Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – A few spring Chinook and even far fewer summer steelhead continue to ascend Willamette Falls in what will certainly go down as one of the worst returns in history for this fishery. There’s no reason to return to the Willamette until fall coho start to arrive in about 6 weeks from now.
The mainstem Columbia closes to summer steelhead on August 1st, but opens to fall Chinook at the same time. It’ll be several more weeks before catchable numbers of Chinook arrive however, it’s another futile effort for at least another few weeks.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Wild spring Chinook are going over the NF facility in good number. Hatchery springers are scarce and there continues to be some summer steelhead caught in the upper reaches.
Coho will represent the next big return (hopefully), but we’re still about 6 weeks away from the first of the biters to show here.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer so far. The report for this week is still promising for both late springers and summer steelhead.
The current river level is running at 7.88 ft and the river temp is running about 66 degrees. The river was running clear as of this report and showed little change. The weather forecast has it heating back up into mid to upper 80’s over the next week with offshore clouds moving in the mornings. The best time to fish as the clouds give cover and the fish will likely bite at first light.
Get out really and still try your luck. There are fish to be had and don’t be surprised to see fish on the move.
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 – The ocean salmon season continues on although slam dunk fishing has yet to show for most central and north coast ports. Anglers continue to struggle for better than .8 keepers/angler in the south of Cape Falcon fishery.
The majority of these ocean hatchery coho are bound for the Columbia River so anglers should start to see fish congregating in higher numbers as they prepare for their migration to the north. The retention of Chinook remains prohibited south of Cape Falcon
The ocean fishery out of the mouth of the Columbia is the most productive on the coast. Catches in recent days however have remained sporadic with few Chinook in the creel count.
The Nehalem and to a lesser extent, the Siletz does have catchabnle numbers of Chinook available to trollers. Softer tides this week will place effort closer to bay entrances rather than further up the estuary. Fall regulations for most north coast estuaries change on August 1st. Check REGULATION UPDATES HERE.
Interest in halibut is waning, despite ample opportunity. Managers did a good job setting up opportunity for the all-depth fishery, over 90% of the quota remains for the nearshore fishery. All depth closes after July 30th, but the summer season reopens 7 days per week starting August 3rd. Check more details on the halibut fishery HERE.
There are a few pink salmon showing in the ocean catches, check species identification HERE.
Albacore tuna are making their way closer to shore, with a promising forecast for the next several days, you can bet there will be a lot of effort for this species. Anglers have spotted tuna as close as 25 miles offshore.
Bottomfishing remains stable for sea bass, but lingcod are becoming harder to come by.
Ocean crabbing isn’t great, with a lot of softshells in the catch.
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
Willamette River Bass Action. Upper Willamette Forks Trout. Dexter Reservoir Bass. Detroit Lake Trout and Kokanee.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 900 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked with the same next week.
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. There have been some big kokes caught in Detroit over the past week.
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 last week with 2200 legal size trout at the end of June. Quartzville was stocked again last week.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked during the last week in May with 1,000 legal size rainbows. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Reports of good springer fishing continue.
Willamette River – Middle Fork: The Middle Fork flow is currently 2310 CFS – at a good fishing level and dropped since last week.
The Willamette River is at 4,400 CFS at Harrisburg, and has flow/level has dropped since 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. Dexter received in total about 12,000 trophy trout this spring, and remains a good option this week.
McKenzie River: The mainstem McKenzie at a 2,110 CFS flowrate at Vida – continued nice fishing levels all around.
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
Deschutes River Caddis Hatches Keep Anglers Happy. Metolius River Golden Stones Still Around. High Lake Action. Columbia River Walleye Angling Remains Good.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There is a widespread forecasted high in the 90s through much of the high desert into and through the weekend. Higher elevation areas and areas to the west in the Cascades will see highs topping out in the 80s.
The Deschutes Canyon will have temperatures in the high 90s now through the weekend. Perhaps a dip into the high 80s early next week.
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows are currently at 3550 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,140 at Moody. Water is clear.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 55 to 57 F, with the range staying consistent through the week. Continues to look like a blend of bottom water and top water from the dam.
Middle Deschutes River: I don’t have new Middle Deschutes reports, although after the previous hot week, afternoon water temperatures may start to get too warm. I do recommend mornings – and expect PMD, PED, and caddis activity.
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.
Lake Billy Chinook: Smallmouth bass fishing in the Crooked River Arm is picking up – plugs for the bass, with topwaters very early in the morning and later in the evening.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are around 250ish CFS – staying at 256 CFS.
Lots of fish. We have continued good reports last week and this week of very good fishing – lots on nymphs.
Fall River: Fish early or fish late. Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy size trout earlier in June, and was stocked last week of June with the same.
Metolius River: The Met is at normal summer levels – I’ve been finding the wading to be easy. Golden stones are going strong along the upper river. I saw a few downriver, but many more on the upper river down to Gorge area.
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:
Good weather and ocean conditions earlier this week has tuna anglers filling coolers out of Winchester Bay….” the tuna are coming, the tuna are coming”. Also, bottom/ rock fish have been on the bite out of Brookings with some boats targeting halibut getting their share of “butt” action as well.
The ocean forecast is a little iffy with some wind chop, but larger boats and charter should be able to get out. The weather will be nice and cool compared to inland temperatures.
The Rogue Bay has been producing consistently 30-50 fish /day with a couple fish into the 40’s have been caught. There’s lots of pressure, so patience and common sense is vital. 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 and ponds are still fishing decent with the lakes up out of the valley doing better for stocked trout since the temps are a bit cooler.
Bass fishing on the Coquille and S. Umpqua have been good. Pink fin perch are still biting well at Winchester Bay.
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! There is SO much more.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.
Report for July 29 it is Friday Aug 11th ? Frustrating I have been a paid member for years but it’s just worthless when I get 2 week old reports!about to cancel.
Scott – as mentioned in an email to you, you are not currently a member with access to our complete reports. Anyone can become a member by heading to our Oregon membership page.