Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – The metro area is fairly quiet these days. Summer doldrums have metro rivers warm and unproductive for cold-water species. The Willamette is done until coho start to show next month and the mainstem Columbia has yet to heat up for fall run Chinook, just now entering the lower Columbia where waters are still cool. It’ll be another few weeks before catchable numbers of fall Chinook arrive.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s hot on the Clackamas River, where a few anglers are still in pursuit of summer steelhead in the upper reaches of the river. McIver Park is still producing a few fish for early risers.
Coho won’t show for another month, let’s hope this is one of those years where they bite for dedicated anglers. Between washed out stocks of hatchery fish and low, warm water in September and early October, it remains a challenging fishery.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – This week has been productive for those who were willing to hike in. The river may warm up as we expect some heat over the next few days, hitting the mid to upper 90’s.
The river has been loaded with swimmers, sun bathers and dogs and the current river level is at 7.80 ft and the river temperature is running around 67 degrees. Most of the swimmers are swimming in all the major parks on the Sandy from Dodge to Lewis and Clark.
The river was running clear as of this report and may silt up with the warmer weather forecast. The fish that are being caught have been a mix of both springers and summers and a mix of natives and hatchery fish.
When you do hook a fish, please check to make sure it’s a hatchery fish before you drag It up on the bank and if it’s a native fish, please try to release it in the river.
Check out the lake stocking schedule. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge
North Coast Fishing Report – Well, we don’t often tout the ODF&W recreation report as a top tier resource, but for saltwater opportunities, given the number of creel checkers they have in port, this is great information as to how the fisheries are performing. Let’s start with their stats from last week. For ocean salmon, Astoria again is the leader of the pack, but Depoe Bay and Newport are not that far behind.
Pro guide Rob Gerlitz (503-812-4950) reported good fishing out of Garibaldi today, taking a limit for his people in 280 foot of water going 35 feet on the line counter, with 12 oz of lead to keep the baits down.
Onto the stats, they are telling:
Ocean salmon
The recreational salmon season (hatchery coho only) from Leadbetter Pt., Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon has a bag limit of 2 salmon but no more than 1 Chinook, and all coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip. Total landings for the season (Oregon and Washington combined) through July 30 are 10,985 coho and 1,876 Chinook out of the quotas of 79,800 coho and 11,490 Chinook.
Estimated Oregon angler trips, catches, and released salmon for the week of July 24-30 included:
- Astoria: 1,035 salmon angler trips with 1,044 coho and 216 Chinook for an average catch rate of 1.22 salmon/angler. Anglers also released 851 coho and 257 Chinook.
The recreational salmon season (hatchery coho only) from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California Border for the week of July 24-30, had an estimated 6,705 salmon angler trips with a retained catch of 4,635 hatchery coho for an average catch per angler of 0.69 coho per angler. Anglers also released an additional 8,039 coho and 140 Chinook for the week. A few pink salmon were also landed during the week.
Preliminary estimated salmon angler trips, catches, and released salmon for the week included:
- Garibaldi: 1,392 salmon angler trips with 681 coho for an average catch rate of 0.49 coho/angler. Anglers also released 1,341 coho and 47 Chinook.
- Pacific City: 418 salmon angler trips with 192 coho for an average catch rate of 0.46 coho/angler. Anglers also released 221 coho and 22 Chinook.
- Depoe Bay: 729 salmon angler trips with 774 coho for an average catch rate of 1.06 coho/angler. Anglers also released 1,355 coho and 17 Chinook.
- Newport: 3,156 salmon angler trips with 2,812 coho for an average catch rate of 0.89 coho/angler. Anglers also released 4,393 coho and 38 Chinook.
- Winchester Bay: 793 salmon angler trips with 147 coho for an average catch rate of 0.19 coho/angler. Anglers also released 634 coho and 4 Chinook.
- Charleston: 169 salmon angler trips with 28 coho for an average catch rate of 0.16 coho/angler. Anglers also released 78 coho and 8 Chinook.
- Bandon: There were an estimated 17 salmon angler trips for the week, but no salmon were landed. Anglers also released 11 coho.
- Brookings: 30 salmon angler trips for the week, but no salmon were landed. Anglers also released 6 coho and 4 Chinook.
Albacore are becoming all the rage, and justifiably so. Astoria remains the hot spot, but that’s always subject to change on a near daily basis.
All-depth halibut fishing is re-open under the summer quota program.. There should be ample opportunity in the coming weeks. The nearshore fishery has not been popular or productive, but that could change as the summer wears on.
TGF wants you to STAY SAFE OUT THERE! Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Dexter Reservoir Bass (And Trout Too). Willamette River Slough Bass. Detroit Reservoir Kokes. Upper McKenzie Trout.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 900 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked with the same next week.
Note thatAlton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
Detroit Reservoir:
Detroit is currently at 1545. feet. Docks are in. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
There are some nice kokanees being caught in Detroit – from what I hear, they are all over as far as location and depths. Detroit was stocked during the last week of June with 4,000 trophy trout. Reports mainly continue to be the same – some good trout fishing.
