Portland/Metro Fishing Report – They’re finally here!
Find all our fishing reports and forecasts for Members on this page.
Metro anglers are finally cashing in on the big Chinook return to the Columbia River. The Columbia from St. Helens to Bonneville is loaded with fall Chinook and water temperatures are finally lowering enough to get Chinook interested in angler’s gear. It’s been good in recent days, with just a few more days of retention season upon us.
There are hopes of a season extension however, that may take us later into the month if all the stars alighn. More may be revealed next week.
Most trollers are findinig success working 360 flashers and small spinners but Super Baits and SpinFish are also working to take fish into the mid-20 pound class. With good numbers of Chinook still being caught at the river mouth, the run may actually come in as expected this season. Anglers and biologists alike believe the warm summer waters of the upper Columbia stalled migration and the subsequent expectation of a more productive fishery.
Peak passage day at Bonneville Dam has historically not been later than 9/13 so we’ll know more about run size by next week.
The Willamette is starting to see more coho return but anglers that are serious about this fishery target their quarry upstream of Willamette Falls. Upstream anglers can retain either hatchery or wild fish, where the run exceeded 40,000 adults last year, making the possibilities real. Anglers fishing downstream of the falls will hope to intercept a Clackamas River bound coho salmon, still a rare catch in the mainstem Willamette.
Clackamas and Sandy remain low but coho are entering.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s still early for Clackamas River coho, but not that early. There is effort building in the lower river for early returning adults and there’s certainly been a few caught. If the run is going to materialize, we’ll know more as far as abundance in the next 10 days.
Mike Roberson from Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City reports, “Fish are in the Clackamas for the past few days, there’s ben a consistent amount of fish being caught from the lower river all the way up to barton Park. They are nice sized fish too. The Bowling Alley (24-Hour Fitness) hole seems to be the most consistent and your best opportunity to get an early fish. It feels like it’s a bit late this year, but it’s a good start to the fall season.”
Early run coho are already being tallied at the NF facility on the upper Clackamas, the season is officially underway. It is notable however, that there were a lot more coho in the Clackamas at this time last year, versus what we’re seeing this year.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Provided by avid angler, Jeff Stoeger – “Good morning all. Let’s start off with current river updates. The river is running at 62 degrees, and the river level is 7.62ft. The river was running green for the last couple of days, and on Tuesday, we had some thunderstorms that hit Hood and caused the glaciers to melt, turning the upper river chocolate brown, and it was slowly working its way downstream.
The report is that the coho are in the river with 25 back to the hatchery so far. We were expecting a couple of days of rain that fell apart, and the rain that did make it just barely soaked the ground. The next major rain event should put good numbers of coho throughout the entire river system.”
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Offshore coho are falling!
With a calm ocean, saltwater anglers found good action for exceptionally large coho in the south of Falcon fishery, particularly out of Garibaldi, Pacific City, Depoe Bay and Newport. There’s a lot of feeding activity off the Oregon Coast, from diving birds to breaching whales. Aquatic species are doing just fine this summer.
Fall Chinook are starting to nose into north and central coast estuaries, but it’s slow to go. Effort has been low with a friendly ocean for many to take advantage of. That may change this weekend as the swell bumps up but softening tides may still offer some saltwater opportunities for the experienced boater.
No one estuary is outshining another; as a matter of fact, early Chinook returns are not encouraging. It is still early however and if the coho run comes back as predicted, there should be some great fresh and saltwater opportunities for those ready to do battle with this broad backed trophies.
The albacore onslaught continues with good catches coming from most north coast ports. Halibut interest is waning, but ocean crabbing is picking up for a higher quality crab this time of year. Bay crabbing is improving too and should be good this weekend with the weak tide series.
This remains a good time of year to pursue sea-run cutthroat trout too. Nearly every coastal tidewater system and estuary should have quality cutties present. Trolling for trout as if you were in a lake should produce good action. Gear such as a lake troll with a trailing worm should do the trick.
Much more on the site for Chinook and Steelhead Members:
- This week, Buzz Ramsey created a video – Fall Chinook Frenzy. Join Buzz and the Addicted Fishing team for a thrilling on-the-water adventure chasing fall Chinook near Portland—complete with expert tips, glowing bait secrets, and unforgettable catches before the season closes. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
- Last week, Bill Monroe wrote Alive in the hive? A new option for the fleet at B10. Bill provides a battle plan for anglers to maximize their salmon fishing experience at Buoy 10. Chinook Members can read it HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- The Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week: Chiles New Salmon Fishery by Harry Morse. Discover the untamed magic of Chile’s Petrohue River, where monster Chinook salmon over 60 pounds are redefining the global fishing frontier. Chinook Members can view it HERE.
All the STS articles are located here.
Not a Chinook Member? Become a Member or Upgrade here.
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Chinook excellent in the Columbia, especially at Deschutes mouth. Steelhead improving from the mouth to above Maupin. Cooler weather will improve trout bite in east side lakes.
