Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – With the Willamette blown for much of the week, anglers had the week off but will soon return to improved catches. Excitement is growing for the robust return expected this season, catches were already on the climb prior to the Willamette blowing out.
Mainstem Columbia fishing is off to a predictable slow start but catches should ramp up in the coming weeks. There remains just 2 Chinook over Bonneville Dam since the new year, that will change in the coming weeks as water temperatures warm and peak run timing nears.
Plunkers working Meldrum Bar should kick off the weekend with a fair possibility of a spring Chinook and winter steelhead still available. Higher flows promote better fishing at this spot, just downstream from the mouth of the Clackamas River.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Anglers came across larger numbers of steelhead on the Clackamas this week. The river was blown for a few days this week, but just prior and now that the river is back in shape, bodes well for late season steelheaders for both wild and hatchery fish.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reported, “I hope that you have had the chance to get out and fish. The river is running at an ideal level and currently has ideal color. The river went up to 10.6 ft earlier in the week and as of this report the river is 9.6 ft, and the water temperature has climbed to 40.2 degrees. The river is to drop to about 9 ft with the freezing level dropping back down to 2000 ft level. The river never did go off color but only climbed in height only. Fish area being caught in the entire river from cedar creek all the way down to the mouth.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – Anglers fishing the high water on Tuesday came across good steelhead fishing on the Wilson and Kilchis systems. The Wilson continued to fish well into Thursday as a prolonged period of dry weather produced excited steelhead during this peak-season water spike.
Smaller north coast systems such as the Necanicum and Trask River also produced fair to good results this week, the Nestucca was still high and a bit off-color on Thursday, but should fish well over the weekend.
The Siletz has fair numbers of wild fish, with a few late-season broodstock fish available too. The Alsea has few fishing it, but should also have some wild and a rare hatchery fish available as well.
March 15th is the traditional south of Falcon ocean Chinook opener. Not this year as California stocks of fish will impact sport and commercial opportunity along this reach of Oregon’s coast. North of Cape Falcon, Columbia River stocks are faring much better. Ocean opportunity won’t come until late June however, but there should still be some opportunity once the managers model the fishery.
Herring are still plentiful in Yaquina Bay. They make great lingcod and halibut bait and some really enjoy them as table fare as well.
Still no sign of a razor clam opener, too much domoic acid still testing in the clam tissue.
The ocean looks to be laying down this weekend. Bottomfishing and ocean crabbing is definitely on the table, but be wary of the late morning bar crossings. A late afternoon minus tide will certainly be reason to practice extreme caution.
Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
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
McKenzie River March Browns! Stocking Continues On South Willamette Valley Ponds. Dexter Reservoir Trophy Trout
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked last week with 1,000 legal size rainbows, and scheduled again to receive the 1,000 legal size rainbows next week.
Note thatAlton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
Detroit Reservoir:
Levels have been increasing – currently at 1466 feet. Lower ramp is accessible. Check the water levels here.
With the warming trend through Saturday fishing conditions will be good. According to the latest reports, the kokanees are biting early in the day. Fish are 12 inches or so. Depths down to 60 feet.
Detroit will be stocked beginning mid-May.
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is now rising as we are into March, and anglers/boaters are finding Green Peter accessible. Water level is at 944.6 feet right now. Water level can be found here.
As a caution, there are some reports of thefts from boat ramps including catalytic converters.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, but it was last stocked in July, and ODFW plans to stock again later in the spring. The flow spiked earlier, and is receding now at 571 cfs.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked last week with 1250 legal size rainbows, and will be stocked again with 1250 legal size trout next week. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled to be stocked with 1000 legal size rainbows this week, and scheduled to be stocked again next week with 1200 legal size rainbows.
North Santiam Trout: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout in August.
Some reports of fly anglers successfully “dapping” for trout came in.
Foster Reservoir: Scheduled to be stocked with 3,300 legal size trout later this month. Foster Lake was lowered for the winter refilling, and the level rising the past few days. The water levels are reported here.
