Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – Metro anglers didn’t have much of a chance at district Columbia River spring Chinook as most were caught downstream of Longview, but the Willamette is about to get good, as we enter peak season just as water conditions are likely to cooperate.
Bonneville counts continue to be light, but observers continue to point to cold water conditions and consistently late returns for smelt and steelhead this year. Hopefully the run comes to fruition as much hinges on the success of this year’s return.
Willamette River trollers have been sidelined as well, with high, muddy flows stifling effort in recent days. Although weekend anglers may be out of luck, those able to fish next week should see good catch rates if the run does in fact, materialize.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s still transition time for Clackamas River anglers, with a mix of summer and winter steelhead available and a rare spring Chinook likely in the system. Most of the steelhead currently in the Clackamas are spent or near spawning, with the bulk of them wild, requiring release. This river should fish as early as Friday for those needing to just get out.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reported, “I mentioned in last week’s post that the boat ramp at Oxbow was going to be closed due to construction. I made contact with the person in charge Will Cortez, and he sent me the following info to pass on.
The boat launch at Oxbow Regional Park is getting an upgrade.
The project will create two accessible parking spaces at the bottom of the boat launch. A short walking path from the parking area will lead to a bench to enjoy views of the Sandy River.
Construction is scheduled April 9 through May 6. The launch will remain open, but due to the construction, expect delays and use caution while recreating near the beach. Please plan your trips accordingly when visiting the park during this time. So just to keep you informed and up to date and not to mislead you.
The fishing has slowed down with most of the fish being caught have been natives with a few hatchery fish in the mix. Cedar Creek is still producing some fish. There has been a mix of dark fish mostly, but there has been a few nickel bright fish in the mix as well.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
Several lakes in the district are slated for stocking. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.
North Coast Fishing Report – North Coast rivers are just now in prime shape for late-season steelheading. Reports have been sparse due to the high water and inclement weather conditions but a late season shot of steelhead should be available for anglers this weekend. It may in fact, be one of the best bets in the NW corner of the state this weekend.
The Wilson and Nestucca will remain late-season targets but anglers already know it’s been a sub-par season. None-the-less, late returning hatchery winter steelhead and a rare summer run should be available here, as well as the Siletz for the near future.
It’s still early for spring Chinook and ocean salmon season is closed right now. Bottomfishers have been anxious to get offshore and the weather today (Thursday) and Friday look real promising for angry lingcod and hungry sea bass. Keeper crab aren’t coming easy but there’s certainly opportunity for high quality Dungeness if you lay the groundwork, as in plenty of crab gear with high quality bait.
Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
Don’t overlook spring opportunities on the coast, the north coast stocking schedule can be found HERE and it looks as if there will be robust plants in the Newport and Tillamook districts in the coming two weeks.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked this week with 1,250 legal size rainbows, and scheduled again to receive the 1,250 legal size rainbows during the week of May 1st.
Note thatAlton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
Detroit Reservoir:
Levels have been increasing – currently at 1503 feet – up 25 feet since the last report. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Detroit will be stocked beginning mid-May.
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is now rising, and anglers/boaters are finding Green Peter accessible. Water level is at 985 feet right now. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Green Peter was stocked last week with 6,000 legal size trout, and stocked this week with 2,800 legal trout, and will continue next week with 5,000 trout and during the week of May 1 with the same.
As a caution, there are some reports of thefts from boat ramps including catalytic converters.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, but it was last stocked in July, and ODFW plans to stock again later in the spring. The flow spiked earlier this week by quite a bit, and is receding now at 1150 CFS. I noted on a drive today that the upper South Santiam, also in the same area on the westslope of Tombstone was high, colored up, but showed signs of a rapid drop from earlier this week.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked last week with 1000 legal size rainbows and 40 trophy trout this week, and will be stocked again with 1000 legal size trout next week. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1400 legal size rainbows this week, and scheduled to be stocked again next week with 1400 legal size rainbows.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled to be stocked with 1200 legal size rainbows this week, and scheduled to be stocked with 1500 legal size rainbows next week.
Members – find the latest full report and forecast as well as past reports for Members on the Willamette Valley/Metro start on this page here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There is a short-lived warmup coming for Saturday and Sunday when temperatures will reach the low 60s in parts of the high desert. Higher elevations will top out in the 50s. The Deschutes Canyon will top out in the mid 60s on the weekend.
