Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – The Willamette River fishery is finally underway, producing consistent catches up and down the river system with consistent flows and water clarity for the foreseeable future. Not so ironic, the dogwoods are blooming, an iconic sign that the spring Chinook too, are in full blossom.
From Multnomah Channel to Oregon City, anglers are trolling, backtrolling and hoglining their way to spring Chinook success. Although catches have improved significantly, many are still questioning as to whether a 70,000 adult return is really in our future. The coming weeks will be telling that story, let’s hope it’s a good one.
Counts at Bonneville Dam are improving. Several thousand adults per day are passing the facility but cumulative totals are still about a third of what we had by this time last year AND half of the 10-year average. While alarming, given the really late run timing for smelt, and the fact that water temperatures have been running significantly colder than in previous years, most are optimistic that the fish are just late running this season.
None-the-less, the Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries are off and running, and slated to get much better in the coming weeks.
Here, Buzz Ramsey shows off a fish he caught recently at the mouth of the Wind, and paid subscribers will get to access the finer details of Buzz’s strategy in the full length version of our newsletter this week.
And keep scrolling to the SW Washington report (a repeat this week) to see Buzz’s and Pro guide Chris Turvey’s success on Drano Lake TODAY (5/4).
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Still nothing to write home about for Clackamas River anglers. No doubt, spring Chinook and summer steelhead are entering the river, just not in big numbers. Winter steelhead are spawning now with no bright ones entering. The river is high and looks as if it’ll stay that way through the weekend.
Sandy River Fishing Report – There’s a few spring Chinook in the Sandy and some summer steelhead as well. Anglers will be challenged to find consistent results, but competition is sure light.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
Several lakes in the district are slated for stocking. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.
North Coast Fishing Report – There are a few spring Chinook being caught in Tillamook Bay, VERY FEW, but the run is underway and is slated to get much better in the coming weeks. Stronger tides should produce better catches in the upper bay this weekend, it’s still too early to expect consistent results however.
The Trask is an option for spring Chinook but later will be better. The Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz systems have a rare summer steelhead available.
The ocean looks comfortable to target bottomfish and halibut this weekend and into next week. The halibut bite was far from lights out, but if you found them, they were of quality size, particularly out of Newport.
Anglers can retain a mix of bottomfish species that remain open for retention along with halibut but check the regulations carefully for allowable catches.
Ocean crab are beginning to clutch, compromising catches for both the sport and commercial fleet.
Halibut season is not far off and seasons look very promising. Let’s hope the catches are. Go HERE to read all about it.
Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
Don’t overlook spring opportunities on the coast, the north coast stocking schedule can be found HERE and it looks as if there will be robust plants in the Newport and Tillamook districts in the coming two weeks.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked earlier this month with 1,250 legal size rainbows, and scheduled again to receive the 938 legal size rainbows during the week of May 8th, and stocked again mid-May.
Note that Alton Baker Canal was stocked earlier in January with 700 one pounders.
Detroit Reservoir:
Levels have been increasing – currently at 1551 feet – up 23 feet since last week. Docks are starting to go in. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Fishing is picking up, with reports of kokanee and trout action. Kokes around 40 feet – red or pink seem to be the hot colors.
Detroit will be stocked beginning mid-May.
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is now rising, and anglers/boaters are finding Green Peter accessible. Water level is at 1006.5 feet right now. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Green Peter was stocked earlier in the month with 8,800 legal size trout. Green Peter was stocked earlier, and again this week with 5,000 legal size trout and is scheduled to be stocked again the week of May 15th.
Anglers have been catching trout. Fishing near the mouth of Quartzville Creek was productive.
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 beginning the week of May 8th with 2,200 legal size trout. The flow spiked earlier this week, dipped and climbed again to 1390 CFS. This is high but fishable, and next week should offer good fishing possibilities.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked this week with 2,250 legal size rainbows, and will be stocked again with 1,500 legal size trout next week. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,750 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked again with 1,875 legal size rainbows during the week of May 15th.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled to be stocked with 1,500 legal size rainbows this week, and scheduled to be stocked with 1500 legal size rainbows next week.
