Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Although Willamette River spring Chinook fishing is an option, the warm waters of the Willy are causing excessive moss to foul lower river troller’s gear, keeping many anglers from fishing effectively. The season could last another 10+ days, but there are only short periods of opportunity with the floating vegetation that is hindering success.
Bass and panfish anglers prefer this type of weather both in the Willamette, and nearby lakes that harbor these invasives. Many waterways don’t restrict the take, but check regulations before you make any assumptions.
Shad fishing is all but done for Oregon City anglers, but there remains a few still fishing close to Willamette Falls.
Mainstem Columbia summer steelhead seekers are having a hard go of it, those targeting SW Washington bound steelhead below Longview are still finding a few, but managers and advocates alike are not impressed with early returns of upper Columbia Basin summer-runs. It doesn’t look promising for this late summer returning favorite.
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto (from last week)
Spring Chinook strong in upper Willamette systems, steelhead coming in, too. Early summer trout fishing boosted by heavy stockings. Warm water species biting in local lakes.
Best bets this weekend
- Spring Chinook are now in all the upper Willamette systems and still biting well.
- Summer steelheading is rated as fair in the systems.
- River trout are settling into summer patterns, crowds are thinning.
- Trout lakes fishing very well.
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting in warm water lakes.
- Panfish are beginning to feed hard as they spawn.
- Detroit Reservoir will be stocked again this week about 7,000 trophy trout this week. Anglers are reporting decent kokanee catch.
Willamette Falls fish counts
As of Monday, July 6, 30,979 spring Chinook adults and 680 jacks have crossed over the Willamette Falls. They are reported to be in all the upper Willamette River tributaries. The steelhead count has now climbed to 15,112 adults, about half of which were wild winters.
Trout stocking
Drought conditions are already impacting Oregon waterways. The Trout Stocking Schedule is subject to change. Check the field notes below or contact the local ODFW office for questions about a specific area.
June 15- July 3: Alton Baker Canal, Blue River, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carman Res, Detroit Res, Fall Creek (Willamette River), Green Peter Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River-1 & 2 (Below and above Leaburg Dam), Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek, Santiam River, N Fk-2, Smith River Res.
July 6-17:
Alton Baker Canal, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River 2 above Leaburg Dam, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek, Santiam River N Fk-2, Smith River Reservoir, Willamette River- Coast Fork,
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
North Santiam River
The North Fork Santiam is currently running at 1,460 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The Chinook continue to arrive at a good clip with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. According to Fishing guide Mike Ferris of Fisherman Mike’s Guide service, The Chinook are biting very well. He said that on Monday, June 22nd, John Hercher, a fellow member of the Salem Steelheaders and his fishing buddy, drifted the Upper North Santiam with a guide from Packsaddle Park to Mehama and landed three nice Spring Chinook in the process. John said they hit the river early that day and the best bite was between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. The fish are reportedly taking salmon eggs, and salmon egg and sand shrimp combos.
You can check the gauge at Mehama here.
Detroit Reservoir
The reservoir will receive 6,900 trophy trout this week. Anglers are also reporting a decent kokanee catch. Mongold State Park boat ramps, the main boat ramp at Detroit Lake State Park, as well as Hoover and Kane’s Marina are all available. Guide Ferris took a pair of youngster’s trout fishing at the lake recently. He filed this report:
“On Thursday, June 25th, I experienced a great day of “kid fishing” at Detroit Lake. My passengers, Samson and Jack had a wonderful time “catching” and landed ten nice Hatchery Rainbow Trout courtesy of some recent ODFW plantings.”
South Fork Santiam River
Flows are currently at around 1,100 cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. The summer steelhead run is below average this year, but still worth pursuing. Ther Chinook are now spread through the entire system, with more arriving every day. Fishing guide Matt Halseth of Matt Halseth Guide Service has been fishing the South Fork for a couple weeks, and he reports that it has been good. He said the fish can be found up to Mill City. He has been getting the fish by fishing salmon eggs or hardware. He fishes the eggs mostly below a bobber, but also does some bobber-dogging.
You can check the river gage at Waterloo here.
McKenzie river
According to Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, The Mc Kenzie was good for thier guides this week. Depending on the day, various dry flies like chubbies, and McKenzie Caddis and running nymphs as a trailer have brought action. The guides have been using Walt’s Worms, baby got bead, frenchie, copper john, perdigons, leeches and caddis pupa.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Conditions for anglers on the Clackamas River remain good for those still in pursuit of spring Chinook and summer steelhead on the river. One thing that hasn’t changed, the highest concentration of these hatchery fish remains at Dog Creek, along with all the anglers hoping to take advantage of it.
