Portland, Oregon Fishing Report, Metro Area – Chinook fishing on the mainstem Columbia is slowing down but the Gorge is still producing good catches although darker fish are starting to dominate the catches. The Columbia Chinook run is winding down.
Willamette River coho anglers are watching in delight, the number of coho ascending Willamette Falls. Although they are not the best of biters, coho are being caught with regularity at the mouths of the Tualitin, Molalla and Santiam systems. Early mornings are best.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River anglers are remaining focused on waters upstream of Carver Park, Eagle Creek in particular. Numbers of returning fish seem robust but as many would say, they get a bit “lock-jawy” this time of year.
With the bulk of the coho destined for Eagle Creek, you might guess that’s where the bulk of the effort is taking place.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “This week the river went off color for a few days and then it dropped into shape on Saturday. There were some nice fish caught on Saturday with spinners, eggs, twitching jigs and sand shrimp under a bobber.
The Sandy is predicted to get around eight thousand fish returning this year.
Fall trout fishing can be good this time of year, on lakes such as Henry Hagg.
Find the full report and forecast for Chinook and Steelhead members for the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
Glenn provides updates bi-weekly. Members can find last week’s report and more from this page here.
North Coast Oregon Fishing Report
Seaweed Frustrating Tillamook Bay Anglers, Fall Chinook In Peak Season
Tillamook Bay anglers are quickly becoming Tillamook Bay angers as coho dominate the catches most days. Not that this is a bad thing, particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when coho are allowed to be retained. Most anglers are fighting their way through copious amounts of seaweed, in search of a rare Chinook salmon.
It’s kinda been the case in recent years, more coho than Chinook, anglers are asking, “Why aren’t Chinook listed under the ESA?” Chinook are returning to the bay in fair numbers, but we’ve witnessed this lull in activity by early October in recent years. Early September success rates have been sadly misleading.
The ocean has been upside down as of late, forcing anglers to recreate in the weed-filled estuary. The stronger tides as of late have swept in the sea vegetation, along with the broken and cut-off eel grass that keeps circulating in the bay as well.
The Nehalem is LOADED with wild coho, and a few hatchery fish as well. A keeper fish, either a hatchery coho or any Chinook, is hard to find on the Nehalem right now. There is NO catch and keep wild coho fishery being prosecuted on the Nehalem this year (I’m just the messenger…).
Further south, Nestucca anglers are also struggling for consistent results. Fortunately, they too have a coho retention option on Wednesdays and Saturdays, like Tillamook does. Chinook action has slowed, but persistent anglers are still finding fair success.
The Salmon River is past its peak now although fall Chinook remain available, mostly close to the hatchery.
The Alsea River has been surprisingly slow in recent days. Despite being in peak season, and the fact that fish are pretty well distributed in the tidewater reaches, anglers have struggled in recent days.
The Siletz has been mediocre as of late. This system isn’t yielding the catches it has been in recent years, but it’s still a worthwhile fishery.
Other, mostly saltwater fisheries have not been an option lately, largely due to a big ocean as of late. Bar restrictions have been common, putting halibut, ocean coho (now closed), ocean crabbing, albacore fishing and bottomfishing, all on hold. It’s unfortunate, as October can provide some excellent saltwater options. Friday (tomorrow) may offer a window of opportunity, however.
Bay crabbing remains good, if not excellent in many estuaries.
Razor clam digging was what most expected, excellent.
See the full report and forecast for Members right here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Much of Central Oregon will be in the 50s through the weekend, with some possible rain showers on Sunday.
The Cascades Lakes area will be cool like most of Central Oregon, with highs in the 50s through the Saturday, and 40s first few days of next week.
The Deschutes Canyon will have temperatures in the 60s through Saturday, with some showers and temperatures in the 50s on Sunday. Highs in the 50s going into next week.
Lower Deschutes River: Now that we are into October, water temperatures are looking good and I will only report on anything beyond the norm.
October caddis are happening; this makes for a good dry – dropper combination. October caddis pupa patterns have been especially effective – I’ve had success with a Morrish Deep October Caddis Pupa pattern.
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.
Expect to see some October caddis are popping up on the river, and Mahogany duns should be in your box this time of year.
Middle Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is fishing well; euronymphing in the morning and caddis in the afternoon and evenings.
