Portland/Metro Fishing Report – Still not much to write home about here. High, turbid water has area systems out of reach, and the Willamette may be downright dangerous with any trees and limbs that are being swept downstream as well.
Anglers will be looking for sturgeon opportunities in the Willamette in the coming months, but this won’t be the week to start the hunt. Willamette Falls fish passage has come to a screaming halt with an increase in river flow but winter steelhead have started ascending the falls, a few wild ones, but mostly wild fish, as to be expected.
The 2024 Columbia and Willamette River spring Chinook predictions are forthcomig, we’re always anxious to guage what our opportunities will be for the coming year.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas remains high and colored, with few returning adults this time of year anyway. Hatchery winter steelhead on the system typically come later in January, but wild fish and a rare hatchery one may show when flows subside.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “What a week of weather we had. NOAA had predicted the river to go up to 14 ft and it went up to 16.3 ft. The river blew out quickly and is slowly dropping. As of this report, the river is running at 12.2 ft and it shows the river getting back into shape sometime early next week with the rain slowing down and the freezing level dropping down below 4000 ft and putting some much needed snow on the mountain. So when the river does come back into shape, it will still be ripping. Anglers have obviously been absent in their pursuit of salmon and steelhead this week.”
There was some trout stocking about 2 weeks ago around Springfield and Corvallis so check the ODF&W web site as many certainly still reside in those stocked systems.
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.
North Coast Fishing Report – A serious flooding event crippled opportunity for north coast anglers this week, but anglers anxiously await for conditions that are conducive to winter steelhead angling.
Those conditions may not be far away, as rivers are already dropping quickly, especially smaller streams that are more likely to have early season steelhead available anyway.
The Highway 30 systems (Gnat and Big Creeks, as well as the Klaskanine River), the Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem and to a lesser degree, Three Rivers in south Tillamook County) will be the first to fish over the weekend. All of these systems should see their first significant return (however you gauge that) this weekend.
An already dismal fall Chinook season is now closed on many north coast streams. Check local listings in the REGULATION UPDATES section to see what remains open and what is now closed.
The ocean has been upside down so no bottomfishing or ocean crabbing has taken place this week. The swell isn’t expected to ease until the middle of next week.
Bay crabbing is likely to take a hit on most coastal estuaries, as the freshwater influx will certainly impact crab numbers in the bay. Netarts Bay is the exception, and the commercial fleet is still several weeks away from dumping gear.
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
High Rivers Preventing Fishing Opportunities. Local Valley Ponds Are A Good Option
Note the general season closed to trout angling on October 31. Lakes are open all year unless noted in the regulations. Waters listed below are open – as always, check the latest regulations.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 700 legal size rainbows last week. Given the swollen rivers, this is a reasonable option.
Note that Alton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
Detroit Reservoir:
Detroit is currently at 1487 – Detroit has been rising over the past week. Mongold is accessible. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500No new fishing reports this past week. Of course, the recent cold front is affecting conditions on Detroit.
Good fishing report on the inlet into Detroit near Hoover Campground with angling from the bank opportunities. Power eggs and flies were taking trout.
Green Peter Reservoir: Low water but rising this week. There are reports in the news of large fish kills in and around Green Peter, with large numbers of floating fish. More on this later as the investigation continues, with some reports of kokes down deep being affected by the rapid emptying of the reservoir.
Fishing kayaks and canoes have access. Whitcombe is closed. Thistle Creek boat ramp has been closed. Water level is at 886 feet Rose since the last report from 780 feet. Level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked two weeks ago with 1,000 legal trout. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,000 legal size rainbows two weeks ago, and will be stocked again in two weeks. For this reason, one of the better mid-Valley options this month.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled was stocked with 850 legal size rainbows during the first week of June. This is the last stocking for the season.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Closed to trout.
Small numbers of steelhead are present in the South Santiam, with 350 at the dam on August 29th. Running at less than last year – at about 1/3rd of last year’s numbers.
South Santiam Trout: Closed season for trout.
North Santiam Coho: Flow came up over the past day – as of the time of this writing, the North Santiam at Mehema is 11,600 CFS. Too high to fish.
Great numbers of Coho in the Willamette system right now, and it’s primetime on the North Santiam for coho. Numbers are great. As of October 24th (last reported date) there are 26,599 adults over Willamette Falls, and 10,657 jacks.
The gate at Green’s Bridge is open – good access for bank fishing.
North Santiam Trout: Closed to trout.
Foster Reservoir: Foster was stocked during late September with 3000 legal size trout.Foster is now dropping, although higher than it was at the last report; currently at 623. feet. The water levels are reported here:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14186600
There are reports of some good crappie fishing on the east side.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
The Middle Fork flow is currently 6,950 CFS – too high. It spiked earlier in the week. Flows higher up at Oakridge are at 5,350 CFS and dropping, but too high currently. Watch for a level around 2,500 CFS and below at Oakridge.
Members – find the latest complete 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
Fall River and Metolius Rivers Fishing Well. Crooked River Action Continues.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Widespread temperatures in the 30s on Friday with clear weather, clouds returning on Saturday with temperatures in the high 30s to mid-40s on Saturday, scattered showers on Sunday with temperatures in the 40s. Precipitation ends next week, clearing comes in for a sunny start on Tuesday with temperatures in the 40s next week.
