Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – Although lower Willamette River spring Chinook fishing is on its way out, anglers are still rising early to the occasion, and finding biters at first light near Kelley Point Park. It’s pretty much over by 8:00 a.m., but what a great opportunity to catch a quality fish before work!
Get there before it’s over; although anglers will catch fish clear up until August 1st. Springer counts at Willamette Falls have slowed to just a trickle, but temperatures nearing 77 degrees isn’t helping matters.
Bass becomes a more sought after species on the Willamette this time of year, and there are plenty.
Mainstem Columbia anglers still have options for summer steelhead (peaking, but a poor return), sockeye and hatchery jack summer Chinook (both fading fast), but interest is waning. Anglers are anxiously awaiting the fall run, which will start showing in earnest in about 3 weeks from now.
Clackamas and Sandy are dropping, and migration is slowing
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It remains quiet on the Clackamas, with a few early morning anglers still working the Dog Creek Hole at McIver Park for an occasional spring Chinook and an even rarer summer steelhead. It’s simply too hot to motivate biters on most of the Clackamas River.
Summer steelhead counts remain depressed at the passage facility, not to mention in the creels of anglers. They are just having a tough go of it region-wide.
Rafters and tubers are dominating the river, but oftentimes not until after mid-morning. This gives anglers a small window of opportunity, which happens to be the most productive time (if you can call it that), for sport anglers anyway.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Provided by avid angler, Jeff Stoeger – “Good morning all. This week’s report is going to be on the short side. The current river level is 7.68ft and the river temp is around 67.8 degrees.
The river was running just a little silty green and clear at first light until the sun hits Hood and causes some of the glaciers to melt. The weather for cast is for the temps to run in the mid to low 80’s for most of the week. The swimmers and rafters hit the river about 10 am until about 6 pm.
First light bites have been mostly on spinners, bait and beads in deeper holes and riffles that run in 3 to 5 ft depth with broken water surface for cover. Springers are still slowly making their way into the river as well as some summer steelhead.”
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Find Terry’s report from last week right here.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – It’s full speed ahead on most offshore species this weekend. With a friendly weather forecast, and ample opportunity for salmon, halibut, bottomfish and now albacore, anglers will be responding in spades to the offshore opportunity of their choice.
Ocean coho fishing is productive out of nearly every port, although Astoria, Newport and Depoe Bay are producing the best catches. Chinook fishing is closed south of Cape Falcon and Chinook catches remain sparse, but due to improve North of Cape Falcon (Astoria) in the coming weeks.
Halibut fishing tapered a bit, but that fish can be finiky. Bottomfishing is consistent but lingcod catches aren’t great.
Albacore action from Garibaldi to Astoria really lit up last week with plenty of “peanuts” in the galley. Trolling clones is the slam dunk strategy this early in the season.
There was a really good bite in upper Tillamook Bay last week for spring Chinook, likely the last good push of salmon before it starts to taper.
Nehalem Bay is a viable option for summer Chinook, but catches are spotty at best right now. It’s a very constricted Chinook season on the Nehalem and most coastal estuaries this season so pay close attention to regulations on these waterways this year.
Freshwater fishing for summer steelhead and spring Chinook is challenging given the current water conditions on the Trask, Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz River systems.
Razor clam digging is closed north of Tillamook Head and ocean Dungeness are mostly soft-shelled at this point in time.
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Trout rivers still in summer patterns, lakes good for kokanee and trout. High country lakes are a good option right now.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Walleye slow to fair in the Columbia River Gorge
Crooked River flows have decreased and the Bowman Dam tailwater is fishing well. Recent ODFW sampling found good numbers of whitefish and fair numbers of trout in the 10-14 inch range but fewer larger fish.
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 good trout fishing at Hosmer and Little Lava Lakes.
Positive reports continue to roll in for brook trout and recently stocked trophy and legal rainbow trout at Three Creeks Lake.