Water levels are at good levels, and Jeff Perin of The Flyfisher’s Place opines that he thinks the Middle Deschutes should be fishing well over this month of October
Friends did well last week fishing above Steelhead Falls; a couple of brown trout and a redside.
Haystack Reservoir: Fill level is 31 %. Bass fishing has been excellent.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are 160 CFS at the dam, although there is some variability. There was a spike last weekend, and there could more more ahead. Fishing is great with afternoon dry fly fishing with PMD, BWO, and mahogany dun hatches.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked last week with 500 trophy trout. There have been some BWO and caddis hatches, midges, as well as some action on terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers). Mahogany duns are hatching.
Metolius River: Last week the most prevalent bugs I saw were 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.
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 20 % full as of today.
Check out Glenn’s detailed report with much more information and forecast in this week’s Member’s version.
Eastern Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports bi-weekly, here is this week’s report.
EASTERN/SOUTHEASTERN OREGON Fishing Report
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.
Ana Reservoir: There are reports of good fishing on Ana Reservoir for legal and trophy size trout. Trout are going for callibaetis and caddis.
Upper Klamath Lake: Starting to fish well with cooler temperatures. This is now a great October option.
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.
Wallowa River: The Joseph Fly Shoppe reports Wallowa trout fishing is still very good for large trout and fish numbers.
Imnaha River: Rob at The Joseph Fly Shoppe reports he heard of one steelhead caught on the Imnaha.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
Well, the Rogue Bay is pretty much a wrap now. Only a few local die hards are working it in hopes of catching one of those late coming 5-year-old hawgs people talk about… I hope so! The main salmon action has been in the Chetco Estuary (salmon is closed in the ocean) since it got some much-needed rain to get some nice Chinook nosing around. This river fishery will go on till December depending on water level. Summer steelhead are throughout the Rogue River along with half pounders and an occasional Chinook is still being caught below Hog Creek (more for the catch then for the table). Coho should be scattered around the Rogue as well as 1 has been counted at the hatchery so far and lots have been reported on the lower Rogue. Nice Fall weather is also a good time to take the kids out to target bass and panfish at the local small lakes and ponds too.
A decent marine forecast for most of the Southern Oregon coast is expected through the weekend so ocean fishing will be on again for halibut, and rock fish. Catches out of Brookings this week have been excellent for rockfish as the ocean finally calmed down.
Conditions for this weekend looks promising as well to get out and target halibut, ling cod, and rock fish as well as working the Chetco Estuary with 50+ boats. Be patient and use common sense as everybody from the Rogue Bay is now fishing the Chetco. Trolling anchovy or herring is the norm here. Until significant rain raises the river level up, it’s going to be estuary fighter fishing.
Chinook fishing continues to be slow with most of the anglers are fishing Marshfield Channel and in the Coos River. Fishing for coho salmon has been very good the past two weeks for anglers fishing near Empire and the airport. 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.
Diamond Lake-Colder temps and lower lake level is making trout catches more challenging. Fly fishers seem to be doing slightly better and will be mostly in mid-morning or late evening. Rain in the forecast is expected to improve the bite.
CHETCO RIVER: The estuary has been hectic with boat and bank anglers lately as the recent 10 days have produced some nice catches.
OQUILLE 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.
Middle Rogue– Steelhead fishing has picked up all throughout the river now as it is prime time for Summer Steelhead. As of last week, 1424 Summer Steelhead has been counted at the Cole Rivers Hatchery. Fall river flow is around 1100 and temperature in the low 50’s.
Upper Rogue- 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.
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir – There is excellent public access throughout The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir remain open year-round, with a retention limit of 5 trout. Stocked trout in this reach are not fin-clipped.Check out Jeff’s detailed report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!
SW Washington Fishing Report
Vancouver Metro Area
Although it has slowed a little bit, Local hoglines continue to produce Chinook, and some anglers are doing well by trolling 360 flashers and spinners. Also, the Camas Slough opened to salmon fishing on October 1.
Local tributaries are filled with salmon, but the bite has slowed in most of them. A real burst of rain would help the bite, and that may be on the way. However, the early run of coho should be past its peak by now. The late runs of coho will start to show in a week or two.
Holdover trout are waking up in local lowland lakes, and warm water species are still biting, albeit a bit slower, in the local lakes.
