Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – Although fishing has tapered in recent days, the action is still good for below Bonneville salmon trollers, looking to score on the best opportunity of the year for fall Chinook. Passage at Bonneville Dam is still robust and catches are too in the pools above.
Anglers recently were granted additional days of opportunity to cash in on the better than expected return, fishing should remain good through the current proposed closure date of September 21st.
Coho are streaming into the Willamette, where action below the falls is starting to improve. It won’t be long before anglers can take advantage of the any coho (wild or hatchery) upstream of Willamette Falls, numbers are improving daily.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Coho have surged into the Clackams River and action is fair for the notoriously finicky returning adults. The Bowling Alley Hole is a pinch point for coho and anglers, be sure to report any snaggers as this practice can’t be tolerated.
All wild fish must be released and although wild fish tend to come later, there’s certainly some present now.
The mouth of Eagle Creek will get busy with excited anglers. Daybreak effort typically yields the best results.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – I hope that you have had the chance to go out and fish this week. There are pods of coho moving through the entire river, but the biggest issue is getting them to bite. The river is running at 7.7 ft and will stay that way until we get that major rain event.
The numbers of coho moving upriver are showing us that this year could be outstanding.
There have been lots of folks snagging multiple fish and keeping them. Please report the snaggers to protect our fishery. You will find the usual places crowded with anglers which I don’t need to mention.
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 anglers were hit with the disappointing news of a closure for the non mark-select fishery taking place south of Cape Falcon. Catches of wild (and hatchery) coho have been very good, responsible for quelling the fishery which was expected to last a bit longer than the new proposed date. Once managers assess the overall performance of the fishery, there may be additional opportunity, but nothing is for sure.
Meanwhile, the north coast estuaries are not flush with fall Chinook, but some are being caught in every estuary this time of year.
The Nehalem, Tillamook, Nestucca, Salmon, Siletz and Alsea systems all have catchable numbers of Chinook available, just not many of them.
Wild coho are available for anglers to take in some estuaries, check out the updated angling regulations HERE, and find the watershed you intend to fish before actually going fishing.
The Buoy 10 fishery is not performing for coho (or Chinook) as most had hoped. This happened last year, coho were present, just not biting well in the estuary fishery.
The offshore non mark-select fishery is producing good catches of coho, both wild and hatchery, and an occasional Chinook is falling in this fishery as well.
The ocean remains good for crabbing, but the majority of the keepers remain in a soft-shelled state. Bay crabbing is producing a slighly better return on hard-shelled crab.
The ocean looks to be a bit off limits for most ports this weekend. Although the swell remains slight, wind waves will prevent weekend anglers from pursuing offshore salmon, halibut, tuna and bottomfish.Hopefully conditions improve next week, there much more opportunity to pursue this month.
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
Lower McKenzie Fish Action. Willamette River Mixed Fish Opportunities – Bass Downriver To Albany, Trout Near the McKenzie Confluence, Walleye In The River
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 900 legal size rainbows this week.
Detroit Reservoir: Good fishing report on the inlet into Detroit near Hoover Campground with angling from the bank opportunities. Detroit is currently at 1523.9 feet. Docks are in. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500. Detroit kokanee fishing has been good.
Green Peter Reservoir: Fishing kayaks and canoes have access. Whitcombe is closed. Thistle Creek boat ramp has been closed.
Smallmouth bass fishing remains good.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked last week with 2200 legal size trout. Stocking is complete for the season.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Small numbers of steelhead are present in the South Santiam, with 350 at the dam on August 29th. Running at less than last year – at about 1/3rd of last year’s numbers.
South Santiam Trout: No New Updates.
North Santiam Trout: The North Santiam received 2,200 legal size trout early August. Stocking is complete for the year. That said, fishing has been good.
Willamette River – Middle Fork: The Middle Fork flow is currently 1,940 CFS – at a good fishing level and steady since last week. Upper portions of the Middle Fork, including parts of the North Fork of the Middle Fork are effected by the Bedrock Fire. 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.
Some steelhead are starting to show in the Middle Fork.
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is at 3,880 CFS at Harrisburg – down a little from last week.
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, and reports are that the walleye fishing is picking up.
Steelhead numbers are down from last year. Temperatures at Harrisburg range from 65 to 67.5. Starting to get to a better trout and steelhead range, although that upper temperature is just on the edge.
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 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.
At this point, the upper river has not been accessible.
