Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – Metro anglers are finally getting their dues with big numbers of fall Chinook passing by the Portland area, and many even willing to bite (for a change). Cooler weather is likely helping things but the fact of the matter is, there’s thousands passing through the neighborhood right now, we’re in peak season.
It’s early, but fall Chinook are tracking significantly ahead of last year at this same time, but it could also be an indication that the tule component (known as early arrivals) could be more robust than predicted, in the mainstem fishery.
So far, it’s all good news for Chinook anglers on the mainstem Columbia, there should be some good fishing from Longview to Hood River in the coming days. Anglers are reporting good catches from the Gorge to Longview with many boats getting early limits and home in time for a late breakfast. Those trolling 3.5 spinners or Brad’s Super Baits are producing good results.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s no secret, summer steelhead returns to the Clackamas this year have been dismal. Anglers may be eyeing the large (forecasted) return to the Columbia Basin this year, hoping that the Clackamas gets its fair share. There’s little sign of them yet, the Buoy 10 fishery has yet to see a large surge of “A” run coho just yet. Regardless, there’s little to be excited about on the Clackamas, other than another (likely) successful year of wild broodstock take for hatchery production in the coming weeks. If all goes as planned, much better spring Chinook fishing is on its way for this watershed. That’s what’s exciting to talk about on the Clackamas right now.
There isn’t much pressure, but that will change in the coming weeks after coho do show up. There’s some skepticism about how many will show, only time will tell, but passage at Bonneville is over 3X what is was last year, which is certainly a good sign.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – “Hello All. I hope that you were able to get out and do some fishing this week. The weather has taken a turn for the better with cooler weather and a few rain showers off and on. The report from the hatchery personnel has been that there has still been some bright salmon showing up at the collection pen at Bull Run. Here are the numbers so far this year. There has been 1277 fish back to Bull Run with 72 this week and 10 to the hatchery. Summer steelhead 23 back to the hatchery. There is fish stacked up at the mouth of both Cedar Creek and Bull Run. There should be coho in the lower river with the number of coho going over Bonneville Dam so far.”
The river is currently running at 7.74ft and is silt green in color and should stay that way until we either get more rain and the temp drops down into the lower 50’s. If you catch a chinook in the lower river it will most likely be a fall chinook and a native. If you do happen to catch one please handle it with care and try to keep it in the river.
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 – The Buoy 10 fishery remains the rage on the north coast, but that is due to change when fall Chinook start arriving in better numbers in the coming weeks in many of the north coast estuaries up and down the north coast.
Buoy 10 anglers continue to witness good opportunities for coho and Chinook. As the catch starts to favor coho, anglers would be wise to focus more on high tide versus low slack and incoming tide for Chinook as most are doing now. Late starts are in order for those fishing this weekend.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for notifications so you get the nearly daily fishing reports we’re posting from this reach of river.
As far as those freshwater opportunities, it’s about to get more interesting for those fishing fall Chinook and coho in our coastal estuaries and adjacent waters. Reports are as sparse as the anglers already fishing here, so we’ll cover most of our options in the forecast section, since it’s more speculation than fact at this point. There are some reliable rumors going around however.
Coho seem to already be jumping and teasing Nehalem Bay trollers. That’s not surprising as hatchery coho start to make their way into the bay this time of year. There have been a few caught, mostly by trollers searching out Chinook in these waters. The summer Chinook fishery has produced some good catches over the last few weeks and although it is winding down, there’s still some good days from anglers currently working the Wheeler to Nehalem reach.
Siletz and upper Tillamook Bay are also early season options we’ll cover in the forecast section (paid members only), but reports are scarce. Early season anglers are notorious for keeping it hush this time of year.
Summer steelhead anglers aren’t going home happy all that often but those with knowledge on how to be successful in this fishery are also keeping it on the DL, since there’s far fewer fish to work over this year.
And speaking of a sleeper fishery, trollers working tidewater for sea-run cutthroat trout would likely be slayin’ it this time of year, but few, if any, do it any longer. There must be bigger fish to fry, but what a gateway drug this was for me as a kid.
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See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Fire Still Dominates Upper McKenzie and Upper Willamette Areas – Limits Access And Smokey Conditions. Last Hurrahs At Green Peter.
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 900 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked with the same next week.
