth bass have moved to their summer locations.
Surf perch- Perch fishing is has slowed but can still produce in the mouths and jetties of the Umpqua and Coquille. Boats targeting these delicious and fun to catch fish are anchoring on the inside of a jetty and dropping down bait.
Salmon- Chinook and Coho is on. Fishing out in around 100′-150′ deep out from the river mouths and troll plug cut herring behind a flasher 10-15 feet down, you’ll be in the target zone.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN- Striper fishing has improved 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.
Rogue Bay Chinook fishing has been steady and seems to be about at it’s peak. There has been “excellent quality” with 20 to 30 pounders common.
UMPQUA RIVER System– 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).
Check out Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s paid version for Chinook and Steelhead Members both!
Chinook photo by Terry Otto
SW Washington Fishing Report
Buoy 10 is heating up, and a few Chinook are showing in the Vancouver Area hog lines. Tributaries remain slow, but the fall fish are on the way.
Vancouver Metro Area
A few fall Chinook have been taken in local hog lines near Vancouver, although we are still a week or two from the real numbers. On some days the fish show, and on others they don’t. The tributaries are still slow, but there have been a few reports of fresh salmon, and the first good catches are on the way Chinook photo by Terry Otto
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Warm water fisheries are hot everywhere, but the walleye bite on the Washougal Reef is still slow. Catfish, bass, and panfish are biting well just about everywhere, according to Stacie Kelsey of the WDFW Inland Fished Program. She also reports that high-country trout fishing is beginning to improve.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—It’s still slow fishing on the Lewis River, but there have been reports of a few salmon being caught already. We are still a week or two away from the better fishing, but with a few Chinook showing in the Columbia already, the first good catches should come fairly soon. Steelhead angling is still very slow, and the most recent WDFW survey found 11 bank rods with no catch, while six boats/13 rods kept one steelhead.
The Washougal River is still low and clear, and the WDFW has installed the fish weir. There will probably not be much to fish for here until the first of the Chinook enter the river.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—According to Kelsey, the fishing at Merwin picked up some this week. The fish are still in the same patterns, from 20 to 60 feet deep, but they have been holding a little higher in the water column on the cloudy days. The schools have been a little more consistent this week, and more anglers are doing well.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Fishing for steelhead in the upper river continues to slow down, and there have been few reports of any salmon being caught as of yet. Fishing pressure has been less, probably as most boats are out fishing Buoy Ten. Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 108 summer-run steelhead adults, 56 spring Chinook adults, six spring Chinook jacks, 143 spring Chinook mini jacks, 25 cutthroat trout, eight fall Chinook adults, and one fall Chinook jack during five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
The lower river fishing is still slow, but a few fish have been caught by anglers plunking. Anglers are reminded that the river is closed to steelhead below the Lexington Bridge to protect summer steelhead bound for Idaho that enter the river to escape warm temps in the Columbia.
Chinook anglers have started fishing the mouth of the river, but just a few have been taken so far.
The Kalama is fishing very slow for the poor summer steelhead run, and anglers are looking for the first salmon of the year in the lower river.
Columbia River Gorge
Drano Lake Fishing Report—A few thousand fall Chinook have crossed over Bonneville, and that should improve the fishing in Drano. During the last creel survey, four bank rods had no catch, while 25 boats/51 rods kept five Chinook, one jack and released one jack and 31 steelhead. Anglers are reminded that fishing for, or retaining steelhead is not allowed this year.
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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