Lower Deschutes River:
Flows on the lower D are fairly steady upriver at Madras, currently at 4950 CFS. The lower portions at Moody are at 6,510 CFS and dropping – as a sidenote, the White River is 484 CFS and dropping.
Steelhead are scattered throughout the river – that said, I was out on a float for a couple of days last week between Maupin and Macks Canyon. We swung hard for steelies for two days and had one grab on the second day.
Middle Deschutes River: Flows are up. Fishing is quite good – with some anglers catching good numbers of fish. Fishing and access into the water is best around steelhead falls.
Nymphing is always working well – euronymphing with perdigons, and I would also use some caddis pupa patterns and general PMD/mayfly nymphs.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of now.
Haystack Reservoir: ODFW started stocking fish, including some rainbow broodstock to begin rebuilding after the drawdown last year. Leeches – balanced leeches are taking fish.
Lake Billy Chinook:
Metolius Arm is closed.
Fish are getting more active and fly anglers are getting in on the action. Think leeches and streamers thrown to the shore.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are at 115 CFS currently. River did go up in stretches below the reservoir in the Smith Rocks area. BWO hatches are going and will be the main hatch from now through the winter.
Nymphing is the mainstay for catching trout. Zebra midges, micro mayflies in brown or olive, with scuds and perdigons is producing. Also don’t forget to fish small egg flies – whitefish are on the spawn.
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:
Tis the season of river blow outs, blustery weather conditions and in between fish runs. Weekend fishing options are limited until at least mid next week when hopefully 🤞 the blown out rivers recede into fishable conditions where hopes of first of the season winter steelhead can be caught. Best bets are the mid to upper Rogue river for steelhead, possibly the ocean out of Brookings, and maybe some lake fishing (with a covered boat) for some trout. Now is a good time to tie up some winter steelhead rigs and get your “Fishmas” wish list into Santa! The Chetco, Elk, and Sixes could be in prime condition by mid week and offer some early Christmas/ Hanukkah fish.
The mid to upper Rogue river is still providing Summer Steelhead and even a few coho to those braving the latest monsoons. The good news is that a lot of leaves and debris that plagued anglers the past month have washed out and raised the river temp just below 50 degrees. Winter steelhead should be starting to show with the latter weekend a good opportunity as the river stabilizes.
Weekend outlook for the Chetco, Elk and Sixes looks like a waiting game until maybe mid week. The Chetco might have some Winter steelhead in and the Elk and Sixes Chinook run could still be good when they become fishable.
The ocean look to be off limits up North of Brookings for the weekend, but Brookings-Harbor might be doable Saturday for bottom fish and lings.
Lake fishing at Lost Creek and Fish lake whilst in a covered boat are good choices right now.
Marine Forecast:
The ocean is looking better out of Brookings for a chance to get out for some bottom fish and ling cod holiday action. Further North, the latest storm will make for rough seas for the weekend.
FYI: Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery opens Dec. 16 from Cape Foulweather (just south of Depoe Bay) to the California border.
NOAA Weather Forecast for Brookings, Chetco Cove, OR
Friday High : 53ºF
Variable winds 5 kt or less. Scattered showers, mainly before 10am. W swell 8 to 9 ft at 12 seconds. Wind waves 1 to 2 ft.
Saturday High : 53ºF
E wind around 6 kt becoming variable and less than 5 kt. A slight chance of rain after 10am. NNW swell 6 ft becoming WNW. Wind waves around 1 ft.
Sunday High : 55ºF
SSE wind 10 to 12 kt. Rain. W swell 9 to 10 ft. Wind waves around 3 ft.
NOAA Weather Forecast for Charleston, OR
Friday High : 53ºF
Variable winds 5 kt or less. Showers likely, mainly before 10am. WNW swell 9 ft at 12 seconds. Wind waves 2 to 3 ft.
Saturday High : 55ºF
S wind 6 to 12 kt. Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. NNW swell 8 ft becoming WNW. Wind waves around 1 ft.
Sunday High : 57ºF
S wind 17 to 19 kt. Rain. W swell 9 to 10 ft. Wind waves 4 to 6 ft.
Lakes and ponds to fish this week:
FISH LAKE: is about 50% full and is still a good choice for late season trout fishing. Trout are still biting good for the few anglers working it there.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: The lake is holding steady at about 40% full. Fishing pressure has been low to none lately. Winter fishing can be a nice change if the weather is good.
Mid Coast Forecast:
COOS and Coquille RIVER BASIN:
The Coos River and Coquille basin fishery’s are blown out for quite awhile. The Millicoma will be the first and best bet to hit for winter steelhead as it gets its run sooner and will fish before the others, but don’t expect it to be any sooner than late next week.
Rivers and streams to fish this week:
From ODFW:
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation and Harvest Tag required beginning Dec. 1
All winter steelhead anglers in the Rogue Basin and on the south coast will need a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, anglers will need a new harvest tag to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.
CHETCO RIVER: the Chetco rose and rose flushing leaves and debris out and fish that were throughout into spawning grounds. The possibility of a few fresh Chinook and winter steelhead could bend some rods, but not for this weekend….. at least until mid week. By then, plunkers at Social Security bar should give it a try.
Anglers will be able to keep wild steelhead starting Dec. 1, but they must be tagged on the new wild steelhead tag. Only 3 wild steelhead can be retained from Dec. 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Happy Hanukkah 🕎 Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Jeff’s expanded reports, multiple lake updates, and forecasts including his past reports can be found here for Members! There is SO much more.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.