Detroit Reservoir:
Good fishing report on the inlet into Detroit near Hoover Campground with angling from the bank opportunities. Detroit was stocked during the last week of June with 4,000 trophy trout. Reports mainly continue to be the same – some good trout fishing.
Green Peter Reservoir: Green Peter is open and accessible, for now.
Whitcombe is closed. Water level is at 931. feet. Dropping with some pulsed flows. Just a few weeks left before it is too low. Level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Quartzville Creek: Caution – the nearby Wiley Fire may affect access. Fire containment lines have been stable. Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked last week with 2200 legal size trout. Stocking is complete for the season.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled was stocked with 850 legal size rainbows during the first week of June. This is the last stocking 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.
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 2,440 CFS – at a good fishing level and up from 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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is at 4,180 CFS at Harrisburg – flow has been steady over last last several days, although this is a drop from last week. Lower water now, but fishable levels. Anglers have been catching a few steelhead here and there, as some incidental catches. Anglers in the Eugene area are also getting some walleye below the dams in the Willamette system. Steelhead numbers are down from last year. Temperatures at Harrisburg range from 64.5 to 68. Starting to get to a better trout and steelhead range, although that upper temperature is just on the edge.
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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
The upper river, where it is open and accessible, is great – and one of the standout trout fisheries right now except for possible smokey conditions.
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 Trout and Steelhead. Crane Prairie Water Is Cooling While The Fishing Heats Up. Metolius Hatches Keep Getting Better.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There have continuing air quality issues in Central Oregon, including Sisters through much of the past week and currently Bend. Some of the incoming rain may help with this.
There will be showers and thunderstorms in parts of the region on Friday, with highs topping out in the 60s. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, with highs in the mid-70s through the high desert. Sunday will be partly cloudy with highs in the low to mid 70s, and Monday will be clear with highs in the low to mid 70s.
The Deschutes River canyon area temperatures will be in the low 70s on Friday with a chance of showers, and then partly sunny and in the 70s through the long weekend.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows bumped up and are currently at 3590 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,060 at Moody. Water is clear.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 53 to 54.5 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 to 64 F. Fortunately, the temperature range is dropping to safe levels. Getting to a better range in that lower river for steelhead.
There is on and off overhead smoke in the canyon. That does create some conditions that the get the trout more active.
There’s more talk of steelhead and steelhead activity now. A few anglers swinging small flies are getting some grabs.
Middle Deschutes River: No new reports. The waters have been cooling. Jeff Perin reports some good fishing on the Middle D all the way to Lake Billy Chinook. Steelhead Falls area can be good this time of year. I do recommend mornings. Jeff says there are BWOs and caddis in the evenings.
Upper Deschutes River: Note this area is currently under a Level 1 fire notice – a be ready to evacuate. Upper Deschutes is providing some good nymphing right now, and euronymphing is producing.
Lake Billy Chinook: 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.
Some good kokanee catches are happening, and anglers are getting bulls in the Metolius arm. Kokes have been in the 50 to 60 foot range.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are around 250ish CFS – at 267 CFS currently.
Mostly nymph fishing right now, but when the fish are rising, look for PMD hatches. PMD emergers, duns and spinners according to Jeff Perin.
Fall River: One of the better bets for fishing with cold waters. Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy size trout earlier in August, and will be stocked again next week. Best times to fish are early mornings and evenings.
Metolius River:
The Metolius continues to improve and we are going into September – one of the best months on the Met. PMDs are going strong afternoon and evenings.
Wickiup Reservoir: 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.
Fill level is at 27% full.
Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake at 10 % full – no reports. The levels are starting to slowly decline.
Prineville Reservoir: The reservoir is at 72 % full as of today – chock full and releasing lots of water, but inflows have essentially stopped. There are some reports of algae, but still fishable.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
Read our SW Washington fishing report.
I live in southern Oregon and fish the rouge river , how about a fishing report for that river ? Maybe the Applegate River as well?
Our writer for this area has been traveling for the last few weeks and will be back next week with a full report.
We appreciate the feedback all!
How about more detailed reports weekly for Winchester Bay, Main Stem Umpqua, Siuslaw, Coos and Coquille?
Our writer for this area has been traveling for the last few weeks and will be back next week with a full report.