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
Billy Chinook Heating Up. Metolius River Hatches Increasing.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There is sun and warming temperatures into Saturday, with widespread warming into the low to mid 50s on Friday and Saturday.
Clouds will enter the region on Sunday, with some chances of showers increasing on Sunday with high around 50 in the high desert, and 40s in areas around the Metolius and Fall River. It will cool into the 40s and stay there into next week.
Maupin tops out in the mid 50s on Friday, 60s Saturday, and back into the 50s on Sunday and into next week, with chances for showers on Sunday and Monday.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes have been steady up near Madras, with current flows of around 3700 CFS and at 4290 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. Winter caddis activity is picking up. When there is no BWO and winter caddis activity, euronymphing has been the constant for catching fish.
Be careful not to wade in visible spawning areas.
Suggested Lower Deschutes Dries/Emergers: BWOs, baetis.
Middle Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is running high now, and best bet is to fish streamers and jigs. Try areas below Benham Falls.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of Oct 1 for the season.
Haystack Reservoir: It’s filling up – at 54% right now. Always an early season favorite.
Lake Billy Chinook: With warming temperatures, LBC will become better.
Bulls are being caught, and still taking trolled lures like Rapalas. Bulls up to 26 inches have been grabbing plugs.
Crooked River: Steady flows at 50 CFS
Fishing is improving . Fish are active from 11 – 3, with afternoon midge hatches. Jeff Perin at The Flyfisher’s Place recommends a single midge about 2 to 3 feet from a NZ wool indicator. Blue Wing Olive and midges will be the primary surface action, especially during the warmest time of day during the early afternoons. BWOs as emergers and cripples are especially effective. Sizes 16 to 20, mostly 18s.
Euronymphing with a heavy red/black leech, with a zebra midge dropper accounted for some fish. Fishing with streamers and jig style streamers has been exceptional.
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:
Torrential rain lately have many rivers blown out but a forecasted “drying out” period should get main steelhead rivers back into a promising fishable shape for the weekend. Last weekend before the major rain did get some steelhead hook ups on the Chetco, Rogue and North and South Umpqua. March is usually a great time for winter steelhead and with all the rain we’ve been having, there’s no excuse for them not be increasing in numbers now. The ocean which has been a no go for a few weeks finally got boats back out for some nice ling cod and rock fish action mid week. It looks to continue through the weekend! Many lakes and ponds are starting to get stocked, so even if you’re not a river or ocean angler, there’s still plenty of options to wet a line this weekend.
Ocean conditions have improved mid week and should be good through the weekend. Fish are biting well since there’s been no pressure for a few weeks.
Crabbing in the bays will probably be slow since there’s still a lot of run off. It might also be a good time to hit a jetty for rock fish and/ or perch!
The Chetco was in fishable shape last weekend and those few that put in some time did manage to get a fish or two. It was almost at flood stage Tuesday but is lowering well and should be in good shape for the weekend. Boaters and bank anglers should find some fresh fish.
The lower Rogue was in shape last weekend but not much pressure as catches have been slow and is now recovering from near flood stage and won’t be fishable for this weekend. The mid to upper Rogue fished till Monday when the rain came and blew out the mid section that is still high and colored up. It should fish decent by the weekend. The upper is my best bet on the Rogue since there’s not as many tributaries increasing it’s flow to get blown out for long. It should be nice and fishable from boat or bank with hopefully a nice influx of fresh winter steelhead🤞
The Umpqua river systems got blown out and are lowering into shape for the weekend. With the exception of the lower main river, the north and south should have some new fish.
Routine trout stocking is starting (Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Plat 1 Reservoir, Ben Irving Reservoir, Garrison Lake, Loon Lake, Arizona Pond, Lake Marie) at many lakes and ponds and with all the water we’ve had together with a forecasted nice weekend (Friday/ Saturday at least), it should be some decent Spring time fishing! I’ll probably start reporting them within the next couple weeks when I have consistent updated info.
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!
Find our SW Washington fishing report here.