It’s going as well as could be expected, with a few fish being dragged on shore almost daily. As one might expect, the bite doesn’t last long however, usually by 8:00 a.m., all the damage has been done.
Counts at the NF facility are going swimmingly well, with good numbers of wild and hatchery Chinook and great numbers of summer steelhead being tallied, and recycled, but that doesn’t change the nature of this fishery. You still have to go early, fish hard and hope for success.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger – The Sandy River is running at 7.99 feet and 68.6 degrees, with gin-clear water. Predicted thunderstorms could bring some slight changes to river conditions.
Guide Barry Buckland is advising anglers not to float the Oxbow to Dabney stretch right now. The river is extremely low through that section, and boats or rafts will end up dragging.
Fish are continuing to move through the system, with most springers active at first light or in the evening. They are holding in deeper pools and areas with broken surface water.
The lower river is seeing heavy recreational traffic, with lots of tubers and rafters on the water. The stretch from Dabney to Lewis and Clark is especially crowded with tubers as the day goes on.
The upper river from Dodge Park to Cedar Creek is producing the best results right now.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
A nice batch of weather enabled saltwater anglers good access to salmon, halibut and bottomfish this week. Action was good for most species, with ocean salmon fishing consistently good coast-wide.
Astoria was the most productive port for coho, and Chinook catches out of Newport have been impressive. Most every port is producing good catches of coho, but a forecasted south wind can change all of that overnight.
Halibut catches have been fair for a season that’s been overall fairly challenging.
Albacore tuna are on the horizon, with impressive catches reported from Charleston and Illwaco earlier this week. There will be a long season ahead, well into September, and saltwater anglers are anxious to get it underway.
Ocean crab are largely in a soft-shell state, making them poor tablefare for the foreseeable future.
Razor clam season north of Tillamook Head at Seaside is now closed until the beginning of October. I’ts been a good season.
Spring Chinook fishing it starting to taper, but late July catches are not unprecedented. Upper Tillamook Bay is known to produce the best catches this time of year, and upper tidewater of the Nestucca River can produce good as well.
Summer steelhead are available, but challenging to catch on the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz River systems.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Discover the top Pacific Northwest river hot spots and learn how to master the highly effective “Chandelier Rig” as legendary fishing expert Buzz Ramsey shares his ultimate guide to catching this year’s greatly improved runs. Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Ocean coho par’ deux: Kill the kicker – Discover why “killing the kicker” is the ultimate, action-packed secret to triggering furious ocean coho bites right now. 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: Tony Amato, Jeff Flat and friends head south in search of ocean Chinook out of Gold Beach. You can see the video 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
Summer patterns continue for lakes and rivers. Columbia walleye just keep biting. High elevation lakes, lowland lakes fishing very well.
Best bets for weekend fishing
- Hike-in high country lakes offer fine fishing, less pressure.
- Anglers report excellent trout fishing opportunities at Lava and Little Lava Lakes
- North and South Twin Lakes were recently stocked with trophy rainbow trout.
- Anglers report excellent fishing for recently stocked and holdover trout at Three Creek Lake.
- Anglers report smaller than average (12-16-in) but abundant rainbow trout and 15-in kokanee and good fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir.
- Anglers report good trout fishing and excellent kokanee fishing at Paulina Lake. Kokanee at Paulina Lake is amongst the largest in Central Oregon this year averaging 13-14 inches.
- Positive reports keep rolling in from East Lake with large numbers of rainbow trout in the 16-18-inch range, trophy brown trout over 24-inches, and kokanee 13-15-inches.
- The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
- Fall River was recently stocked, and anglers report good nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
Safe Fish Handling for Catch and Release
As surface waters warm safe fish handling practices become more critical for increasing the chances of survival for catch and release angling. Carry a thermometer, and quit catch and release fishing if the water temp exceeds 68 degrees.
Trout stocking
June 15-July 3:
Cultus Lake B, Deer Lake, Devils Lake, East Lake, Fall River, Metolius Pond, Olallie Lake, Paulina Lake, Shevlin Pond, Three Creeks Lake, Twin Lake N and S,
July 6-17:
East Lake, Hosmer Lake, Paulina Lake, Shevlin Pond, Twin Lake N&S, Walton Lake.
