Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
There’s a bit of a lull for metro anglers this time of year, with the end of the spring Chinook fishery, and pre-Willamette coho and mainstem Columbia fall Chinook. Most metro anglers are working coastal options and coming home rewarded with a variety of species.
It’s all bass and panfish for most anglers in the neighborhood, and although we don’t report on that fishery very often, we’re sure it’s going well.
Summer steelhead on the mainstem Columbia is now closed, passage numbers at Bonneville are alarming.
The first catchable numbers of fall Chinook are still about 1 week away, but adult counts over Bonneville Dam are encouraging enough to justify some effort. Water temperatures remain warm however, which won’t help with the bite. There are some experienced anglers already reporting good catches downstream of Longview and creel checks in that area are certainly encouraging.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – More warm weather this week, but cooler nightime temperatures spell some relief for cold water fish holding in the metro river systems. If these fish have made it this long, they should be able to go the distance until spawning time.
There will still be a fair number of folks floating the rivers in rafts and innertubes however, which doesn’t really impede early morning anglers. Anglers will still find themselves in the upper reaches of the Clackamas, in hopes of intercepting some stressed out summer steelhead and a very rare spring Chinook. There are still likely to be some late-run springers entering the Clackamas, but the bulk of the run is in the river and ripening rapidly. They won’t make good table fare.
The bulk of the effort continues to be at Dog Creek and the McIver Park area.
Coho won’t start showing in catchable numbers for about another month. By then, river temperatures should start to drop and hopefully fish will be excited to bite although freshwater coho seem to present a strong challenge to sport anglers.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – Henry landed his first spring chinook on the upper Sandy River, with a second fish hooked just minutes later. [photo above] The river was showing ideal color and temperature for this time of year.
Current conditions have the river level at 7.66 feet and water temperature at 63.5 degrees. The upper river is carrying some minor silt but still has great color.
Fishing pressure appears to be easing as more anglers head to Buoy 10. Anglers fishing the mid and lower river are still finding great success and bright fish.
Most of the springers have made it back to the collection trap at Bull Run, and the hatchery has been recycling nearly all the summer steelhead that have returned. Guide Barry Buckland is still catching springers in the lower river from his drift boat.
A reminder that Oxbow Park will close to all access on September 8th until the end of January while new water pipes are installed throughout the park.
The lower river from Dabney Park to Lewis and Clark State Park has been crowded daily with swimmers and tubers. State parks are open from 6 am to about 8:30 pm.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
It’s been a good coho season for south of Falcon trollers, but it’s coming to a close soon. ODF&W reports the end of the season at the end of day on August 18th. You can see the complete press release HERE. Chinook retention is still allowed, which is best from Newport south. This area will reopen September 1 for the any two salmon season, which is fantastic for big wild (and hatchery) coho on the north coast.
The Buoy 10 fishery is off to a hot start, although anglers are coming across a large number of Tule Chinook. The big bucks often cut orange, but the smaller 24/25 inchers are often pale inside. There are some coho showing in the catches, but more will certainly come by late August.
The offshore fishery along the Long Beach Peninsula has been too productive, mangers had to close the fishery effective today (8/13) on a moment’s notice. Ocean coho north of Cape Falcon is slated to close on August 18th, which coincides with the south of Falcon fishery as well. A map of the closed area is posted in the Columbia River section.
Meanwhile, Chinook fishing is picking up on the Nehalem system. Chinook that show this time of year are deemed summer Chinook, with fall fish more prevolent in September. They are both often quality sized fish, and in great condition this time of year.
Strong tides dictate upper bay trolling, with Wheeler and Nehalem producing the better catches on the current tide series.
Other systems are still waiting for their first measurable returns of fall Chinook, but they should start showing on the Nestucca, Siletz, Alsea and Tillamook systems in the coming weeks. Catchable numbers often start around the 1st week of September.
Albacore anglers are getting excited for the weekend forecast. It’s been a good season overall, but it’s about to get a lot better in the weeks ahead. Most folks are still going out about 30 miles to intercept them.
Summer steelhead in the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz are an afterthought. Anglers are largel focused on what lies ahead for salmon in the coming weeks. The days are getting shorter however, which bodes well for picky steelhead in the weeks ahead.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – It’s All About the Tides at Buoy 10 – Mastering ocean tides at Buoy 10 is the key to unlocking massive salmon runs—discover how to leverage big tide exchanges, pick the perfect gear, and time your trip to land trophy Coho and Chinook this season! Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Respect for a fishing buddy that bends, but doesn’t break – In this humorous and personal reflection, outdoor writer Bill Monroe recounts dropping a $500+ rod and reel overboard while salmon fishing in Astoria—and how a custom-built, sentimental rod called “Cool Change” remains his ultimate, irreplaceable fishing companion. Chinook Members can read Bill’s post HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- Salmon Trout Steelheader feature of the week: Join the Salmon Trout Steelheader crew and Northwest guide Big Dave as they head out on the water for an action-packed day of shallow-water fishing for massive North Coast Chinook salmon. Chinook Members can watch the video from here.
All the STS articles are located here.
Not a Chinook Member? Become a Member or Upgrade here.
Members head to the Member’s Landing Page to find everything you have access to.
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Central Oregon
Wildfire smoke, road closures, and warm water are hampering anglers across central and eastern Oregon. Deschutes River steelhead is closed for poor returns and will likely reopen later. Check Tripcheck.com for current road closures and the Oregon Health Authority site for algae bloom conditions before heading out.
