Portland/Metro Fishing Report – The mainstem Columbia remains a good option for Chinook salmon with the Bonneville reach remaining a top prospect for trollers working 360° flashers and spinners. We’re still in peak season here, and catches should remain robust for another 2 weeks.
Willamette River coho counts are progressing nicely, with fair catches coming upstream of Willamette Falls where anglers are allowed to catch and keep wild or hatchery coho salmon. Trolling plugs is popular, but casting spinners is another viable option. Target coho at tributary mouths such as the Tualatin and Molalla Rivers.
Clackamas River – Coho are present in good numbers here, anglers stand the best chance at success sooner, rather than later. Casting hardware will become the better option as flows drop.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “I hope that everyone had the opportunity to get out and fish over the weekend. There were fresh and some dark fish that were caught as well as a few springers still being caught.
The river is on the low side to float and if you decide to float, make sure to wear waders for you will have to drag your boat or raft over a few places.
Members Find the full report and forecast for the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
Willamette Valley Fishing by Glenn Zinkus
Upper Willamette Zone News:
All “Hoot Owl” regulations lifted.
Alton Baker Canal: Was stocked earlier this month with 1900 legal trout, and just last week with more than 1600 trout. Alton Baker Canal is scheduled to receive more than 400 trout again next week. This is a good option for bait fishing with the kids.
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.
Detroit Lake received 4000 trophy trout this past week and is scheduled to be stocked with 3700 trophy trout next week. Trout fishing should be great in coming weeks. Anglers are reporting decent rainbow trout fishing through the day, at depths of 30 to 70 feet.
There have been fewer anglers in recent week. Reports are that the kokanee bite is slowing down. Koke reports are now indicating the kokanee are deeper – in depths of 90 to 125 feet.
Green Peter Reservoir: Green Peter Reservoir is getting low and fishing reports are becoming fewer. The Thistle Creek boat ramp is accessible in the near term, and soon the reservoir will be less accessible. Catches of kokanee being reported.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
Trout fishing is improving. Floats near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers will place anglers in “fishy” areas all the way down to Harrisburg.
Still good warmwater fishing opportunities. 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.
McKenzie River: The mainstem McKenzie water level came up during the rains last week and dropping to nice fishing levels right now.
Find the full report and forecast for Chinook and Steelhead members for the Willamette Valley from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – Although the any 2 salmon season ended with a thud, anglers are still allowed to catch and keep a wild coho in Tillamook and Nestucca watersheds on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Check the regulations carefully before heading out, however. Nehalem remains CLOSED to the taking of any wild coho.
Wicked offshore weather kept most of the September coho quota from being reached. Ocean weather will remain unsettled for the foreseeable future. That’ll keep the Chinook focus inside north coast estuaries.
Improving tides should bring in more Chinook for Nestucca, Salmon, Tillamook, Nehalem, Alsea and Siletz Bay and River anglers next week. Tides are on the increase this weekend so fishing should remain productive as we’re in the middle of peak season now. Hardware, such as spinners work better the higher in the estuary you fish.
The Buoy 10 coho fishery remains strong and Chinook and jack retention begins October 1st. Seal and sea lions are working anglers hard above the bridge on the Washington side, but there are plenty of places to duck out of those hunting pinnipeds.
Razor clamming opens along Clatsop Beaches on October 1st. The best tide series won’t happen until around the 6th, however.
Crabbing should remain good to excellent in most north coast estuaries although stronger tides next week may hamper success.
Members see the full report and forecast for the north coast right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Reports – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Spring Fed Rivers Producing – Fall River and Metolius Fishing Well
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
The first weekend of October is looking great
Friday will be a bit cool, with temperatures in the mid-60s and some overcast. Temperatures throughout Central Oregon will in the 70s through the weekend and through the first couple of days of next week.
The Cascades Lakes area will be the same as most of Central Oregon, with highs in the 70s through the weekend and first few days of next week.
The Deschutes Canyon will have temperatures in the 70s, possibly 80s through the weekend.
Angling Restrictions
Lower Deschutes River steelhead angling restrictions have been extended.
From the Deschutes River mouth at Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids the following regulations apply:
Lower Deschutes River:
Water temperatures range from lows of 55.5 degrees to highs of 57 degrees near Madras.
Nymphing this past week has been effective, as well fishing a bead head leech. Copper Johns, Perdigons, 2 Bit Hookers, Zebra Midges have been good this past week.
The usual selection of caddis that have been consistent through the summer are still active as we approach fall, with tans, greys, olives (even some black late in the day), in sizes 14-16. With temperatures in the 70s going into next week, this caddis activity should continue.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of Oct 1 for the season.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are 161 CFS at the dam. Fishing is great with afternoon dry fly fishing with PMD and BWO hatches. Nymphing is also great when the dry fly action is off.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked earlier this month with a total of 1500 trophy trout over the month including last week with 500 trophy trout. Fall River is scheduled to be stocked again next week. There have been some PMD, BWO and caddis hatches, as well as some action on terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers). Mahogany duns are hatching.
