Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report
Despite good weather and water conditions, Willamette River anglers didn’t fare all that well for spring Chinook this week. The Oregon City produced some of the best catches recently, but has since slowed as flows subsided and waters cleared.
Lower and middle river trollers didn’t have an overly productive week either, with very few fish reported in the Multnomah Channel last week. Fish tend to blow through those lower reaches right after a high water event.
Meldrum Bar plunkers are taking mostly wild winter steelhead, requiring release. Summer steelhead numbers over Willamette Falls are off to a good start and the wild run of winter steelhead is quite good when compared to recent years.
Sturgeon fishing in the Willamette remains productive, especially for folks using smelt for bait.
The mainstem Columbia is holding fish, but most of the spring Chinook entering the lower river are Willamette bound, taking the offramp at St. Helens. Upper Columbia springers are starting to show in better numbers and should increase in abundance as we enter early April. Most of the justified effort is taking place downriver.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It hasn’t been all that newsworthy on the Clackamas as of late. The bulk of the hatchery fish are upriver and accounted for in the Dog Creek area, and although there’s still a group of anglers targeting them in this reach, interest is waning on what most would call a sub-par return of hatchery fish. Most are hoping the summer run fares better.
Dog Creek anglers are pitching the usual gear at them, mostly bobbers and bait, targeting fish holding at or near the mouth of Dog Creek, waiting for processing. It remains an early morning show, and it’s over by 9:00 on most days.
There hasn’t been much effort for steelhead on the Clackamas lately. Those living in Clackamas County are more apt to spend their time pursuing spring Chinook on the mainstem Willamette.
Counts at the NF facility are still running good for wild fish, and a few hatchery fish are still being counted there, and recycled back downstream. Almost 1,800 wild adults have bypassed the facility, just 147 hatchery fish have entered. That is several hundred more than the facility saw at this same time last year so at least that’s good news.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares: A local fishing derby hosted by the Sandy River Chapter of the NW Steelheaders is underway to help get more young people outside and involved in fishing. Brayden from Barlow High School is one of 22 participants from East County high schools competing for cash prizes and other donated items.
This week’s weather called for another atmospheric river, but it was not as severe as forecasted. The river rose about 6 inches instead of the expected foot and a half.
The river temperature is currently 49 degrees and is expected to stay around that mark over the next week. The next rain event is expected later next week.
Fishing has been fair to good, depending on who you ask. There are still bright fish coming in daily, and many fish are being caught in the mid and lower sections of the river.
A few summer fish have already been caught, and more summers and springers should begin showing up as well. There are also still some downriver winter fish staging around Cedar Creek.
According to last week’s hatchery report, 64 winter steelhead were collected, bringing the total to 445 fish. The hatchery also recycled 46 fish last Wednesday, bringing the total number of recycled hatchery fish to 302. These recycled fish can be identified by a hole punch in the right gill plate.
Most of the recycled hatchery fish were reported to be in good to great condition. Based on recent activity, the stretch from Oxbow downstream looks like a strong area to target fish.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Steelheaders are still after them along many north coast streams. Rivers maintained a good river height for much of the week, but anglers did best early and were challenged by mid-week.
Although the run is starting to wind down, despite a sub-par return, there will still be good steelheading into April. Effort shift will go to spring Chinook however, on the mainstem Columbia and Willamette systems.
The Wilson and Nestucca will remain fan favorites due to the broodstock programs here, but in dropping flows, the mainstem Nehalem will remain a good bet, and is having a good return of wild steelhead this season.
Bottomfishing may become an option next week and action has been good for sea bass and especially lingcod. There is growing interest in offshore Chinook too, with best catches from Newport south.
