Portland Oregon Metro Fishing Report – With the Columbia and Willamette still waiting for returns of spring Chinook, mainstem fishing on both of these rivers is pre-mature. We’re still a month away before Willamette River success becomes a better possibility and 6 weeks away before the Columbia becomes a better possibility. There is a real possibility however, that the season’s first spring Chinook may be caught any day now, as often happens in mid-February when water conditions allow.
Anglers are left with catch and release opportunities for sturgeon, which aren’t great right now, and bank fishing for winter steelhead at Meldrum Bar, which has been relatively good this season. The Willamette remains in good shape for Meldrum Bar anglers, hoping for continued pulses of fish throughout the rest of the season.
Maybe most encouraging, is the stronger than normal return of largely wild steelhead ascending Willamette Falls right now. It’s the best return since 2020, the first year sea lion interception was not an issue at the falls.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River anglers continue to find fair numbers of fish throughout the system. Boat anglers working from Barton to Carver have had hit or miss fishing, but some quality fish are hitting the creel.
Bank anglers continue to pound the mouth of Dog Creek where hatchery fish gather before entering the facility. The mouth of Eagle Creek remains a fair option as well.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – Well, this week has been off and on for catching fish. We saw the river take a jump and is now on the drop.
The one bright spot was that the hatchery has started to recycle fish from the hatchery. Last week they recycled 43 fish and on Wednesday I watched them recycle another 47 fish with more fish in the pen at the hatchery to be processed.
The weather forecast is for more rain over the next week and the freezing level will be on the drop which will produce low level snowfall. The forecast is for the river to run at 10 feet for the next week until the weather warms up and melts the low-level snow.
Very good days of fishing are coming. So, get out and try your luck and tight lines.
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 & Central Coast Fishing Report – After a strong showing of broodstock steelhead last weekend, catches have predictably slowed for most anglers targeting north and central coast systems.
The Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz systems all produced good catches last weekend, and fair catches throughout the week, but most guides are now working for 0 – 2 opportunities per day on these systems.
The Alsea has a few quality broodstock steelhead as well, but isn’t the main focus for most coastal anglers.
There will be pulses of fish that enter throughout the weekend and into next week, but most anglers are already awaiting the next rain freshet, which will continue to bring in catchable numbers of steelhead into early April.
Early season systems such the NF Nehalem, Necanicum and the Highway 30 systems are largely over, at least for quality steelhead. Run back steelhead are still in these systems, and quite willing to bite, but the better option will be wild returning adults for sport anglers willing to practice catch and release.
Ocean weather remains volatile, weather agencies and apps have not been getting it right lately but a window of mediocre swell with low frequency is possible this weekend. Most bottomfishers will likely be waiting it out when seas become more friendly. No doubt however, lingcod fishing would be good.
Bay crabbing is tapering.
Members, see the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
It’s the BIG SUPERBOWL WEEKEND but wait! I mean, wait no longer for anglers as we finally have a great weekend of fishing opportunities from the ocean and bays, to pretty much all steelhead holding rivers. Yes, and as a bonus, the weather should also be fairly decent 😎.
The main steelhead holding rivers such as the Chetco, Coquille, Coos, Elk, Rogue, Sixes and Umpqua are dropping as I write and should be in good, if not prime fishing condition. The ocean is also on the calm down and the bottom fish and big ling cod are waiting for you too. Since the Superbowl isn’t until midafternoon on Sunday, you’ll have plenty of time to get out to wet a line with good chances of catching some winter chrome 😉.
Be aware that many if not all rivers have recently seen season extreme high flows and could pose some river hazards as well as some new holes. Anglers on the mid Rogue have already been scoring fresh fish this week. Don’t expect to be alone, as many anglers have been anxiously waiting for this opportunity for quite some time….be patient and nice 😉😊
The ocean and bays are back on the option table for getting out for bottom fish and crabbages after a long spell of nastiness. Action should be good for bottom/ rock fish as well as ling cod. Bay crabbers should also fare well depending on inflow from rivers.
The whole Rogue River will be very fishable with more numbers of hatchery fish coming in. Drift boaters as well as bank anglers will have a good weekend to seek them out.
The North and South Umpqua should be a great option for the weekend as catches have already picked up this week and should continue through the weekend.
The Chetco is dropping into prime condition for both boaters and bank anglers. Recent low angler pressure should have fresh winter fish on the bite, although it will be busy this weekend.
The Elk and Sixes should also fish well this weekend with the Elk being the best bet to try first.
The Coos and Coquille and Millicoma systems have all improved and weekend conditions look favorable.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
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.