Lewis and Washougal Rivers Fishing Report—The Lewis River is full of coho, but the fishing has been slow. However, the WDFW has raised the adult coho limit to 6 adults, citing the fact that the run will far exceed the hatchery brood stock needs. Also, Anglers can now keep two Chinook a day, fin-clipped or not, as part of their daily limit. Most of the action is centered around the hatchery, where anglers fishing the Meat Hole are getting a few fish to bite on salmon eggs and by twitching jigs. However, a recent creel survey shows how slow the bite has been, with 18 bank rods keeping just one coho.
Bank anglers are fishing bobber and eggs, twitching jigs, or drifting in the fast water sections. Hover fishing and twitching jigs has worked for boaters.
The Washougal has also suffered from low water, but the lower holes have good numbers of chinook in them, and some anglers are getting them to take bobber and eggs. The Camas slough has now opened for salmon, but there has been no report as yet on angler success. The slough is mostly a coho show, and the Washougal gets a strong late run. Until they start to show in a couple weeks the slough may fish slow.
Merwin and Yale Lakes Fishing Report – John Thompson of Sportsman’s Warehouse in Vancouver, (360) 604-8000), reports that anglers have begun getting the kokanee to bite by jigging, and the schools are still massing up toward the bays where they will spawn. The Speelyai Bay area has been producing well over the last couple of weeks. The best depths are reportedly from 20 to 40 feet. Kokanee flashers trolled ahead of hootchies tipped with corn is still one of the best ways to get the fish to bite, although the spawn-ready fish are also taking jigged baits.
Longview Area
Cowlitz and Kalama Rivers Fishing Report—Things are still slow in the upper Cowlitz, but there are enough coho around now to make it worth the while to fish it. Last week, Tacoma Power employees recovered 4,552 coho adults, 1,524 coho jacks, 406 fall Chinook adults, and 10 fall Chinook jacks in a week of operations at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. A few coho are falling for both boat and bank anglers, following a rise in the river flows. Salmon eggs, jigs, and plugs are all getting bit right now. The reach from the Barrier Dam down to Blue Creek is where most of the coho are holding.
The lower river is still fishing fair to good, with a mix of Chinook, steelhead, and coho ending up in the batch. Most of the Chinook are now turning dark. Drifting and bobber and eggs have taken many of the fish, but some are taking jigs. In the Cowlitz itself salmon eggs, fished beneath a bobber, has been the go-to, but plugs, spinners, and jigs are also scoring.
The Kalama is full of Chinook and coho salmon, with most of the action still taking place in the lower river below the fish collection weir. Spinners, bobber and eggs, twitching jigs, or throwing plugs are all getting strikes. The word has gotten out, and the fishing pressure is pretty serious. Early mornings are best, but cloudy days have seen a better bite all day.
Columbia River Gorge
Fishing has slowed just a bit at the mouths of the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, with most of the Chinook starting to turn dark. Some bright fish are still available. Jigging wobblers works best at the White Salmon and trolling 360 flashers with spinners is working well at the Klickitat. Late run coho headed to the Klickitat are giving a boost to trollers there.
Local Lakes Fishing Report—Goose Lake has been fishing very well for the big cutthroats, and Rowland Lake is doing well for bluegill and a few bass.
You can read Terry Otto’s most recent article on fall turkey hunting in the Columbian Newspaper HERE.
Check out Terry’s detailed report (he crushes it every week!) and forecast in this week’s SW Washington Member’s version! Not a SW Washington Member? You can find our more about that here.
Much more on the site for Oregon Members:
Chinook and Steelhead Members (Subscribe here)
- Log on and get our complete Oregon fishing reports and forecasts for the Willamette, Clackamas and Sandy Rivers, Columbia, North Coast, Central and Eastern Oregon and SW Oregon too! Please note our new EXPANDED COVERAGE with great content from writers Glenn Zinkus and Jeff Rome!
Chinook Members also have access to more than Oregon fishing reports…
- Bill Monroe’s article this week, The Rod of My Daydreams
- Buzz Ramsey’s article last week, About Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- Your Salmon Trout Steelheader article this week is Trying Out the “Spinfish” Salmon Trolling Hardbait Lure with Big Dave & Nick Amato
All the STS articles are located here.
- Don’t forget to open your during the week fishing report and FORECAST for the fisheries Bob Rees is participating in.
Find out more about becoming an Oregon Member here!
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