South Santiam Steelhead: No New Updates
South Santiam Trout: No New Updates.
North Santiam Trout: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout in August. The North Santiam is scheduled begin stocking during the week of May 22.
The river has been running high, but did recede from the highs of last weekend.
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
Lower Deschutes Blown Out Down Low, Starting To Recede From Warm Springs To Maupin. Crane Prairie Accessible. Walleye and Bass Action In the Columbia Basin Remains Good.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
A cooling trend starts today. We will see highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s through most of Central Oregon. It will be a little cooler in the high country and a little warmer in the Deschutes River canyon areas. There will be mixed precipitation showers on Saturday, and continues in higher mountain locations on Sunday. It starts to dry out, with slightly warming temperatures middle of next week.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
The entire ODFW Steelhead Management Framework presentation is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPjaWczzOD8
Beginning Jan. 1, Fall River below the Fall River Falls is closed from Oct. 1 to May 22.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes started rising late last week, peaking on Monday and has been dropping in steps since then. The flows are still high, currently 4990 CFS at Madras and 9080 CFS at Moody. The Deschutes is especially high and muddier below White River.
Trout fishing is now open in the upper parts of the lower river – Warm Springs, Mecca Flats and Trout Creek areas are now open.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of Oct 1 for the season. Opening during the May trout opener.
Haystack Reservoir: Water is passing through – at 51% right now. ODFW started stocking fish, including some rainbow broodstock to begin rebuilding after the drawdown last year.
Lake Billy Chinook: No reports from the last several days on the affects of the muddied Crooked River inflow, but the Crooked Arm at a minimum could be off color.
Crooked River: Crooked River is high. It’s come down, but still running at 1490 CFS and muddied. Fishing opportunities diminished for the near term. Could bump back up in a week with the next warming trend a week or more away in the long range forecast.
ODFW announced “pulse flows” on the Crooked starting April 17. The message reads ““The USFWS and NOAA have decided to release some water from Bowman Dam next week as a smolt pulse to help steelhead smolts move downstream. We’re trying to let as many constituents know as possible to help minimize inconveniences. The pulse flow will start on April 17 where they will slowly increase the amount of water released throughout the day to ramp up at an appropriate rate. The full 250 cfs pulse will be released all day on the 18th and 19th, and then will slowly be ramped back down to base flow on the 20th. We are uncertain at the moment what base flow will look like at that time since OID has indicated they may start releasing irrigation water on the 17th. Irrigation flows usually average about 200 cfs so the total amount of water could be anywhere from 250 cfs to 450 cfs.”
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:
The Rogue river is still the main talk when it comes to Spring Chinook and winter steelhead. Springer action has been on and off this week but still decent catches of fish from 15 to 30+ pounds in the lower section below Lobster Creek. More Springers have been caught up river but most are screaming up and are closed mouthed until the upper section above Dodge bridge. Winter steelhead in the upper river stretch has been outpacing the middle with good to excellent catches. Ocean conditions end of week (Sunday might be iffy) look good for first of year halibut and lings and bottom fish. The surf perch bite has picked up too. Crabbing is temporarily closed just north of Winchester Bay down to Cape Blanco. Lakes and ponds are getting regularly stocked with trout and the bass are biting better with warmer weather. The main and North Umpqua rivers are seeing more Chinook action although not hot.
The ocean should be a good opportunity for early halibut and close in ling cod and bottom rock fish. Early reports out of Brookings has been a slow bite but good to excellent up towards Charleston and Winchester Bays out in 300+ depth.
Winter steelhead are still being caught in good numbers on the mid to upper Rogue river as flow and color are great and the temperature in the low 50’s. Those targeting Springers are having better, although not great success from Gold hill on up.
Popular lakes such as Lost creek, Selmac, Applegate, Agate, Cooper, and Galesville are in great shape with lots of hold over and stocked trout.
This weekend holds lots of fishing opportunities for whatever your pleasure, so get out and enjoy!😎🎣
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Halibut season opened Monday the 1st. with reports of good to excellent catches out from Charleston and Winchester Bays working halibut holes in the 300′-400′ depth.
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!