Trout Stocking:
Stocked the week of July 7-11: Shevlin Pond, Devils Lake, East Lake, Paulina Lake. Stocked the week of July 14-18: Hosmer Lake, Walton Lake, Shevlin Pond
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Before you go:
Several wildfires are burning in central and eastern Oregon. Check the statewide wildfire incident maps: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx
Columbia River Gorge
Reports from the friendly folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus indicate that the salmon fishing is open, but there are no fish around to be caught. Guides and regular anglers are finding walleye fishing to be fair to poor, but the guides and guys that know are getting a few nice walleye, but they are laying deep, deeper than normal. There have been no reports of larger walleye, just the type that are good on the table. Bottom-bouncing worm harnesses have provided the best action, but plugs are still getting a few fish, too.
Lower Deschutes River
Summer patterns are the story for trout in the lower Deschutes River, according to the good folks at the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin. Fishing is decent, and best in the early morning hours, and in the evening. Caddis hatches have been coming off on sunny days, and Mayfly hatches are happening on cloudy days. Nymphing is good, too. Fishing pressure has dropped, but there are a few guys still out there. Please remember to keep a thermometer with you, and check the water temps frequently. If the water tops 67 degrees, fighting trout in those temps can be dangerous for them.
Highs this week and weekend will be in the upper 80’s, with maybe a day or two seeing low 90’s.
You can Check the Maupin river gauge here
Upper Deschutes
The Headwaters area from Little Lava Lake to Crane Prairie is fishing well, mostly with a euro nymphing rod and some Walt’s Worms and olive Perdigons. Ants and Beetles are a great idea fishing in forested areas. Smaller Purple Chubby’s are fish catchers and a great strike indicator to run a Rainbow Warrior Jig off the bend of the hook if the bigger dry fly.
Odell Lake
Following several weeks of slower fishing for kokanee anglers report good angling for nice-sized kokanee averaging 13 inches and Lake Trout. Kokanee appear to be staying deep this year with most success coming around the 100′ depth.
Paulina Lake
Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee fishing with fish averaging 13 inches and good trout fishing with some very nice Rainbow and Brown Trout being caught. Flyfishing with beetle and ant patterns can be productive on warm summer afternoons. 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.
Imnaha river
Fishing for trout and whitefish has been good in the upper Imnaha River this summer. The whitefish aggregate in large schools and can provide a great angling opportunity. Down river, smallmouth bass move into the Imnaha River from the Snake River. Anglers can catch bass on a variety of gear types including spinners, plastic baits, and flies.
Lookingglass Creek
The Chinook salmon season has closed. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout and whitefish. Rainbow trout are taking flies or lures while whitefish can be caught most effectively with submerged flies like bead head nymphs. Bull trout may be encountered, and any bull trout caught must be released.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports
Fall Chinook action has picked up in the Rogue Bay this week, but don’t expect to be fishing alone this weekend, as boater count has increased to over 100 daily. Ocean goers should be able to get out for some excellent ling cod and bottom fish action as well as running into schools of coho, which are increasing in size by the week.
Diamond, Hyatt, Fish, Lost Creek, and Howard Prairie lakes remain the best bets for trout fishing. Bass catches have been good at Selmac and Lost Creek lakes. Stripers and smallmouth bass angling on the lower Coquille and Umpqua had been pretty good.
Summer steelhead on the Rogue River (all sections) has been lackluster. Rogue Bay Chinook season picked up this week with fair action of Chinook catches. Boat traffic has increased, and thus the number of anglers. Summer steelhead are in the river, 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.
The ocean outlook for the weekend is looking great with a variety of good fishing options. Coho catches from Brookings on up to Winchester Bay have been good this week, with many limits. Big ling cod, bottom fish, and halibut have been good earlier this week, too. There’s also plenty of halibut quota left. Tuna talk also this week, but no real info as to how far out they are yet.
Lost Creek, Diamond, Hyatt, Howard Prairie, and Fish lakes are still my best bets for 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.