Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – With the Willamette springer bite slowing, anxious anglers are back to drooling over Columbia River spring Chinook counts at Bonneville Dam, in hopes of another opener after the run size update. Biologists may be able to offer up some additional time on the Big C, if the run looks like it’s going to come in as predicted. It’s already tracking ahead of last year, and peak passage day is often around May 10th.
With dropping and clearing flows, along with a slowly warming Willamette, metro anglers are having a harder time finding biters in the river. The lower reach around St. Helens is producing some of the better action, but it’s far from consistent.
It won’t get any better with the upcoming weather forecast and it’s likely warm water loving shad will soon show too.
Sturgeon fishing in the Willamette has slowed and the spring sanctuary from the Milwaukie RRX to Willamette Falls is now closed to protect spawning oversized sturgeon.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Wild steelhead numbers are still going good on the Clackamas River but now that May is here, there’s even more shift from Clackamas River steelhead to Willamette River spring Chinook. The winter run is largely over.
Summer steelhead are just starting, with no real expectations of high success this season, given the way steelhead returns have come to pass this year in Oregon. There’s still some effort for steelhead on the Clackamas, mostly at Dog Creek right now.
The spring creel program begins this month, so we’ll have more detailed information next week, but it’s likely summer steelhead will make up the bulk of the minuscule catches for the next few weeks. In short, there are greener pastures in other fisheries, about any other fishery that is.Sandy River fishing, avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – I floated the river today and was one of 4 boats that were on the river. The river was ideal and was gin clear. The river was running at 8.95ft, and the temp was at 49 degrees when we got off the river.
The river forecast is for the river to continue to run at 8.95ft, and with the warmer weather and snow melting, it will push the river up to 9.5ft for a couple of days.
There are summer steelhead being caught in the upper river, with a few chinook. So head out and hit your favorite spot.
Wishing you all the best and tight lines. Photo of today’s float, Rob Gibbs enjoys a great day of fishing.
Wishing you all the best and tight lines.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – The coast is in shoulder season right now, with winter steelhead done and spring Chinook just starting. There has been springers caught in Tillamook Bay, but peak season is still many weeks away.
Summer steelhead should be sneaking into the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz River systems although peak season is still a month away. Spawned out winter fish are in these systems now.
Halibut season opened up along the central coast on May 1st. Fishing was fair for Newport anglers, consistently the best port on the coast for halibut success. Most halibut seekers go westward about 20 miles for the most consistent success. A variety of baits work for this species.
Bottomfishing is productive too, with lingcod and sea bass falling in most coastal ports.
Bay and ocean crabbing is slow for most, but razor clam digging was great along Clatsop Beaches earlier this week.
Central Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Kokanee Lakes doing very well, spring rivers trout also good. Columbia walleye still good, Deschutes River trout improving
Best Bets
Anglers report excellent spring kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook, Odell Lake, and Wickiup Reservoir. The kokes at Lake Billy Chinook and Odell Lake are averaging 13 inches; while 14-16 inch fish can be found at Wickiup.
Anglers report fair tout fishing at Wickiup and Crane Prairie reservoirs on the Aprill 22 season opener and should improve over the next few weeks as water temperatures rise.
Reports from the spring rivers have been excellent. This is the season for some of the best hatches of the year, including big flies such as the giant stone fly, and the spring Mayfly hatches.
Columbia walleye
The good folks over at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that the walleye fishing continues to be very good. It has been a little too windy at times, but anglers with the larger boats can handle it. However, always be ready to head to the dock if it gets too rough. Anglers preference seems to be the deciding factor of what folks are fishing with. Trolling Bottom walker worm harnesses, jigging blade baits or jigs, or trolling plugs are all taking fish.
Lower Deschutes River
Anglers are doing quite well on the lower Deschutes River, according to Amy hazel at the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop. “Fishing has been good,” she said, “but we are seeing a lot of steelhead smolts.” While many anglers are enjoying the smolt bite, Hazel warns anglers to handle these fish with care.
“It’s dropped down quite a bit, and conditions are improving,” she reported. The gauge at the Moody Rapids has the flow at about 4,500 cfs.
You can Check the Maupin river gauge at the Moody Rapids here
“I Saw a lot of March Browns hatching while I was out fishing yesterday.” said Hazel. She did say that nymphing was still the best bet for right now.
Middle Deschutes
Anglers report good fishing for brown trout upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend and around Tumalo State Park. Nymphing has been the most effective method. The Middle Deschutes is running low and that makes access and wading easier, according to the good folks at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters. March Brown hatches are up and down depending on the day, but the trout want to eat them midafternoon. PMD’s and Pale Evening Duns are also hatching well and you could see either from 10 AM to dusk.
