Portland/Metro Fishing Report – Metro anglers still working the mainstem Columbia are coming up strong, just not everyday. A robust return continue to yield opportunity for those seeking later returning Chinook and coho, still present in good number. Bonneville remains the most productive reach, but trollers are still finding coho from Portland to Longview on a pretty consistent basis.
Willamette River coho are surpassing all expectations at Willamette Falls, seeding the upper basin with good numbers for anglers to pitch their offerings at. The problem is, these coho are notoriously poor biters in freshwater, no matter how big the return is. That won’t keep anglers from hoping however, as some days are certainly better than others.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s peak October and with large numbers of coho “available,” anglers should still be out in force for this unique metro opportunity. Like what we’ve experienced in many other areas this year, biting fish seem to be hard to find.
The Clackamas is already a bit passed its peak for hatchery fish opportunity. Mike Roberson of Fishermen’s Marine and Outdoor in Oregon City stated that he’s been spending more time on the Sandy lately, there’s simply more hatchery fish opportunity there this year.
The mouth of the Clackamas and the Bowling Alley Hole has dried up, there will continue to be good numbers of wild fish enter, however.
And speaking of wild fish entering, counts at the North Fork facility are going bonkers. Over 11,500 early return coho have already been counted at the facility, with more to come. The spring Chinook continue to show at the facility as well, also an encouraging return.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports, “Fishing has been slow from the guys that I have talked with. There were fish caught but not in the numbers of the last few weeks. Cedar Creek has been the combat zone and reports of lots of snagged fish up there. The most productive areas have been Dodge Park and Oxbow Park with pods of fish. Spinners, twitching jigs, beads and bobber with fresh eggs and casting plugs. The river will produce fish all the way into November with most late fish being natives. With this rain, we will see the fish scoot upstream in a hurry. So if you find fish rolling, stay on them and try various methods to get them to bite, if you can’t get a bitter after 30 minutes, move on.
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 – North coast Chinook reports remain uninspiring. The once crown-jewell of the north coast, Tillamook Bay, is booting out just an occaional Chinook although coho numbers remain strong for those targeting them on the catch and keep days (Wednesdays and Saturdays). We should be in peak season for Chinook, numbers are simply sparse.
Nehalem Bay too is somewhat scarce with returning Chinook, but it’s been that way for the last few years. Coho numbers remain strong, but like Tillamook, are only consumptively available on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The North Fork Nehalem got a small shot of hatchery coho, but the river is already on the drop, making fish skittish. It’s time for many of the hatchery fish to return here, but with a new wild broodstock returning this year, the run should be better distributed well into November. If they fared well like other NW coho returns, it should be good fishing for the next few weeks.
The Nestucca is ho-hum, but one of the better north coast options. It’s peaking right now, but that doesn’t mean blistering catches. It was a decent season overall here however, with more fish likely to return.
The Salmon River fishery is tapering, as it often does this time of year.
The Alsea hasn’t proven productive overall, but it remains an option this weekend if you know all the best spots.
The Siletz is still producing good catches and should be for another few weeks. We’re in peak season here too and catches should reflect that, especially with another rain event coming early next week.
Yaquina Bay is disappointing, although coho numbers are looking better right now.
Estuary crabbing is good, the ocean closes to recreational crabbing starting October 16th.
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
Dexter Reservoir Trout. McKenzie River Trout. Coho In The North Santiam – Great Coho Return. Fish Die-Off At Greenpeter Reservoir.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 750 legal size rainbows this week. Will be stocked with the same next week.
Detroit Reservoir: I have a good kokanee report – fish in 60 feet of water plus, and they were biters. Range from 60 to 70 feet.
Green Peter Reservoir: There are reports in the news of large fish kills in and around Green Peter, with large numbers of floating fish. More on this later as the investigation continues, with some reports of kokes down deep being affected by the rapid emptying of the reservoir.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked earlier this month with 2200 legal size trout. Stocking is complete for the season. Quartzville is spiking up at 312 CFS at the time of this writing. Watch the rapid rises.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Friends did well on a trout float during late September – with all the fish looking up.
South Santiam Trout: No New Updates.
North Santiam Coho: Great numbers of Coho in the Willamette system right now, and it’s primetime on the North Santiam for coho. Numbers are great. As of October 8th (last reported date) there are 21,279 adults over Willamette Falls, and 9,106 jacks.
Flow spiked and is dropping as of Thursday, currently at 3,930 CFS and dropping. Kind of high, but it is dropping rapidly and should be great on Friday. Could spike again by later in the weekend.
North Santiam Trout: Take a look at the Detroit Res report, the inlet into Detroit has been a trout fishing hotspot since last week.
Foster Reservoir: There are reports of some good crappie fishing on the east side.
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
It’s a great time on the Middle Fork. The Middle Fork flow is currently 1,930 CFS – at a good fishing level and steady since last report. Upper portions of the Middle Fork, including parts of the North Fork of the Middle Fork were affected by the Bedrock Fire, although the fire is coming under control. Access is more open now, but look carefully at conditions, expect smoke in the area, and heed fire closure signs and stay away from these areas. Fire closure information in the Willamette National Forest can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is at 5,110 CFS at Harrisburg at the time of this writing and on the rise.
