Portland/Metro Fishing Report – Coho over Willamette Falls is slowing, but those willing to brave the frigid temperatures, should find good catch and release fishing for sturgeon, from Oregon City to the Portland Harbor.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Wild coho continue to stream into the Clackamas in catchable number, all of which must be released. There are very few fresh hatchery coho in the catch and winter steelhead are still many weeks away from making a showing.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – I hope that you were able to get out and fish before the weather took a change and the east winds started to blow. There were some fish caught over the last week with a mix of a few bright and mostly colored up fish. The lower river has a few fish coming in, but you must battle the east winds and when the temperature drops, you will have to fight with your guides freezing up in the early morning hours.
Coho fishing at the mouth of the Klickitat River remains a good option when the east wind doesn’t freeze anglers out.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on the Sandy and the Clackamas from this page here.
North Coast Fishing Report – With low, clear water once again on the north coast, anglers are looking to the big salt chuck to get after our abundant bottomfish stocks of sea bass and lingcod. Catches were good at mid-week, and those that put their pots in the estuary on their way out, found ample numbers of keeper hard shell crab as well.
Steelhead are starting to trickle into some north coast streams, but low, clear water will limit success.
Salmon fishing is effectively over as few fresh fish are coming back this late in the season, especially with the low water conditions we’re currently experiencing.
Bay crabbing will hold up for the near future, more rain isn’t in the forecast until the middle of next week.
As of November 16th, it’s illegal to target chum salmon on the north coast.
Don’t overlook fall trout 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.
Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports:
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker Canal was stocked with 750 legal size trout. As always, a great put and take option for anglers and families in the Eugene area.
Detroit Reservoir: Kokanee reports dwindled, and the reservoir is dropping, although it spiked up last weekend.
At this point, there are more reports of the kokanee turning – losing scales and color in the meat.
Detroit was stocked up through the end of June with trophy trout each week. The deeper, cooler waters of Detroit make this a good trout fishing option, in depths below 20 feet and at times closer to the surface.
Green Peter Reservoir: There are some reports of anglers catching bigger holdover trout.
Fishing near the mouth of Quartzville Creek for trout can be effective. Trout have been stocked in Quartzville Creek.
As a caution, there are some reports of thefts from boat ramps including catalytic converters.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek flows spiked last weekend, and is slowly receding, currently at 389 CFS. A bit high, but very fishable. I saw other local waters (Upper S. Santiam while driving) today that were running clear.
Spinners, spoons, nymph fishing and attractor dries will all work on Quartzville Creek.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked the end of May with 1,000 legal size rainbows. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Junction City Pond was stocked the week of October 31 and will be again next week, during the week of November 14th. This is a good option during the latter half of the fall.
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:
Crooked River Fishing Is Back. Good Options On The Metolius and Fall River.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Current cold nights and cool days are the rule – with below normal temperatures for a little while. There are some snow possibilities later in the day on Friday and into the early hours of Saturday.
Highs will top in the 40s in most locations, with cold nights in the teens and 20s.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
Deschutes River:
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 9,900 wild (unclipped) steelhead through Bonneville was achieved back on July 23. That means the Lower Deschutes will open to steelhead angling August 15 to September 15.
The ODFW metric of a minimum of 23,100 wild steelhead through Bonneville was achieved on August 18th. That means the Lower Deschutes will remain open for the remainder of this year for steelhead angling.
John Day River:
Angling for, and retention of steelhead will be closed in the mainstem John Day above Tumwater Falls (and tributaries above this boundary) from Sept. 15-Dec. 31, 2022 due to low projected returns.
Haystack Reservoir: A temporary rule to lift limits in Haystack Reservoir will be in effect Sept. 16 through Nov. 30 as the pool will be drawn down to facilitate emergency gate maintenance.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes spiked last weekend and promptly receded to nearer normal flows. Water clarity improved in the upper portions of the river above the White River confluence. Water flows near Madras are 4220 CFS. Water flows at Moody are 5000 CFS.
It’s been a nymphing game, and after the peak flows, fishing and catches improved from Trout Creek to down below Maupin. Reports are that October caddis nymphs, blue and green Perdigons – bead size adjusted up or down depending upon water speed and depth, stonefly nymphs and heavy jig style flies are taking fish.
Steelhead are now spread throughout the river and steelhead angling reports have been encouraging, as well as salmon reports down near the mouth. There are steelhead opportunities all the way up the river. Good numbers of steelhead are being caught on floating line swings.
Fall River: Fall River has been fishing well. Stocked earlier in the month with trophy trout.
At this point, BWOs will be the most prevalent. 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.
Metolius River:
I was at and on the Metolius today for a short afternoon session. I am still finding the Metolius quiet, with two other anglers between Allingham and Gorge. I was not at the hatchery.
Despite the sunny weather, there were a few BWOs in the air during the early afternoon, and the usual rising fish just below Allingham. When I first arrived, I watched one other angler fishing dries, and he had some success, catching a smaller fish within a few minutes. I saw other trout rising in the area.
Members can always see the latest complete reports for this section by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Well it’s that time of year again where we’re sorta in between Fall Chinook and Winter steelhead season. Chinook is winding down on the Chetco although due for one more good bite after next week’s forecasted rain. The Elk and Sixes should be prime and best of season then too, so be ready! Steelhead on the Rogue has cooled down with the frigid temperatures this week although hardy anglers targeting coho are seeing some bent rods and tail splashing as the day warms up.
The Elk and Sixes are now low and clear with some nice fish in the deeper holes. Next week’s rain should get things going and should be excellent….. until then get your tackle in order and be ready!
The Chetco while still having good numbers of fish is seeing a large number of those as spawned out. The next rain should provide a good last ditch effort for fresh fish and Winter steelhead to start moving in.
The mid-Rogue river from Gold Hill down to Griffin Park is where the main action has been for remaining summer steelhead and coho. I’ve also heard that up river towards Dodge Park some coho have been caught.
The ocean looks to be great for getting out for bottom fish and closer in ling cod till early next week. Also a good opportunity for some nice bay crabbing!
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members!