Wickiup Reservoir is producing well for brown trout. Three Creek Lake has excellent fishing for recently stocked and holdover trout. Crane Prairie Reservoir is giving up smaller (12-16-in) but abundant rainbow trout plus 15-in kokanee. Paulina Lake has good trout fishing and excellent kokanee averaging 13-14 inches. East Lake continues to produce rainbows in the 16-18-inch range, trophy browns over 24 inches, and 13-15-inch kokanee. The Crooked and Metolius Rivers remain excellent for redband trout and mountain whitefish. Fall River was recently stocked with good nymphing near the hatchery and headwaters.
New permanent docks are now in at Crane Prairie, Paulina, and Cultus Lakes, a Deschutes Trails Coalition project with the U.S. Forest Service, funded by the Bend Sustainability Fund.
Weather is partly cloudy with highs in the upper 80s this weekend and low 80s the rest of the week; air quality alerts have been posted and may continue. Stocking Aug. 17-21 includes Cultus Lake, Fall River, and Shevlin Pond. Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters advises giving the Middle Deschutes, Little Lava Lake, Lava Lake, Crane Prairie, and South Twin a pass until water cools.
Columbia River
The walleye bite remains good, per Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus, though air quality has been an issue at times. Catch is mostly 1-3 lb fish with a few larger, holding 12-30 feet deep over gravel or rocky reefs. Water temp at John Day Dam was 70-71 degrees as of Tuesday, August 11, and has been stable.
Lower Deschutes River
Per the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin, air quality has cleared at times but smoke could return with shifting winds. Trout fishing is good, but steelheading remains closed as warm Columbia water slows migration. Caddis and BWO hatches are coming off mornings until about 9 am and again after 7 pm. Bottom release has just begun at the dam, which should cool the water and may help draw steelhead in.
Metolius River
Per The Fly Fishers Place, temperature isn’t a concern here, and hatches have been good on all sections of the river.
Fall River
Water stays cold, so no fish-stress concerns. Fewer anglers were out this week, possibly due to smoke. Good hatches of PMD, BWO, and caddis (black, olive, tan) were reported.
Deschutes Headwaters
The Upper Deschutes Headwaters section fished well this week, drawing redsides, brookies, and whitefish.
Lake Reports
East Lake continues to produce excellent brown and rainbow trout, though low water is making it tough to launch larger boats. Kokanee are running 13-15 inches, unusual for a lake not known for kokanee. Good caddis hatches (charcoal-winged) had fish up eating emergers.
Paulina Lake remains good for trout and excellent for kokanee, with kokanee averaging 13-14 inches, among the largest in central Oregon this year. Heavy stocking of 9-10-in rainbows can make it hard to sort out bigger fish in June/July, but some real beauties turned up this week.
Southeastern Oregon
Catch-and-release with no bait is now required through October 31 on Upper Klamath Lake and its major tributaries. Willow Valley Reservoir is good for largemouth bass, yellow perch, and large crappie. Fourmile Lake is good for hatchery rainbows. The Wood River below Weed Road is fishing well for brown trout. Crappie fishing is good at Owyhee Reservoir, and perch fishing is good at Dog Lake. Deadhorse and Campbell Lakes are producing good-sized holdover rainbows.
Stocking runs Aug. 17-Sept. 18 at Ana Reservoir, Campbell Lake, Deadhorse Lake, Fourmile Lake, Lake of the Woods, and Miller Lake. Deadhorse Lake was stocked with 3,600 legal trout this past month; the boat ramp and dock are fair but require caution. At Gerber Reservoir, crappie fishing has slowed as fish moved out and suspended, though yellow perch are present and largemouth bass remain rare.
Lakes in the Sky Lakes and Mountain Lakes Wilderness were stocked with rainbow fry in early July and should fish excellently, though mosquitoes are abundant.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
The big news for salmon anglers is the early closure of the summer coho season from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border, shutting down after August 18 due to higher‑than‑expected catch rates. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—strong catches mean strong participation—and it leaves one more full weekend to get out on what’s shaping up to be a smooth, beautiful ocean.
Ocean: One Last Coho Weekend + Excellent Conditions
With calm seas forecasted, anglers have a rare late‑summer window to chase just about everything the ocean offers:
Salmon: Coho closes after the 18th, but Chinook remains open. Halibut: The quota has barely been touched—plenty of opportunity. Tuna: Warm water is sitting 30–50 miles offshore, depending on your port.
Lingcod & Bottom Fish: Consistent action and great weather to reach the reefs. Whatever you choose, conditions look ideal for a productive weekend on the salt.
Rogue Bay: Daily Chinook & Summer Steelhead
If you’d rather stay inside the jetty, the Rogue Bay continues to deliver: Chinook are being caught daily, with fish over 30 pounds showing regularly. A growing number of summer steelhead are mixing in. Winds look manageable, making the bay a strong alternative to the ocean. Just be prepared for crowded water—plenty of boats, plenty of tangles, plenty of fish.
Rogue River: Mixed Conditions Upstream
Mid-Rogue: Low, clear, and warm. Fishing pressure is light, with only a few guides picking off summer steelhead midweek.
Upper Rogue: Hatchery counts show more summer steelhead throughout, and both boaters and fly anglers are finding fair success.
Lakes: Low Water Narrows the List
Several reservoirs are simply too low for boat access, but the most fishable lakes right now are:
Diamond Lake, Howard Prairie, Lemolo Lake, Lost Creek Lake. All four are producing good trout catches, and cooler inland weather should make for comfortable days on the water.