Cohos are being caught above the Falls, in areas to the north up through the confluence of the Santiam River. Reports of fish being caught through the day – some midday and some during the evening before sunset.
Anglers have been catching a few steelhead here and there, as some incidental catches. Anglers in the Eugene area continue to catch some walleye below the dams in the Willamette system.
Dexter Reservoir: Will be stocked again next week with 2,530 trophy trout.Dexter received 3,000 trophy trout during May. Stocking is complete for the spring. Bass fishing is still good.
McKenzie River: Prime time on the upper river. The upper portions of the McKenzie have been fishing well. However, some access may be restricted by the Lookout Fire and the area is likely going to remain smokey. Fire closure information in the Willamette National Forest can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
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 Trout And Steelhead! Metolius River Hatches. Big Fish On Crane Prairie Reservoir. Paulina Lake Brown Trout.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
It will be mostly cloudy to start the weekend through most parts of the high desert with highs topping out in the 60s through Sunday. Sun will start to come through on Sunday. Rain and temperatures in the 60s are in the forecast for the start of next week.
The Deschutes River canyon will see 60s through the weekend and overcast skies. Rain is not currently in the forecast.
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels. Flows have been coming down this week, and 3,890 CFS during the time of this writing. Flow is also coming down at Moody, but similar to the last report and currently at 4,500 at Moody.
Middle Deschutes River: Flows are going up. But fishing remains steady although access to the deeper slots is trickier.
Upper Deschutes River: Closed as of now.
Haystack Reservoir: At 72 % right now. ODFW started stocking fish.
Lake Billy Chinook: Some recent reports of good fishing for kokes in the Metolius Arm area; with kokes near the surface. Bull trout in the Metolius Arm is improving. The smallmouth bass fishing in the Crooked River Arm has been good. Trout and kokes are good in the Deschutes Arm. ODFW is reporting some algal blooms.
Crooked River: Crooked River flows are at 72 CFS currently. Still fishable and good fishing, but let’s hope it doesn’t drop too far. BWO hatches are going. A few PMDs are out, and the midges can be going strong. Nymphing with scuds and perdigons is producing.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy trout earlier in September and again this week with 500 trophy trout.
Metolius River: The bulls are getting more active and after the kokes. Bull trout are present throughout the river, even all the way up in the deeper pools up to Allingham, and grabbing caught fish, flies, and some streamers.
Wickiup Reservoir: Fill level is at 13% full – watch those boat ramps.
Wickiup still has rainbows and browns and is very accessible. Reports of good kokanee fishing continue – good option for kokes. Otherwise, reports are that fishing is slow.
Devils Lake: Devils Lake was stocked earlier in August with 1,383 legal size trout. A good alternative to the more popular lakes for a bank angler or one with a float tube.
Hosmer: Reports from many, including Jeff Perin at the Flyfishers Place in Sisters reports that the channel is now devoid of fish. The upper lake has some large fish, but the lower lake has the best fishing right now.
North and South Twin Lakes: The lakes were stocked earlier in September.
Prineville Reservoir: The reservoir is at 60 % full as of today. Early fall fishing for bass and crappie has been good.
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Reports are good – Crane is fishing well and the fish are healthy. Bigger fish this fall – and I’ve commented fish quality and size has been great this season. The Deschutes, Cultus, and Quinn channels are surroundings are fishing well.
Lava Lake/Little Lava Lake: Latest reports are that there is okay fishing.
Paulina Lake: Paulina is fishing very well.
East Lake: East is a bit lower, but still easily accessible with float tubes and pontoon boats.
Odell Lake: Kokes, from recent reports, are an early morning deal. Once the sun hits the water, it’s over.
North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: Mouth of the Deschutes is producing.
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:
Rain on the way… Angler’s anxious for outcome
The Chetco estuary got hot for Chinook last weekend after the rain got lots of fish moving. The Coos and lower Umpqua systems saw similar results. The Rogue Bay fishery is pretty much a wrap with anglers attention moving up river towards Huntley Park where anglers are catching coho, and a few more Chinook. Upriver on the Rogue, summer steelhead catches have been good to excellent with half pounders in the mix. The ocean that was great last weekend looks to be a bit iffy for this weekend. If you can get out, the bottom fish and lings are still on the bite. Lakes that still have decent water are providing good catches of trout and bass. The weekend should provide various good fishing options.
The Chetco estuary should continue to provide some good opportunity for Chinook catches along with a few coho. There’s a good number of fish- Chinook, coho and jacks in the river.
The Coquille and Coos river systems are seeing increased salmon action.
The Rogue bay action has moved up river towards Huntley Park where anglers are targeting coho with fair success. Some Chinook are still being taken and half pounder numbers have also increased on up to Agnes.
The mid and upper Rogue has been good to excellent for summer steelhead. Anglers targeting Chinook below Hog creek have had slow action. A good number of half pounders have shown up as well….. I even caught one! Some coho are starting to show and anglers should start to target them after this next rain.
Even though there might be a shower or two this weekend, it’s a good time to get out for some great Fall fishing.🎣
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Go Beaves! 🏈
Jeff’s expanded reports, multiple lake updates, and forecasts including his past reports can be found here for Members! There is SO much more.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.