Metolius River: I saw a few bigger drakes yesterday, but these were few in comparison to some of the PMDs and Mahoghany duns that the fish seemed to be crushing on the opposite bank. Some places on the lower river were a virtual hatch factory. Saw some golden stones fluttering through the air up-river.
Hosmer: Hosmer is fishing well, with September and October being some prime months. Hosmer remains popular with the recent and upcoming warm weather weekend.
This week’s report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus, between the John Day and Deschutes Rivers indicates that fishing in the area has slowed down. Maybe because of the recent rains. The folks at Gorge Outfitters are hoping for fishing to pick up now that rivers are receding, and a weekend warmup is coming.
Check out Glenn’s detailed report with much more information and forecast in this week’s paid version for Members!
Eastern Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports bi-weekly, here is last week’s report.
Sun and warm weather will spread across the high desert, mountains, and into Eastern Oregon.
Northeast Oregon will be in the 70s through the weekend, and highs in the 50s much of next week. Sunny on the weekend, and partly cloudy conditions are in the forecast for next week.
Blitzen River: The Blitzen still gets too warm during the afternoons, but early morning temperatures are in the high 50s. Fishing is viable for a few hours during the morning. Flows remain low in the 23 to 26 CFS range, near historic low averages.
The Bootleg Fire is making a lot of what inaccessible.
Wallowa Lake is fishing well for trout. Wallowa Lake was stocked in August with 5400 legal size trout and 180 trophy trout. 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”
Wallowa River: A great fishing option for Northeast Oregon – The Wallowa River is fishing great with good reports coming from The Joseph Fly Shoppe. Wallowa River flow increased through the week to 170 CFS. This is one of the most solid options in the Northeast.
Check out Glenn’s detailed report and forecast in this week’s paid version for Members!
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports
It’s starting to look and feel like Fall time! Half pounders and summer steelhead are present throughout the Rogue River as well as some Fall Chinook below Hog Creek. The river has raised slightly 1450 cfs as of today and has cooled down to the low 50’s. The Rogue Bay is still producing Chinook along with coho although the bite has slowed but still worth a try since ocean probability is low for the weekend. The Coos River has also been picking up. There’s ample opportunity for salmon and steelhead throughout the Rogue and coastal rivers. Some of the lakes and ponds are still fishable and one can try for some left over trout and some panfish action.
The past week’s rain and storm conditions kept most boats off the ocean that wanted to target tuna, halibut and rock fish. This weekend doesn’t look so good either. September which normally is low wind month has not been the norm so far…. at least it’s keeping the halibut quota for being met. Conditions for any of the south coast port will need to be checked on a day-to-day basis.
Tony from Tony’s Crab Shack in Bandon- 541-347-2875 provides a latest fishing update:
Crabbing was off a couple of days after the recent rain but every day is getting better with lots of hard shells and limits!
Tony heard that the Coos River has been producing some jacks and a fair number of coho and the Chinook catches have remained slow.
Tony also mentions that the Port of Bandon along with the Coquille Indian tribe are combining efforts to increase Chinook returns by implementing a seining project at Ferry Creek to capture Chinook and transfer up river. Last week there was 8 Chinook netted and relocated.
Stripper fishing in the lower stretches of the Coquille continue to bring catches to those wanting to target them. Salmon fishing is closed to the entire river due to low returning numbers.
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.
Chinook catches continued spotty in the Coos Basin with most salmon anglers working the Marshfield Channel and in the Coos River. Salmon anglers fishing near Empire and the airport have been catching coho. Salmon anglers are allowed 2 wild Chinook per day and 10 for the season in the Coos Basin this year. The limited wild coho season started in Coos Basin on Sept. 15 and goes through Oct. 15. Anglers will be allowed to harvest 1 wild coho per day with 2 for the season in the Coos Basin.
CHETCO RIVER: Rain from last week stirred up a little action, but until major rain get the river up and moving, fish are holding up outside the mouth. Some boat anglers working the green can into the harbor have caught a few salmon trolling anchovy. Temporary rule changes for wild adult Chinook are now in place Aug. 31-Dec. 31. One wild adult Chinook per day and two for the rest of the year. All other zone regulations still apply including the bobber rule. The ocean-terminal ‘bubble’ fishery will not be open this year.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN- Striper fishing is starting to pick up again in the lower Coquille River. Striped bass can be found in the river from near Johnson Mill Pond to Rocky Point in the lower estuary. There is no size limit or daily bag limit and are caught in low light conditions or in the dark. 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
Jim at Rogue Outdoor Store – Gold Beach, Oregon 541-247-7142 reports: the Rogue Bay has slowed dramatically after the last rain but is optimistic that the (proverbial) Fat Lady might just be warming up and not sung yet. Boat action is down to under 50 working the bay area. Fish lingering in and out of the bay moved upriver but some new fish and some late bigger fish is what he expects anytime.
