Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – With metro spring Chinook finally winding down, anglers have their sights set on mainstem Columbia River fall Chinook. Numbers are due to increase in the Portland area, but they haven’t shown up in the estuary in big numbers yet so we’re still about 10 days away.
Summer steelhead numbers are surprising anglers and biologists alike on the mainstem Columbia. There aren’t many anglers fishing for them, but if they do, they’re more likely to catch and release a wild one, than finding a hatchery take-home fish.
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Read last week’s report right here.
Clackamas and Sandy are dropping, and migration is slowing
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River anglers are giving up for all intents and purposes. The spring Chinook run is about over, fish are turning dark and anglers are anxious for a fresh batch of biters, which may not come until coho start showing in about a month from now.
There are still a few hold-out anglers working Dog Creek, but few are coming up with quality spring Chinook or summer steelhead right now. Summer steelhead numbers continue to be depressing, basin-wide.
Counts of wild and hatchery spring Chinook have slowed towards the end of July, August data is not yet available. Migration, and soon to be spawning, is on the minds of these awesome fish, they are nearing the end of their life cycle. Most of us are still hoping (and expecting) another good batch of returning adults, adult returns typically continue to be pretty good into early September, when most of these fish are expected to spawn. We’re about 1/2 way there right now.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Provided by avid angler, Jeff Stoeger – Good day all. At present, the river is running green with a slight glacial tint. The height is 7.75 feet, and water temperature is holding at 65 degrees. While swimmer and rafter activity is moderate due to the weather, expect increased recreational use this weekend as temperatures rise into the mid to high 90s from Saturday through Wednesday. This heat will likely cause the river to shift to a silty green or brown color.
According to Tuesday’s update from the hatchery, spring Chinook (springers) continue to move toward the trap at Bull Run, with about 20 fish arriving daily. Projections suggest the total springer return will exceed 1,000 fish this year.
There is still a strong concentration of summer steelhead holding at Cedar Creek, as low river levels are currently preventing both springers and summers from making their way up Cedar to reach the hatchery. It won’t be long before coho begin to appear in the river.
Get out there, enjoy the river, and tight lines to all!
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Salmon fishing remains good coast-wide, but the best catch rates continue to be out of the Astoria area. For both the north and south of Falcon fisheries, anglers have caught over 65% of the quota as of last Sunday. Chinook retention remains closed south of Falcon, and Chinook catch rates north of Cape Falcon are blistering. It shouldn’t be long before they show in force however.
The Buoy 10 Chinook fishing is fair at best right now, but it won’t be long before good numbers flood the river. The fishery is back to a mark-select fishery, meaning only hatchery Chinook (and coho) may be retained for the next few weeks. Coho are close to the Columbia River mouth, and may start showing at the Buoy 10 line when stronger tides suck them in.
Nehalem Bay Chinook are starting to show in better numbers. Anglers are awaiting peak season in another week or so, effort is low with a highly restrictive season this year, 1 per day, 2 per season. The wild coho season will be more liberal this year however, that’s the good news.
Tillamook Bay spring Chinook is about a wrap this year, but there was another small batch caught at Memaloose last week. Coho will start to show later this month.
Albacore tuna has been headlining some north coast ports, particularly out of Astoria and Garibaldi. Good catches are coming out of Pacific City as well.
Halibut action slowed a bit last week, and will likely remain sporadic for the rest of the season.
Crab remain in the soft shell state, poor quality for eating.
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Summer patterns continue in trout rivers, steelhead showing in lower Deschutes. Lakes good for kokanee and trout. High country lakes are a good option.
NOTE: Several wildfires are burning in central and eastern Oregon. Check the statewide wildfire incident maps: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx
Best bets for weekend fishing
Following recent stockings anglers report good fishing on the Fall River.
Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and trout fishing at East and Paulina lakes.
Anglers report excellent summer bass opportunities at Crane Prairie Reservoir
Anglers report good trout fishing at Hosmer and Little Lava Lakes.
Positive reports continue to roll in for brook trout and recently stocked legal and trophy rainbow trout at Three Creeks Lake.
Anglers report excellent crappie fishing at Ochoco Reservoir.