Columbia River
Walleye
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus are still reporting a good walleye bite. It does not seem to be slowing at all. There have been lots of eating size walleye, and a few larger fish in the catch. The schools reportedly continue to hold from 12 to 30 feet over gravel or rocky reefs. The best bite is still coming on the worm harnesses, which is the most effective method for summer walleyes.
Fishing guide Buddy Dupell of Columbia River Fishing Adventures also reports excellent fishing for walleyes, and he expects the bite to continue.
Lower Deschutes River
Hot weather has the trout locked into summer patterns, according to Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin. Hazel reports some caddis hatches, with some pale morning duns’ and some Blue Wing Olive are also hatching at times, mostly in the morning and evening. Anglers are mostly fishing deeper with nymphs, and streamers are getting some action, too.
Gear anglers are getting the trout to take small spinners and spoons. Small marabou jigs can also draw strikes. Remember, soft plastic jigs are not allowed.
Fall River
FFP guide Troy is seeing some really strong afternoon hatches and consistent dry fly fishing on little stuff like PMD’s and BWO’s, and small tan or black caddis. Look for midges, yellow sally’s and little olive stone and always trust an ant, beetle, hopper and hippie stomper on a summer day on the Fall.
Northeastern Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing:
- Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake.
- Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught.
- Try Willow Creek Reservoir for trout, bass, and crappie.
- Smallmouth bass fishing on the John Day is currently very good
- Penland Lake is producing limits of rainbow trout
Trout stocking
June 15- July 3:
Honeymoon Pond, Kinney Lake, Marr Pond, McGraw Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond, Teepee Pond, Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Wildlife Pond (Weavers Pond.)
July 6- 17:
Kinney Lake, McGraw Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond, Wallowa Lake,
Grande Ronde River
Fishing for trout may be good throughout the summer while the water remains cool. Multiple hatches come off including stoneflies and caddis. The next couple weeks may be really good as the golden stoneflies hatch. Fishing dry flies with a nymph drifting below them can be very effective this time of year. Spinners can work well for trout, too. As flows drop and the weather warms, bass fishing can be good in the Grande Ronde downstream to the Washington state line.
Wallowa Lake
Wallowa Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout that readily take lures, flies, and dough baits. Fishing for trout will be best near shore especially on the South end of the lake near the inlet of the Wallowa River. Anglers are still catching some really nice kokanee. Most kokanee are now at depths > 45 feet. Both trolling and jigging can be effective ways of catching kokanee during this time of year. Using a fish finder and a downrigger can help anglers find the depths where kokanee are holding and present lures to them.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
It’s definitely summertime across Southern Oregon. Inland temps are pushing into the mid‑90s, while the coastal ports stay cooler with that steady offshore breeze. Despite the heat, fishing opportunities are wide open — and some of the best action continues to come from the ocean.
Ocean & Coastal Action The best fishing this week has been on the ocean, hands down. Brookings and Winchester Bay anglers are seeing strong catches of Chinook and a few coho, most of them within 2 miles of shore. Combo trips have been producing excellent crab numbers. Rockfish and lingcod remain reliable targets. If the wind cooperates, boats may reach the halibut grounds, where there’s still plenty of quota left.
Down in Gold Beach, the Rogue Bay fall Chinook season is still early. Only about a dozen fish per day are being caught, but it’s a cooler option than heading upriver — especially when inland temps spike.
Rogue River – Mixed Bag & Fire Concerns Mid‑Rogue: A few summer steelhead are around, but catches have been slow. Pressure is light, aside from rafters tossing spinners (including you) hoping for something other than a squawfish.
Upper Rogue: The East Evans Creek wildfire is pushing toward Shady Cove, and depending on wind direction, smoke can be unbearable. There are still some spring Chinook above Shady Cove, but at this point it’s best to call it a wrap and let firefighters use the river as needed.
Inland Lakes – Fish Them Before They Drop Lake levels are falling fast, but the trout fishing remains good to excellent at: Fish Lake Howard Prairie Hyatt Galesville Applegate Hit these soon — as levels drop, fish quality will decline. More stable lakes like Diamond and Lemolo continue to produce solid trout fishing. Bass & Stripers If you’re chasing warmwater species, you’ve got options: Lake Selmac for largemouth Main & South Umpqua for smallmouth.
Coquille River for smallmouth and big stripers Bottom Line Hot inland weather, cooler coasts, and plenty of opportunity. The ocean is the star right now, lakes are still producing, and rivers offer limited but possible windows — with wildfire conditions worth monitoring closely.