Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – It’s all over for Columbia River anglers. Thursday was the last day and although fishing did pick up for trollers working the lower river, there’s a reason we got an additional 6 days of opportunity; it wasn’t all that good.
Managers will look at the numbers and hopefully the run starts to build some momentum where dam counts at Bonneville start improving, which would enable additional opportunity later in the spring. For now, the run, as predicted, is trailing last year’s numbers at this time.
That leaves the Willamette however, where catches bumped last week, but spring run-off on the mainstem Columbia has backed up the Willamette, compromising opportunity for anglers in what should be the most productive fishery in the region following the Columbia closure.
Catches have slowed, and with stable water conditions comes the standard pattern of lower river trollers taking the lion’s share of the catch. Those working the lower Multnomah Channel from St. Helens to Coon Island is producing fair catches.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Despite a downturn in effort, the Clackamas is still worth your time if catch and release wild steelhead fishing is your thing. There has also been a fair showing of early returning summer steelhead to keep anglers engaged.
The spring Chinook return on this river is expected to be better than last year’s return, but often comes later in the year when flows get a bit too low to target them from a boat.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Sandy River anglers are experiencing much the same as the Clackamas, a mix of down-running winter steelhead, a few bright wild ones and a rare nickel bright summer-run steelhead for their efforts on this system.
There have been a few rumored spring Chinook in the system, and that’s not uncommon for this time of year.
Anglers won’t experience much competition here, as anglers will a drive for consumptive opportunities are trying their luck for Willamette River spring Chinook at this time. Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – For all intents and purposes, the winter steelhead on the coast has slowed to a crawl. That’s not to say another bright batch of winters and/or summers won’t hit the coastal systems (that remain open) on any given day, we have that history, but for now, action is slow, with few anglers in pursuit.
The Wilson and Nestucca systems remain the top options, but another rain freshet would be a game changer for these later returning fish. The Siletz is a distant 3rd.
Spring Chinook season opened on April 1st, but robust catches are still a month away.
The Pacific Fisheries Management Council adopted ocean salmon seasons on Thursday. They look very similar to last year although the quotas aren’t as robust for coho due to a slight down-turn in predicted returns to some drainages.
A good synopsis of the seasons can be found HERE, in an ODF&W press release.
A rough ocean kept most saltwater anglers at bay this week. The ocean looks a bit too rough for feasible opportunity for the near future as well.
Members – read the latest and complete fishing report and forecast in the NW Oregon section of our site.
Fishing the Lower Willamette
Fishing the Lower Willamette with Pro Guide Josiah Darr
Author and accomplished fishing guide Josiah Darr has been fishing the Multnomah Channel and lower Willamette for well over a decade. Join him for this informative webinar and learn the secrets to unlocking productive strategies for catching spring Chinook in the channel and lower Portland Harbor.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus
South Willamette Valley Ponds. Dorena Reservoir Big Trout. McKenzie River At A Great Level – Hitting The Magic Temperature For Trout Activity.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked in mid-March with 1,000 legal size trout and received 1,250 legal size trout this week.
Detroit Reservoir: As of right now, Detroit Lake surface elevation is currently at 1545 feet and rising. Docks are in.
Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Green Peter Reservoir: The refilling continues. Water level is rising, and at 988 feet right now. Water clarity is not back yet, but it is improving. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek flows are at 562 CFS. Quartzville is at good fishing levels and these west slope streams are looking to be in good shape now.
EE Wilson Pond: EE Wilson Pond was stocked with 1,500 legal size rainbows last week and will be stocked again next week with 1,500 legal size rainbows.
Waverly Lake: Waverly Lake was stocked last week with 1,500 legal size rainbows and will be stocked next week with 1,000 legal size rainbows.
Dorena Reservoir: Dorena Reservoir was stocked with 5,500 trophy rainbows in late March.
North Santiam Trout and Steelhead: The North Santiam will close to trout angling after October 31. The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout late July.
Foster Reservoir: Foster was stocked with 2,000 legal size trout this week. Foster will be stocked again next week with 3,300 legal size trout.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
Climbed over the past day and 3,320 CFS at the time of this writing at Jasper. Level at Oakridge is at 9.5 feet. Fishable in Jasper and below Dexter.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is currently is at 8,360 CFS at Harrisburg. It’s dropped this past week and although a bit high, it’s looking to come into shape for the trout I like to chase. The river level forecast shows the Willamette coming up on the weekend, but then continuing to drop.
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir, near Oakridge, received 2,840 legal size trout last week. Hill Creek Reservoir will be stocked again with 2,840 legal size trout during the week of April 29th.
McKenzie River – Trout: The mainstem McKenzie flow at Vida is 3950 CFS and dropping. Temperatures vary from 44 – 50 degrees F.