Trout stocking
Stocked July 14-18:
Hosmer Lake, Walton Lake, Shevlin Pond
Stocking to resume in September.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Small Waters
Jeff of The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reminds anglers that this is prime time to fish smaller streams. “The Headwaters of the Upper Deschutes, the Upper North Fork of the Santiam, Marion Creek, Tumalo Creek, the tiny creek that comes out of Three Creek Lake, Whychus Creek above the irrigation diversion are all good summer spots to fish terrestrials, attractors, dry-droppers with a small perdigon and psycho prince. This is a good time of year to enjoy summer water like these places offer. Get off the beaten path and try a new place. Bring your light rod and accept the fun of a 5 inch Brook Trout. Some other places may offer you the gift of a native redband trout. Yes, it might be 8 inches but that is not the point. The point is you are here by yourself.”
Columbia River
Reports from the friendly folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus indicate that fishing is very slow for all species, and very few anglers are getting out.
Lower Deschutes River
At the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin, Amy Hazel reports that the trout fishing has been pretty good. “They are fishing caddis and grasshoppers, and a lot of nymphing and some streamers,” she said, “Those will be the patterns for the next 6 weeks or so.” For surface action she suggests fishing very early, and at dusk.
She is also hearing reports of steelhead starting to show. “There are a few steelhead around, here and there, but mostly down near the mouth of the river. They are all fishing with spey rods and pretty small flies.”
Gear anglers are also getting fish, mostly on Blue Fox spinners, but also by fishing plugs with side-planers. Remember that the river is closed to all fishing below the Moody Rapids.
You can check the Maupin river gauge here
The Crooked River
The river is open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Anglers report good trout fishing and excellent catches of mountain whitefish now that flows have dropped below 300 cfs following several months of high flow releases for flood control. Water clarity has improved in recent weeks. There are reports that afternoon PMD hatches have been strong. Nymphing has been effective, too.
Crane Prairie
Anglers report fair and inconsistent trout fishing and improved bass fishing at Crane Prairie. Bass anglers report excellent fishing in the northeast end of the reservoir. Catch-and-release anglers are encouraged to check surface water temperatures throughout the day and follow best practices for angling and fish handling in hot water. Balanced leeches, damsels, chironomids, and callibaetis fly patterns are always a good bet for Crane Prairie in July. The reservoir is currently 88 percent full.
Paulina Lake is fishing really well and ought to be a top lake choice over the next few weeks or longer, especially with Beetles and Ants, Hoppers, Chubby’s, Red Tarantula and a morning session of Callibaetis hatches near Little Crater mostly.
Chironomids, Balanced Leeches, Red 2 Bit Hooker, Scuds, Balanced or Jig Minnow under the indicator and leeches and callibaetis nymphs stripped on various sinking lines.
East Lake
Anglers continue to report excellent brown and rainbow trout fishing at East Lake with the summer callibaetis hatch in full swing. Chironomids s, callibaetis, ants, and beetles are important prey item in the trout diet at East Lake. Some reports are coming of larger size kokanee this year compared to the last 3-4 years, with fish in 12-13-inch range.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports
If you weren’t out on the ocean this week, then you weren’t catching fish! It’s been a spectacular week for tuna out of Winchester Bay, halibut out of Brookings, and coho, ling cod, and rock fish galore out of just about every port. Unfortunately (I know, I know), the weekend outlook is gonna be “Hot August Days” for the weekend, and therefore windy conditions keeping the ocean off limits till next week. With that in mind, anglers may want to consider some of the higher lakes like Diamond, Fish, Lake of the Woods, Howard Prairie, and the Rogue above the dam, where you can beat the 100+ degree temps forecasted for the weekend.
Over at the Rogue Bay, Chinook season catches have been steady, although not great yet. A 40-pounder was reported this week, along with some well into the 30s. The ocean will be off limits due to windy conditions, but those boaters steady on the wheel will find cooler temps and the chance for a nice fish here for the weekend. Summer steelhead numbers are gaining, but the best catches have been in the upper Rogue River. There are some in the middle section, but they’re not biting well due to the heat and tons of river floaters! Fishing early before floater traffic is a must for best success on hooking a summer run steelhead.
Lost Creek, Diamond, Hyatt, Howard Prairie, and Fish lakes are still my best bets of good lake fishing. Fish early before it gets too hot. Lost Creek and Diamond have been excellent lately.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.
Good to see accurate up to date fishing reports. You can’t depend on the state for anything accurate or recent
Thanks
I don’t think Chinook is closed south of falcon reopening 8 2 y
Pls verify???
Sea service
Flying Fish
Beak hook tentacle octopus
Angry Starfish
Western Snake head hand and foot
Altered Beast vs Cannibal crew
“Is it ok to eat you” “if I eat you then you cannot go, to Him.”
150lb head to head and 259 carryon jump box
I went fishing and all I got was 🥵