Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – With spring Chinook on the mind and FREE FISHING WEEKEND almost upon us, anglers are thinking long and hard about weekend plans. Of course, it’s still early, but first blood has been taken and experienced anglers just can’t go without thinking about being a family hero and bringing home a February springer for dinner.
Spring Chinook action is FAR from good, but just to have the chance with good water conditions and a free opportunity is worth exploring.
And speaking of a far-fetched idea, the Columbia is also a bit unlikely to give up any more spring Chinook this weekend, but stronger tides and good water conditions at least make it a possibility along the Columbia’s lower river beaches. Dibblee Beach near Rainier may offer up the best chance and some hatchery winter steelhead will also be running along the beaches.
This Saturday is the last day for keeper sturgeon fishing in the John Day Pool. It’ll close for the foreseeable future after Saturday. A retention season downstream of Bonneville Dam isn’t going to happen in the near future.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River steelhead fishing improved a bit this week. Despite less than ideal conditions, it was just time for the run to jump-start. Catches improved from Dog Creek to the mouth but it wasn’t easy fishing by any means. The river should have catchable numbers of fish however, for both bank and boat anglers.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reported, “Hello All. I hope that you had some time to get out and hit the river. There were fish scattered throughout the entire river. Most of the action was in Oxbow Park area with some fish being caught at cedar creek and the lower Dabney Park area.
There were more bank fishermen over the weekend due to ODFW had their beginning fishing class with the Sandy River Steelheaders. There will be more bankies over the next couple of weeks because they plan to have on the river classes teaching all the various techniques.
The sportsman show started Wednesday and there are some great sales going on at the show if you’re looking for some new gear or tackle. If you check with your local tackle store, they will have some special going on in conjunction with the show in case you can’t make it out to the show. The show runs Wednesday through Sunday. So, if you’re looking for gear now is the time to get it while it’s on sale.
Wishing you all the best of luck and tight lines.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – Overall, a slow week for north coast steelheaders, but last week’s rain event seeded most systems with fresh-run hatchery and wild steelhead. Bank anglers fishing the upper reaches have a good chance at success but still have to employ stealthy strategies in order to find success.
The North Fork Nehalem continues to report slow fishing, but surplus steelhead have been stocked in Lost and Vernonia Lakes in the coast range.
A weather event due next week should improve the action, we are at the start of peak season for steelhead on the north coast and although no one has high expectations for this year’s return, it’s still worth going as there are quality fish available.
There was a brief weather window for bottomfishers last week and catches were good. There may be limited windows this weekend as well, but only experienced anglers should consider.
Bay crabbing is challenging, and will be with the extreme tide series this weekend.
Herring are starting to stage in Yaquina Bay. It won’t be long before jiggers get busy with bait prime for halibut and lingcod.
Don’t overlook winter opportunities on the coast, the north coast stocking schedule can be found HERE.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Detroit Winter Boat Ramp Accessible Now. Southern Willamette Valley Ponds Have Trout.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker Canal was stocked with 71,250 legal size trout last week. . Alton Baker will be stocked again next week – with 1,000 legal size trout.
Detroit Reservoir:
As of right now, Detroit Lake surface elevation is currently at 1459.73 feet. Levels have been increasing. Mongold Boat Ramp should now be accessible.
Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Kokanee reports dwindled except for an angler catching a limit within 3 hours, about a week ago. Otherwise, I’d say koke fishing will be back in the early spring.
Green Peter Reservoir: Water level is rising, and at 932.73 feet right now. Thistle Creek Ramp should be accessible now. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Early January reports some fish around, and modest koke catches.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek flows have been up and down, and now receding at a good pace, currently at 302 CFS. Nice fishing levels and get out there right now.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked with 1500 legal size trout last week and again this week.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Timber Linn was stocked with 800 legal size trout and 40 trophy trout last week. This is a good option winter option right now.
EE Wilson Pond: EE Wilson Pond was stocked with 1,250 legal size rainbows last week, and again with the same this week. EE Wilson will be stocked again at the end of February with 1,000 legal size trout.
Waverly Lake: Waverly Lake was stocked this week with 900 legal size trout.
South Santiam Steelhead: No New Fish Counts.
South Santiam Trout: Closed.
The North Santiam below Detroit, like other Willamette system rivers, is starting to receive good numbers of steelhead, wild steelhead, higher than recent years.
Foster Reservoir: Foster received 6,000 legal trout earlier in the fall.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
Most reports from the Middle Fork indicate fishing has been difficult, having spiked earlier in the week and dropping now.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is currently at 6,230 CFS at Harrisburg – the river had been receding from last week and levels are okay for fishing.
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 and Fall Rivers Will Be Popular On Free Fishing Weekend. Lake Billy Chinook Continues For Kokes Down Deep.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Friday will top out in the mid-to high 40s in places like Sisters and the Metolius River area, and at Fall River through Sunday/Monday. It remains dry until Tuesday, when some wintry mix enters the picture. Other areas will be even more mild in the high-40s, or 50 depending upon location.
A cold snap comes in next week starting mid-week, with some very cold temps until the following weekend.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
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 3720 CFS and dropping slightly at 4190 CFS at Moody.
Trout fishing is now closed in the Warm Springs to Trout Creek area until April 22, but there is activity around Maupin. Fishing has been what some anglers call “decent” in the Maupin area – most of what I have reports on is success using Euronymphing techniques.
Be careful not to wade in visible spawning areas.
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:
As mentioned last week, winter steelhead catches have been challenging with various weather conditions and lack of rain. Well, it’s pretty much a ditto for this week😏. Catches have been fair despite being about prime time season for most areas. The Chetco produced some nice winter chrome last weekend but quickly dissipated with the flow. The Rogue has also seen some action but only fair with the mid section doing the best. The South Umpqua and upper main Umpqua has seen some better action lately. Ocean conditions look promising for the weekend for bottom fishing and crab trips. The crabbing has been good almost everywhere and is looking good for the weekend..crab cakes, oh my😛 It’s gonna be FREE FISHING WEEKEND, so toss out lots of different offerings, cover lots of water/ holes and enjoy being out!😎🎣
The mid Rogue river has maintained flow in the 1400-1500 cfs range and has been providing fair catches of winter steelhead and even still some summer fish. The cold and recent snow hasn’t helped to raise the water temp past 44 degrees. Weekend best bets here are from Chinook Park to Griffin Park pulling plugs and side drifting soft beads. For bank anglers it’s Gold Hill on down to Galice where the further down there has been reports of nice 10 pounders caught!
The upper Rogue remains fishable but still clear and cold. 10 more summer steelhead and only 2 winter steelhead were counted last week. Anglers side drifting worms, soft beads, and pulling plugs in the deeper holes and seams from Dodge park on up through Shady cove and Casey Park could find some fresh fish.
The Chetco is back down to “bony” boatable conditions, but last weekend did produce some nice catches.
There’s good numbers of fish throughout, but the plethora of angler pressure makes for only fair catches. Weekend outlook is decent weather wise, but will be more a bank angler workout until mid next week when some rain might bring up the river into boatable condition again.🤞
The ocean is a possibility this weekend to get some nice bottom fish and close in Ling cod. Maybe book a “double” crab/ bottom fishing trip for a fun and delectable time! Crabbing has been good from Brookings on up to Winchester bay.
The Elk and Sixes rivers are low and clear. Maybe a chance mid week to hit em.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
See this week’s SW Washington fishing report.