Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – Despite ideal river conditions, the Willamette hasn’t produced the epic catches one would hope for during peak season happening right now.
Between traditional run timing and perfect visibility and just shy of great water temperatures, biters seem a bit reluctant to sacrifice themselves in any great number. That should change in the coming days however, as good weather and water conditions continue to persist, promoting ideal fishing conditions well into next week.
The Columbia remains closed and although fish passage is climbing at Bonneville Dam, we’re a long ways away from any additional sportfishing opportunity for this intensively managed river system. With peak passage still likely a few weeks away, managers remain perplexed if the run is going to show as predicted. Only time will tell, but passage should start to jump in the coming weeks.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – With little effort comes light catches. Clackamas River anglers are far from excited although there is a mix of late-run winter steelhead and a rare summer steelhead along with some spring Chinook.
It’ll be a few more weeks before more quality fish show up, but if you wish to have the river to yourself, the Clackamas is a good place to be, with some catch and release opportunities for late-season winter steelhead and an outside chance for a chrome one, either salmon or steelhead.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reported, “Well last week we had a week where the river went off color on Thursday and then cleared. The river is currently running at 10.95 ft and shows 43 degrees water temperature.
Last Thursday I floated the lower river and was the only boat, and we hooked three and were able to keep a hatchery summer that went about 9 lbs. and was nickel bright. There was light pressure on the river with little to no boats, with only one raft floating from upper river down.”
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 – Steelhead fishing is over for north coast anglers. Most fish remaining are darkening up and on their way out. Anglers anxiously await spring Chinook still many weeks away.
There’s some great weather for bottomfishing and lingcod and sea bass are falling out of all north and central ports. Ocean crabbing for keepers is becoming more challenging, the better catches are far offshore. Bay crabbing is challenging too.
Halibut season is not far off and seasons look very promising. Let’s hope the catches are. Go HERE to read all about it.
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 earlier this month 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 1528.3 feet – up 25 feet since the last report. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Latest reports are that fishing has been slow. Earlier in the month, the kokes are down around 50 feet. Trout are closer to the top and staying near the shorelines.
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 999.6 feet right now. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Green Peter was stocked earlier in the month with 8,800 legal size trout. It was stocked last week with 2,800 legal trout, and will be stocked again 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 beginning the week of May 8th with 2,200 legal size trout. The flow spiked earlier this week by quite a bit, and is receding now at 1960 CFS. It will be a bit high and colored up, but fishable although we may see a spike with the warm weather these next few days.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked last week with 1000 legal size rainbows, this week with 1,500 legal size rainbows, and , and will be stocked again with 2,250 legal size trout next week. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1400 legal size rainbows last week, and scheduled to be stocked again next week with 1,750 legal size rainbows.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled to be stocked with 1,500 legal size rainbows this week, and scheduled to be stocked with 1500 legal size rainbows next week.
North Santiam Trout: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout in August.
Some reports of fly anglers successfully “dapping” for trout came in.
Foster Reservoir: Foster was stocked with 3,300 legal size trout last week, and again with the same this week. Foster will be stocked the week of May 8th with 3,900 legal size trout. Foster is at 616 feet. The water levels are reported here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14186600
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
The Middle Fork is high; flow is currently 8000 CFS.
Nymphing will take the fish – use searching patterns including pheasant tails, BH thorax, prince nymph variations and twists. Also streamers towards the bank.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
High water in the Willamette. The Willamette River spiked on the 25th and is dropping – but still very high earlier at 20,600 CFS at Harrisburg. It’s been blown out, and still running a little too high for optimal fishing.
The river level forecast shows dropping levels.
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter received 3,000 trophy trout this week. Stocking is complete for the spring. Get out there as this is one of the better options this week.
Current water level at Dexter Reservoir can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14149500
Clear Lake: Will become accessible later in the spring.
Gold Lake: Will become accessible in later in the spring.
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
Walleye Action Heating Up On The Columbia. Lower Deschutes All Open Now – Watch Soon For Salmonflies. Most Of The Cascade Lakes Still Ice And Snow Covered
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Warm weather seems to have finally entered the picture. Highs will be in the 80s through much of the high desert on Friday and Saturday, cooling into the 60s for Sunday and Monday. The Deschutes canyon will run a little warmer with temperatures in the upper 80s on Friday and Saturday, 70s on Sunday and 60s on Monday.
Light winds throughout, increasing on Sunday.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
The entire ODFW Steelhead Management Framework presentation is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPjaWczzOD8
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 4130 CFS and at 6760 CFS and rising at Moody. Snowmelt this week will affect the lower portions of the river.
Trout fishing is now open in the upper parts of the lower river – Warm Springs, Mecca Flats and Trout Creek areas are now open.
There are BWO, midge and some March Brown action on top.
We are a couple of weeks away from salmonflies, but the nymphs are active now, crawling towards the edges and salmon fly nymphs are accounting for some redsides.
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.
Crooked River: Crooked River bumped up yesterday, so fishing was off and fishing opportunities diminished.
Hosmer: Hosmer is snow covered – it will be a while. The Cascade Lakes Highway from Bend closes November 15, and is snow covered now.
Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake at 10% full – no reports.
Prineville Reservoir: The reservoir is at 72 % full as of today.
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Open, but snow covered. As of Monday, photos from a friend show ice and snow cover. He reports that there was barely any visible open water – just at the mouth of the Deschutes.
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:
The Rogue River especially the lower below Agness have been seeing some impressive fish caught lately…. some well into the 30+ pound range. Even a couple double hook ups have been reported by guides working from Elephant Rock up to Lobster Creek. The mid Rogue is seeing more Springers caught as the river conditions continue to be good for fish to get up quickly. Winter steelhead catches have been good to excellent mid-way to the upper to the dam. Ocean conditions have been good and will be so again for excellent bottom fishing and jetty angling. The main Umpqua hasn’t yet been a consistent “good” yet but anytime and the North has seen a few springers come by the viewing window at Winchester Dam. Most is not all lakes and ponds have been stocked with trout at least once and are in good condition to take a break from yard work with the kids.
Winter steelhead are in peak season on the mid to upper Rogue River with good to excellent catches reported by many guides and private anglers. It will be a nice weekend to get out and get some. The lower continues to impress with a number of springers caught. Here too will be a good bet for the weekend.
The ocean will be good for the weekend for close in ling cod and bottom rock fish. They’re biting good and a great option of fish tacos for Cinco de Mayo! Halibut season starts next Monday May 1st and should be a good one, so get your gear in order🎣
Popular lakes such as Lost creek, Selmac, Applegate, Agate, Cooper, and Galesville are in great shape with lots of holdover and stocked trout.
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 this week’s SW Washington fishing report.