Metolius River
According to Fly and Field Outfitters in Bend, the Metolius is in good shape and producing consistent action. PMDs are beginning to show with more frequency and will become a major player in the coming weeks. Blue-Winged Olives remain the dominant hatch and are best matched with size 18–20 emergers and duns. Green Drake activity is still early, but keeping a few patterns on hand for late afternoon prospecting can be worthwhile. Nymphing has been reliable: Perdigons, caddis pupa, stonefly nymphs, and egg patterns are all turning fish. Bull trout are active, especially in the morning hours.
The upper Metolius remains closed until May 22.
Fall River
The Fall River continues to fish well and the spring hatches are coming off. Surface action has been good most days. PMDs and BWOs are showing in the afternoons, as well as the last appearances of March Browns. Caddis and midges are also in the mix, with small olive-bodied caddis around size 16 showing up. Productive subsurface setups include Perdigons, Zebra Midges, eggs, and 2-Bit Hookers. Small streamers are also pulling strikes, particularly in deeper pools and around structure.
The river was recently stocked with hatchery trout.
The area below the falls doesn’t open until 5/22.
Blitzen River
The Blitzen River is currently flowing between 300 and 500 cfs. Expect flows to change daily depending on the weather this time of year. Fishing has been good lately as some larger redband are making a move to spawning locations in the upper river basin. Fly anglers have been having success using streamer patterns and with higher water streamers will likely be a good bet this spring. Spinners and other artificial lures should also work well when the water is high and off color.
Campbell Reservoir
Campbell Reservoir is nearly full. Water temperatures will be warming for warmwater fish. BLM, ODFW and BOR stocked a total of 431 crappie in April 2024 ranging in size from 8-14 inches. ODFW and BLM plan on stocking more crappie this spring. Please report any catch to ODFW at 541-883-5732.
The reservoir was dry in summer of 2022. All fish perished. ODFW and BLM have stocked many size classes of largemouth bass and a few crappie in 2023. Catch-and-release is encouraged to allow for establishment of fish populations.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
As many winter steelheaders are switching gear to spring Chinook, and lake anglers are taking advantage of recently stocked trout, it’s that time of “transition”. In Oregon, I find myself blessed by the fish Gods that there is some kind of fishing option all year long.
After a nice long spell of decent weather, the weekend forecast isn’t looking so great. 😏Cooler temps 20+ degrees below recent days with rain and windy conditions will be in store for much of this SW Oregon area. Ocean goers should have Friday to get out for some good near-shore ling cod and rock fish action. The Rogue River is still producing some decent Springer catches on the lower, with the upper section seeing more fish being caught. Winter steelhead are still available in the mid and upper sections. The main Umpqua is starting to see the shad run, and along with the lower Coquille, the main Ump is producing some good striper action. As for the lakes, well, it’s that time when most coastal and inland lakes have been stocked with trout and are fishing well. The bass and panfish bite has also picked up, leaving many options for anglers.
Unfortunately, the ocean is looking to be off for the weekend, but Friday is looking good. Blustery weather is expected Saturday into Sunday at least will keep boats off until at least early next week. Halibut season opened May 1st, during which 2 halli’s can be kept. Near-shore big ling cod are biting as well, but all will be on hold until next week unless you’re fortunate to get out Friday 🤞
Spring Chinook catches on the Lower Rogue River have been fair to good prior to increased river flow from the increased dam release starting Monday. The increased flow tends to get the fish from holding lower in the river to feeling the “need to breed” and scream upriver, causing a decrease in the bite. The upper Rogue is still holding some winter steelhead, 19 Springers have been finally counted, causing increased angler pressure for them here. Fly fishing up at the Holy Water has been good for steelhead, with the Mayfly hatch helping out.
The mid-section has also seen some more Chinook caught. Most have been from Gold Hill on down to Hog Creek. However, keep in mind that the current increase in flow won’t keep fish holding very long in one place as they migrate upriver. There is a decent amount of winter steelhead around, of which both boaters and bank anglers have hooked into some in the mid-20+ inchers. Boaters working plugs have caught both salmon and steelhead in one day!
The lakes have been stocked with trout at least once already. The warmer weather has gotten the bass and panfish to bite on a regular basis now. Best bets are Lost Creek, Applegate, Fish, Agate, Selmac, and Galesville lakes. There should be plenty of fish and bank access if you don’t have a boat.
Steelhead on the North Umpqua has been slow to fair. Stripper anglers down at the lower main Ump are catching some nice ones, and reports of shad are coming in as well. The South Fork is closed now.
Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.