Best bets for weekend fishing, (ODFW)
Steelhead fishing on the lower Deschutes has been good this summer
Following recent stockings anglers report good fishing on the Fall River.
Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and trout fishing at East, Paulina, and Odell lakes. Kokanee are beginning to darken in preparation for spawning, but quality fish can be caught through the end of August and into early September.
August and September are good months for the Metolius. Bull Trout have entered the river to spawn and anglers report aggressive takes on streamers.
Anglers report good trout fishing at Hosmer and Little Lava Lakes.
Devils Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout providing a great opportunity for paddleboard, kayak, or float tube fishing.
Anglers report excellent crappie fishing at Ochoco and Prineville reservoirs.
Trout stocking
Stocked July 14-18: Hosmer Lake, Walton Lake, Shevlin Pond
Stocking in Central zone will resume in September.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Columbia River Gorge
Fishing has been excellent for fall Chinook in the Columbia River, with the best bite, and the most pressure, coming at the mouth of the Deschutes. The friendly folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that lots of anglers are trolling with 360 flashers and hard plastic baits. Very few anglers are out for walleye, and there have been no reports on success.
Lower Deschutes River
At the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin, Amy Hazel reports that while there are a lot of steelhead coming into the river, the warm water has meant spotty action. “They were not on the bite when it was hot,” said Hazel, “Now it’s cooling down and that could be a good trend, we’ll find out soon.” She said most fly anglers are fishing with spey rods and swinging small flies, mostly hare-wing patterns. The fish are spread from the mouth up to Mecca.
Jeff of The Fly Fishers Place in sisters also reports anglers are getting steelhead, and rates the fishing a little better than Hazel. He reports that anglers are getting the best results with floating lines. “Nymphing is good, but for now why not get them on the swing and a floating line? That is varsity level.”
Crooked River
The Crooked River is outstanding fishing right now and you can approach it a lot of ways. Try a swung Soft Hackle, fish the PMD hatch, Euro Nymph a Perdigon and Indicator fish with Micro Mayflies and Split Case Emergers. NZ Wool remains the #1 choice of indicator for this river with a small or micro OROS the next best indicator.
Metolius River
Green Drakes are showing up here and there but the intensity of the September Drakes has not yet revved up all the way. I think this coming week with the weather change is going to add fuel to the rev. This includes the Flav #14 and the bigger Drakes that are usually #10, but can range from #8 to #12 and the fish can be quite selective to the size on some days, and other days they can be agreeable to any size.
Davis Lake
Anglers report good bass fishing near the lava flow and good trout fishing near the Odell Creek channel. Recent sampling by ODFW found an abundance of largemouth bass in the 2-3 lb range, but few fish larger than 3.5 lbs.
Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required. Catch-and-release for trout. No limit on size or number of warmwater fish. Davis Lake anglers may encounter bull trout which must be immediately released unharmed.
Little Lava Lake
The lake was on fire this week with Callibaetis action coming from all stages of the life cycle at different times of the day. The other standout was with my Jiggy Beetle for several customers!
Leeches and Chironomids under an indicator will round out what is important, and Ants will compliment the beetle as another choice when fish will feed at the top but there is not a hatch.
East Lake
The Callibaetis action has been very good. 3 flies that have been better than most are the White Extended Body #16, a Harrop’s Captive Dun and a Grey Comparadun #16. The Nymph that is the best is a Callibaetis Cate, and a Red PT Jig is right up there and Crostons Callibaetis Jig is also money. Spinners are usually prevalent in the AM. Beetles, Ants and Grasshoppers are good along the banks. Chironomid fishing is good from 12 to 18 feet with an indicator, and from 19 to 35 feet on a type 7 with a dangle approach.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports
Rogue Bay Chinook catches have slowed down. Hopefully this is due to the decreased outflow from the dam this week, making for a temporary slowdown 🤞. Some coho and even a few steelhead have been taken up at Lobster Creek. Most Chinook catches are from the jaws on up just past the bridge.
A limit increase to 3 fish in the Coos Bay area have anglers chomping on their rod tips for Saturday’s opening of wild coho retention on the Coos and Coquille rivers.
The ocean should be good again for the most part. Anglers have seen many limits of big ling cod, some nice halibut into the 50-pound range, tuna within 50 miles, and lots of assorted rock fish. Crabbing has also been good out of most ports as well.
The mid-section of the Rogue has seen increased angler pressure for Fall Chinook. Only a few have been taken, but now with cooler weather, it might perk up. Summer steelhead on the mid and upper sections of the Rogue River continue to be slow. A few half pounders are being taken, however. There are fish all throughout the river. Plugs are the best choice and doubles your chance for either.
The main Umpqua is now closed for Chinook. However, there are lots of bass to catch on the main and both forks of the Ump. Whatever you do, wherever you wanna fish, have a great, safe, and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. 🎣😎
Lost Creek, Diamond, Hyatt, Howard Prairie, and Fish lakes are still my best bets for good lake fishing while they still have good water levels. Lost Creek, Howard Prairie, and Diamond have been good lately and are my best bets for lake fishing.