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is dropping at about 3.5 to 4 feet per week. Water level is at 965 feet right now. Whitcombe is closed. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Green Peter was stocked end of May with 2,800 legal size trout. Stocking for the season is complete.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked this week with 2200 legal size trout as it was three weeks ago. Stocking is complete for the season.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked during the last week in May with 1,000 legal size rainbows.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,000 legal size rainbows during the first week of June.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled was stocked with 850 legal size rainbows during the first week of June.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Reports of good springer fishing continue.
North Santiam Trout: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout last week.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
The Middle Fork flow is currently 2310 CFS – at a good fishing level and same flow as last week. Upper portions of the Middle Fork, including parts of the North Fork of the Middle Fork are effected by the Bedrock Fire. Look carefully at conditions, expect smoke in the area, and heed fire closure signs and stay away from these areas.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is at 4,430 CFS at Harrisburg, and has flow/level and has been steady – same reading as last week. Lower water now, but fishable levels. Anglers have been catching a few steelhead here and there, as some incidental catches. Anglers in the Eugene area are also getting some walleye below the dams in the Willamette system. Steelhead numbers are down from last year.
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter received 3,000 trophy trout during May. Stocking is complete for the spring.
Gold Lake: Reports of good fishing with leech patterns.
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir, near Oakridge, received 3000 trophy size trout in April and was stocked in June with 2,840 legal trout.
Leaburg Lake: Leaburg Lake was stocked in April, and then stocked with 1,000 legal size trout this week.
McKenzie River: The mainstem McKenzie at a 2,050 CFS flowrate at Vida – continued nice fishing levels all around and remaining steady.
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
Metolius RIver Hatches. High Elevation Lakes Keeping Cool With Good Trout Fishing- East, Paulina, Three Creek Lakes. Columbia River Walleye – Hot Fishing.
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows are currently at 3580 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,060 at Moody. Water is clear.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 55.5 to 57.5 F, with the range staying consistent through the week. The flow regime continues with a blend of bottom water and top water from the dam. Waters warm in the lowest stretches near Moody to a range of 63 to 69 F.
Middle Deschutes River: Jeff Perin reports some good fishing on the Middle D all the way to Lake Billy Chinook. Steelhead Falls area can be good this time of year. I do recommend mornings. Jeff says there are BWOs and caddis in the evenings.
Upper Deschutes River: Fishing is good. But, be warned, the mosquitoes are feasting on the brave anglers who fish the Upper D. It will likely stay that way through July.
Haystack Reservoir: At 80 % right now, up from last week. ODFW started stocking fish, including some rainbow broodstock to begin rebuilding after the drawdown last year.
Lake Billy Chinook: Smallmouth bass fishing in the Crooked River Arm is picking up.
There have been reports within the last week of kokanee catches in the Metolius Arm. Some of the kokes are in the 12-inch range, and a few bigger one around 15 inches.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are around 250ish CFS – at 254 CFS currently. Lots of fish. We have continued good reports last week and this week of very good fishing.
Fall River: Fish early or fish late. Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy size trout earlier in July. Fall River will be stocked again with 1000 trophy trout next week.
Metolius River: Golden stones are (still!) going strong along the upper river. I saw a few downriver, but many more on the upper river down to Gorge area. Although I’ve been finding some good dry fly activity at times, it’s shorter lived.
Wickiup Reservoir: Wickiup still has rainbows and browns, and is very accessible. Reports of good kokanee fishing continue – good option for kokes. Otherwise, reports are that fishing is slow. Fill level is at 38% full.
Devils Lake: Devils Lake was stocked earlier in July with 1,383 legal size trout. Devils Lake will be stocked again during the week of July 31st. A good alternative to the more popular lakes for a bank angler or one with a float tube.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Rogue Bay Chinook catches remain steady
It’s full on Summer with hints of back to school and Fall Chinook in the air. Anglers are scattered from the mountain lakes to the coast trying for whatever that area has to offer. Starting with the coast, it’s looking to be decent to get out on the ocean at least through Saturday. The ling cod bite has been excellent out of Brookings! The Rogue bay is consistently producing Fall Chinook while the mid and upper sections are getting fair to good success with summer steelhead respectively. The warm water lakes are seeing a good bass bite and the cooler higher mountain lakes (especially Lost Creek) have been popular to beat the heat and catch some stocked trout.
The Rogue bay has had it’s ups and downs lately but is still producing consistently 30-50 fish /day. As for the middle and upper Rogue, river floaters make up the majority of action, but those anglers targeting summer steelhead are having fair to good success on the upper from Dodge Park up to Shady cove.
The lakes such as Applegate, Lost Creek, Galesville, Fish and Willow have been decent and popular for trout. Selmac is giving up some decent bass and bluegill are also on the bite.
The ocean looks to be decent at least through Saturday with wind maybe an issue Sunday depending where you go out of. Ling cod, bottom fish, tuna, perch and halibut are all on the option out there.
Bass fishing on the Coquille and S. Umpqua have been good to excellent. Pink fin perch are still biting well at Winchester Bay.
The North Umpqua is closed to all fishing!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members! There is SO much more.
Read our SW Washington fishing report.