There’s a good set of razor clam tides this weekend and the surf should be friendly enough to yield a good dig.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – We Caught Olympic Peninsula Steelhead. A slow start turned into a steelhead frenzy on the OP, with our crew hooking 25 fish in just two and a half days. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Requiem for a Heavyweight talks about the life and times of iconic outdoor reporter Grant McOmie. ALL readers have access to this post this week HERE to honor the accomplishments that this special man brought to our community.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week: Northwest Outdoors Writers Association by Tony Amator. Tony talks shop and a little about the Drano Lake fishery that’s about to fire up! You can find the article 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 OttoColumbia walleye bite good, spawn on the way. Spring rivers continue fishing well for trout. Lake Billy Chinook bull trout good, kokes excellent. Best bets for weekend fishing Columbia River walleye biting well. Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond received its first trout stocking of the year this week. This should provide an excellent spring break angling opportunity. Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Haystack Reservoir, Ochoco Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond, North Twin Lake and South Twin Lakes in January and February. As a reminder, only one fish over 20 inches long can be harvested each day. Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm is fishing well with bull trout up to 31″ being caught. The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities. Anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities on Fall River. Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack and Ochoco Reservoirs, now with surplus brood fish being stocked. Bass Fishing the Lakes of the Willamette Basin near Eugene is great. Trout stocking Stocked the week of March 16-20: Rock Creek Res, Taylor Lake, Bikini Pond, Pine Hollow Res, Shevlin Pond. Scheduled to be stocked the week of March 23-27: Pine Nursery Pond, Prineville Fishing Pond. You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here. Weather Spring-like weather is expected in central Oregon this week, with temps in the lower 70’s and plentiful sunshine. The weather will cool into the 50’s by early next week, with showers expected come mid-week. Columbia River The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that the walleye bite continues to be very good, with the fish still being found from 30 to 90 feet over rocky reefs and gravel bottoms. Bottom walking worm harnesses and deep diving plugs are still the best option. If anglers find the fish in the 30-foot range, jigging could be good. Lower Deschutes River The Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that anglers are doing well, and the trout are rising to hatches of BWO’s and a few caddis in the afternoons, especially when there is some cloud cover. When there is no surface action, anglers are getting the redsides to take nymphs fished deep. With the spring-like weather, there have been more fishers out on the river. Metolius River Anglers are finding consistent nymphing, although a little luck is needed to get in on the numerous hatches that are coming off. They have been really spotty or dispersed at the moment. On the nymph side October Caddis Pupa and smaller Tan Caddis Pupa, Golden Stones, Green Drake Nymphs, Olive, Purple and Brown Perdigons, Two Bit Hooker, Soft Hackle PT and Black Zebra Midges are in the top 10. Crooked River Unlike last spring, the Crooked River is not flowing at high levels, and is fishing very well right now. A Purple Haze has been hot lately, with solid hatches coming off. Right now, that hatch is also not something to count on every single day. So, be ready with other dries (sparkle duns, BDE, parachutes and comparaduns), Soft Hackle and a few more soft hackles, micro leeches, Mayfly nymphs and various perdigons, 2 Bit Hookers and Micro Mayfly in BWO color & size (olive or black #18-20) and the Skinny Nelson. Chickahominy Reservoir is a long drive, but the fishing is off to a banging start. Damsel nymphs and some scuds are moving around, and a balanced leech is working well. Haystack Reservoir is also fishing well, with Balanced Leeches and Balanced Minnows, mostly fished under an indicator, working well. Chrionomids and Callibaetis Nymphs are recommended and don’t be surprised to see the mayfly adults coming out in the afternoons now so add emergers and duns and spinners for the trip to the lake already. Ochoco Reservoir Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Ochoco Reservoir the last week of January and again in mid-February. Eastern Oregon Best bets for weekend fishing Steelhead can be caught throughout the Wallowa and Imnaha Rivers. Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught. Steelhead fishing is good on the Umatilla River. Trout can still be found on Willow Creek Reservoir. Trout stocking Scheduled to be stocked the week of March 16-20: Tatone Pond, Hat Rock Pond, McNary Channel Ponds, |
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
As we officially settle into spring, a lot of angler attention is shifting toward spring Chinook—especially with winter steelhead opportunities dwindling on the coast. Rivers like the Chetco, Elk, and Sixes are simply too low and clear right now to justify much effort, but a last-ditch effort before they close April 1st might be in order. For those still wanting to wet a line, recently stocked coastal lakes such as Empire Lake and Garrison Lake are drawing interest. Spring trout fishing can be a rewarding alternative when steelhead options are limited. Forecasted rain in the middle of next week should help improve the poor river conditions.
Don’t write off the coast entirely, though. Early offshore salmon reports have been surprisingly strong. Chinook in the 20‑pound class have been caught from Brookings all the way up to Winchester Bay. Ocean conditions look decent for the weekend, giving anglers a shot at both salmon and bottom fish. Lingcod are in close this time of year, and perch fishing is another solid option.
The Rogue and Umpqua systems remain my best steelhead bets for the weekend. While conditions aren’t ideal, they still offer the most consistent chances for winter steelhead—and even a springer in the lower stretches of both rivers. The lower Rogue, despite being low and clear, has produced a few more spring Chinook lately, thanks in part to increased angler pressure. Steelhead catches there have been slow. The mid and upper Rogue are also low and clear, but winter steelhead are well distributed and should provide a decent opportunity.
On the Umpqua, anglers on both the mainstem and North Fork have been hooking some quality winter steelhead, and striped bass action is picking up on the lower mainstem. River conditions mirror the Rogue and should improve after next week’s rain.
Many lakes and ponds have now been stocked, and my inland top picks for the weekend are Lost Creek, Lake Selmac, and even Diamond Lake for those looking to take advantage of the nice weather. The coastal lakes mentioned earlier remain strong trout options as well.