Steelhead fishing for both summer and half pounders are in full swing throughout the middle river. Flows from last weekend’s rain bumped slightly and helped move fish around. Flow is back to around 1250 cfs. Bank anglers targeting the pocket water by large boulders.
Chinook fishing is closed from Fishers Ferry upstream to Cole Rivers Hatchery through the end of the year. Anglers can only retain hatchery trout (5 per day) and hatchery steelhead. Summer steelhead has improved with both bank and boat anglers catching some nice fish after the rain last weekend. Anglers are encouraged to be mindful of spawning spring Chinook salmon and avoid disturbing these fish as they spawn over the next month. Especially with the extremely low flows, boat anglers are encouraged to fish below Shady Cove, and preferably Dodge Bridge as drift boats and rafts may drag bottom in some shallow riffles.
UMPQUA RIVER System– The main is restricted to one wild adult Chinook per day and five per year. There is no retention of wild coho in the Umpqua this year. Bass fishing throughout the Umpqua basin is great.
Check out Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s paid version for Members!
SW Washington Members! You now have access to the full access to the Columbia River section of our site and all the reporting and forecasting available to Oregon Members. You can find the reporting for the Columbia River here.
SW Washington Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Chinook has slowed in the Columbia but is still fairly good. Bonneville and the Kalama area produced best this week. Local hog lines are still getting some action, too. The tributaries have been plagued by a tough bite, but the coho are there in droves.
Vancouver Metro Area
The Fishing has slowed, but just a bit, in the local Columbia River hoglines. The Chinook just keep on coming. Anglers are now getting coho to bite trolled spinners behind 360 flashers as well. Sturgeon fishing has been slow during recent retention openers.
The tributaries are loaded with salmon, but the low water has made for a tough bite. However, this week’s rains may have helped bring in more fish and driven the coho to be more aggressive.
Local lowland lakes are beginning to pick up for holdover trout, with Battle Ground and Horseshoe showing signs of life ahead of fall trout stockings. Panfish have slowed a little but are still biting well in places.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—The Lewis River is still loaded with coho, but the bite has gotten tough this past week. For example, in the latest creel survey 33 bank rods kept two coho and released one Chinook and one coho. 4 boats/8 rods kept four coho jacks. These are catches well below what they were just two weeks ago. The water is a little too low for twitching jigs, but some anglers have found success with the method. Other methods have worked better, such as bobber and eggs, spinners, or drift fishing in the fast water.
Boat anglers are targeting the Meat Hole at the hatchery, and bank anglers have been doing the same. While the numbers of fish drop as you move downstream, there is less pressure, too. Some anglers are working from the golf course up, and a few fish continue to be caught near Woodland. There is not much going on above the hatchery right now.
The Washougal has a lot of Chinook pooled up in the lower holes, but they are skittish in the low, clear water. Recent rains did help some, but more is needed. Still, there are a few bright Chinook mixed in with the tules, and those Brights bite better. A few anglers are getting some of those bright fish by throwing bobber and eggs in the deep holes. The best access is in the lower three miles of the river, and that is where most of the action is taking place.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report—Anglers are still doing very well on the kokanee, although the crowding has been less recently. Many anglers have switched to chasing salmon in the Columbia and the tributaries, leaving more room on the kokanee lakes. The fish are still biting well ahead of the spawn, which should begin in earnest this month. Right now, the schools are holding near the mouths of the bays where they will eventually spawn. Fishers have been getting them to bite by trolling hootchies tipped with corn behind kokanee flashers, while some anglers have found success by jigging for them.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Fishing picked up in the lower Cowlitz this week, with a few more retainable coho showing up in the mix, while fishing in the upper river remains slow. The coho being caught are mixed in with Chinook, which can’t be kept in the Cowlitz this year, and steelhead. The early returns are driven by the hatchery coho headed to the Toutle River. During the latest WDFW creel survey below the I-5 Bridge, three bank rods had no catch. 39 boats/102 rods kept 13 coho, six coho jacks, one steelhead and released 29 Chinook, 16 coho and one steelhead.
Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 1,786 coho adults, 700 coho jacks, 507 fall Chinook adults, 13 fall Chinook jacks, 27 spring Chinook adults, one spring Chinook jack, 27 summer-run steelhead adults, and 24 cutthroat trout during five days of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator.
The lower Kalama is fishing well for salmon, according to reports that John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000), has been hearing. Last week’s rains did lift the river for a bit, but most of the fish are still below the fish collection weir located just below the Modrow Bridge. Unfortunately, Thompson said the word has gotten out about the good fishing, and the pressure has increased. Anglers are getting the coho to take spinners, bobber and eggs, jigs, and plugs.
Columbia River Gorge
There are still lots of Chinook being caught at the mouth of the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers. Jigging wobblers works best at the White Salmon, but trolling or hover fishing is the go-to at the Klickitat.
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