Members – find the latest complete report and forecast as well as past reports for Members on the Willamette Valley/Metro start on this page here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Lower Deschutes Hatches. Lake Billy Chinook Is Active. Metolius March Browns. Prineville Reservoir Trout Are Active.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Friday will top out in the high 50s and 60s through much of the high desert. Chances of showers move in later on Friday.
The weather warms into the low to mid-60s for the weekend, but a more active weather system moves in, especially on Saturday when there is the possibility of thunderstorms in the area during the afternoon. It will cool down for the beginning of next week.
The lower Deschutes canyon around Maupin will climb into the 70s for the first couple of days of next week, before coming down to 60 later in the week.
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower D had been high but is on the drop, currently at 6230 CFS at Moody. River clarity is improving in the lower stretch.
March Browns are picking up, even from the time I last fished the Maupin area.
Middle Deschutes River: Middle Deschutes started dropping earlier this week – good news for anglers. It will also improve more over the next week or two. Little black stones are effective at taking some fish now on the Middle D – nymphing with some weights. Fishing and access into the water still is best around Steelhead Falls. That said, some areas upstream are also fishing well.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of now.
Haystack Reservoir: Currently at 93% full. Haystack is fishing very well; some anglers are catching those big trout that ODFW placed in Haystack.
Lake Billy Chinook: Better reports coming from LBC. Fly fishers have had mixed success, ranging from okay at best to good.
Crooked River: Crooked River has been high, but it’s dropped over the past two days into fishable levels. Check the flows and regional levels at: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/destea.html
Since the water has been too high and just becoming fishable, there have not been new reports. Most recently, Jeff Perin put out a very good BWO report from an overcast day with some light rain.
Fall River: Fishing well with BWOs, midges, and caddis. Some anglers are now seeing March Browns.
Metolius River:
The Metolius has been nymphing very well with some occasional hatches – seeing BWOs during the early afternoon as well as some Cnygmulas. March Browns from spots below Bridge 99 up above. Hatchery area should see these soon.
Still some tan caddis in the size 14-16 range. I’ve seen these in the afternoon in the mid-sections of the river Pupa patterns in a tan/amber combination are just the thing.
Wickiup Reservoir: Closed.
Hosmer: Not accessible. North section of Cascade Lakes Highway has officially been closed for the season.
North and South Twin Lakes: Some reports of hungry fish at South Twin – good fishing opportunities.
For fly fishers – leech patterns and chironomids are fishing well right now.
Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake at 16 % full – no reports. The levels came up through the winter.
Prineville Reservoir: The reservoir is at 98 % full as of today. Last reports are good for trout and smallmouth. Most of what I’ve heard is activity on trolling lures.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Lakes for Trout; Rogue River for Steelhead and Chinook
The lower Rogue River Chinook run has slowed this week…. maybe due to lower river flow and high winds🤔. Optimism is high as bank and boat anglers working the various popular spots did manage a few fish this week, but the rain forecast into the weekend has those fishers donning rain gear and wind protection in anticipation of an increased bite. The mid and upper sections are holding good numbers of winter steelhead throughout the river with good success this week. The Umpqua systems are seeing signs of Springers (but the Main and N Umps are closed to Chinook retention this year) with slow steelhead action and striped bass and the Coquille stripers are also starting to show. Beware that many of the steelhead rivers or now closed until reopening for trout season in May. Many more lakes have recently been stocked for the first time or on their 2nd or 3rd stocking with trout. Weather this weekend might put a damper on dry fishing depending on where you go. Ocean goers will have a window of opportunity on Friday to get out for some excellent ling cod and bottom fishing action before wind and rain will make the ocean a no-go blustery event.
Despite some Spring weather this weekend, the whole Rogue River is my best bet for the weekend for steelhead and Springers. Weather in the Rogue valley might have some showers, but the river conditions should prevail good. Fish are scattered throughout the river and the road from Almeda Park on the mid-section is now open down to Grave Creek. Rainey Fall trail is still closed, however.
The ocean should be decent enough to get out Friday but is expected to be blustery for the weekend. Bay and ocean crabbing has been fair. Winchester Bay is starting to see increased red fin perch catches.
Many more lakes have been stocked at least once so far with trout. Bass and panfish catches have picked up when the weather warms up. Spring trout fishing on some of the more coastal lakes can be excellent this time of year. Since most steelhead holding rivers are now closed to fishing till May 22nd, lakes and ponds are a great option for trout and bass fishers.
The North and South forks of the Umpqua River should be fishable this weekend and are winding down for steelhead. Bass fishing on the South is just starting and will get good as the weather gets warmer.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Jeff’s expanded reports, multiple lake updates, and forecasts including his past reports can be found here for Members! There is SO much more.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.