The lower portions of the McKenzie have been fishing well recently.
The McKenzie above Leaburg was stocked with 1,833 legal size trout this week.
Aside from floating, good access at locations such as Armitage Park in Eugene offer anglers access to great water.
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
Metolius River Hatches Are It. Lower Deschutes Steelhead Scattered In The Lower River Portions. High Lakes – East Lake and Paulina Fishing Is Fantastic.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
Fair, warm weather will prevail through the high desert now and through the weekend. Highs around 90 will be widespread on Saturday, and Sunday in some places. Otherwise high 80s on Sunday, and high 70s to low 80s in higher elevation areas. It starts to cool into the 70s on Monday and 60s by mid-week.
The Deschutes River canyon will see 90s from Friday through Sunday, cooling into the 70s by mid-week next week.
Lower Deschutes River: The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows bumped up and are currently at 3720 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,190 at Moody.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 54.5 to 55.5 F – same lower range as last week.
The flow regime continues with a larger blend of bottom water and less top water from the dam. Waters warm in the lowest stretches near Moody to a range of 60.5 to 64.5 F. Near the same temperature range, but crept up since last week. That said, after a brief heatup, a cooling trend starts next week that should beneficial.
Middle Deschutes River: Fishing well, later in the day in the shadows or the evening light is great right now.
Upper Deschutes River: Cascade Lakes Highway is now open (it was closed for a few days last week.) Areas to the west of the Upper Deschutes across the Cascade Lakes Highway are under warnings. The upper Deschutes closes Sept 30th.
Haystack Reservoir: At 82 % right now, bit down from last week. ODFW started stocking fish, including some rainbow broodstock to begin rebuilding after the drawdown last year.
Lake Billy Chinook: Bull trout in the Metolius Arm is improving. Gear guys are catching big fish now, and still taking trolled lures like Rapalas. Bulls of more than 30 inches have been grabbing plugs. Reports this past day have bulls at about 50 feet down.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are at 246 CFS currently.
Jeff Perin reports that there are currently a lot of weeds that are preventing good, clean drifts. It’s a bit slower now.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy trout last week. Still popular but becoming more manageable during the daytimes now that it’s September.
Metolius River: September on the Met is the best. Green drakes are happening in parts of the river.
Bull trout are present throughout the river. Jeff Perin says the lake run bulls are starting to come up the Metolius now……my favorite.
Not much in the way of kokanee yet.
Wickiup Reservoir: Fill level is at 17% full – watch those boat ramps.
Wickiup still has rainbows and browns, and is very accessible.
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.
Prineville Reservoir: The reservoir is at 66 % full as of today. Continued good reports for bass and crappie fishing – maybe one of the best in Central Oregon.
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Like many places in September, it’s prime time on the Prairie.Waters have cooled and although we have some incoming warm weather, it’s back to pretty cool temperatures next week.
Three Creek Lake: Three Creek and especially the road is open. My favorite month on Three Creek Lake is September.
North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: This week’s report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus.
Salmon fishing at the mouth of the Deschutes is starting to produce lots of big fish. Wendy has heard of some 30+ pounders being caught.
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: Rogue Bay mixed action with Chinook and coho
The Rogue Bay is still producing Chinook and coho numbers are increasing daily. The middle and upper Rogue summer steelhead catches have picked up as well but are primarily from boaters. Lots of lakes are now too low and anglers aren’t fishing them much so I’m only reporting on the lakes more worth while even if low. The ocean when you can get on is excellent for large lings, halibut and rock fish. The Chetco estuary is just getting started and only a few fish have been caught.
The ocean should be good for the weekend to try for some remaining halibut quota, coho, ling cod and rock fish. Crabbing has picked up towards Charleston and Winchester bays.
The Rogue bay is seeing more and more coho in the daily catches. The Chinook bite has been on and off after the long weekend which was good. Many good quality fish into the 30 pound range were caught. Half pounders are starting to come in as well. Summer steelhead catches have increased in the mid and upper Rogue since river traffic has decreased after the weekend.
Bass fishing on the Coquille and S. Umpqua have been good to excellent. Pink fin perch are still biting well at Winchester Bay.
The North Umpqua is closed to all fishing. The main Ump is starting to see increased chinook catches but not hot yet.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
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.
Thanks for using my picture for the September 16 fishing report.
What about Ocean fishing out of Newport, Winchester Bay, and Florence ????