Temperatures drop into the 50s on the Deschutes, and 40s in higher elevation areas next week.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
There is an ODFW Webinar on Tuesday April 18th at 6 PM, to present on summer steelhead management in the Columbia River Basin.
Beginning Jan. 1, Fall River below the Fall River Falls is closed from Oct. 1 to May 22.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes have been steady up near Madras, with current flows of around 4220 CFS and at 6350 CFS and rising at Moody.
Trout fishing is now closed in the Warm Springs to Trout Creek area until April 22, but there is activity around Maupin.
There are BWO, midge and some March Brown action on top.
Be careful not to wade in visible spawning areas.
Middle Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is still running high now – and probably will for another couple of weeks. March Browns are an occasional hatch now – some days are better than others. Streamers and jigs in the higher water are still highly effective. Try areas below Benham Falls.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of Oct 1 for the season.
Haystack Reservoir: It’s filling up – at 85% right now. Always an early season favorite. I haven’t had any Haystack reports in yet. Although this is typically a great location at this time of year, there was a drawdown last year that may affect the fishing.
Lake Billy Chinook: More and more kokanee reports in recent days. Many kokes in the 9 to 11 inch range. Reports with depths of 30 to 40 feet, and others in the 70 to 90 foot range.
Bulls are being caught, and still taking trolled lures like Rapalas. Bulls of more than 30 inches have been grabbing plugs.
Crooked River: Crooked River reports show some improving fishing. Mainly nymphing right now – perdigons, midges – Jeff Perin at The Flyfishers Place suggest a soft hackle pheasant tail.
All that said, ODFW announced “pulse flows” on the Crooked starting April 17. The message reads ““The USFWS and NOAA have decided to release some water from Bowman Dam next week as a smolt pulse to help steelhead smolts move downstream. We’re trying to let as many constituents know as possible to help minimize inconveniences. The pulse flow will start on April 17 where they will slowly increase the amount of water released throughout the day to ramp up at an appropriate rate. The full 250 cfs pulse will be released all day on the 18th and 19th, and then will slowly be ramped back down to base flow on the 20th. We are uncertain at the moment what base flow will look like at that time since OID has indicated they may start releasing irrigation water on the 17th. Irrigation flows usually average about 200 cfs so the total amount of water could be anywhere from 250 cfs to 450 cfs.”
Fall River: Blue Wing Olives (around size 18), some Little Black Stones (size 18), and Midges (20-24). There are some occasional March Browns happening as well.
Pretty much all of the dry fly activity happens during the afternoons, from noon onwards. When there is more a spring warmup, these hatches will start to linger later and there will be wome evening activity.
Jeff Perin at The Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters has a fun tip – try a Hippie Stomper and chug it; sometimes the trout will race to the top.
Go light on the tippet – at least 6X light if not a diameter smaller.
Stocked earlier November with trophy trout.
Members can always see the latest complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Finally, it looks like weather and river conditions will improve for a good opportunity with a variety of fishing options. We got winter steelhead (and starting spring Chinook) going on the mid to upper Rogue River, Spring Chinook on the lower Rogue, striped bass on the Coquille and main Umpqua, good ocean conditions forecast, and lots of lakes and ponds stocked with trout.
The lower Rogue River is seeing good catches of spring Chinook from Elephant Rock up to Lobster creek. River conditions will continue to improve and should provide good fishing.
The mid to upper Rogue is still producing winter steelhead and “unconfirmed” reports of some spring Chinook. More winters have been counted at the dam and should continue as river conditions get back to an optimal flow and color. Weekend outlook is good to target whatever you feel like… steelhead or Chinook or do both! 😉
Ocean conditions are looking good for getting out and catching close in ling cod and bottom/ rock fish. Crabbing which has been poor lately (rain and snow melt) should also pick up.
The Umpqua River systems have not been in the best of fishing conditions. Steelhead catches seem to be winding down with Springer catches of many an angler’s hopes. The weekend looks promising!
FYI: I’ll be on (a much needed) vacation next week. I’d imagine it will be very much the same with some “confirmed” reports of springers caught on the mid to upper Rogue and in the Umpqua.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!
Read our SW Washington fishing report.