Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – It’s go time for mainstem Columbia trollers are Chinook continue to stream by the Portland area, headed for upper Columbia tributaries for the fall spawn. Catches of Chinook continue to impress anglers, it helps that we’re in peak season for what looks to be a robust return of fall fish.
Catches from the gorge to Longview are good, but with the bulk of the fish over Bonneville Dam, catch rates are likely to slow, but remain steady for a few more weeks. Managers met today (Thursday), liberalizing the Buoy 10 fishery for any Chinook (wild or hatchery), but anglers dialed into the upper river are unlikely to deviate from their successful paths.
Mainstem Columbia River coho numbers are good as well, anglers tend to focus on those fish a bit later in the season since the “Kings” are in.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s still early for robust coho catches but it’s highly likely that anglers are covert in their catches of early returning fish. Those working the lower reaches of the Clackamas River are likely intercepting biters, but the bite is short-lived for this return of fish.
Willamette Falls is passing coho as well, but it’ll be another few weeks before the above falls fishery gets interesting. Anglers may start trolling downstream of the falls for September biters, it’s likely to get good in the coming weeks.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – This week has been productive for all species of fish. We saw Coho late springers and some summer steelhead in the catch.
The coho have just started to enter the river with a few being caught in the lower portion of the river. The mid to upper section of the river saw late springers being caught with occasional summer steelhead. I have reports from the hatchery that some bright springers still are entering the river.
If you catch a bright native chinook in the lower to mid-section of the river, it will most likely be a fall chinook that are moving into the river to spawn. The Sandy must be hatchery only even if the Columbia is open for either hatchery or native.
Get your gear ready and plan to hit the river for fish will be here in good numbers soon. Wishing you the best of luck and tight lines.
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 – Catches up and down the North Coast are still preliminary, but seasoned anglers out of Garibaldi scored early limits of quality fish on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today (Thursday) was productive as well, but it took longer to find the fish for most.
For those that aren’t anxious to ply the salty sea, freshwater opportunities are starting to percolate as well. Fair at best returns are expected for most North Coast systems and regulations are somewhat complicated so be sure to check the regulation updates page HERE for the watershed you intend to fish.
The Nehalem remains a popular destination and hatchery coho are starting to make a showing. We are somewhat in transition time between the summer and fall returns of Chinook, but both strains should be available to anglers from the North Fork of the Nehalem, downstream.
Tillamook Bay is still pretty immature, but those that fished this week were largely disappointed. Stronger tides earlier in the week produced copious amounts of seaweed and eelgrass, certainly the foe of fishermen in recent years. One guide can be quoted saying, “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen!” Thankfully, this happens the worst of the stronger tide exchanges, which are on the way out right now.
The Nestucca is starting to show some signs of early returning fish and anglers will put in a concerted effort this month. The stronger showing happens around the third week of September but these early fish tend to be fairly good biters, relatively speaking.
The Salmon River receives one of those homogenized runs where most of the fish come back in a relatively short period of time. This is due to past and current hatchery practices. This watershed as well is a third week of September show, but there are certainly fish available for experienced and lucky anglers alike.
The Siletz River, as you’ve heard us say many times before, is a bright spot on the Central Oregon coast. Catches are starting to pick up here and with the low tide exchange this week, lower tidewater and bay trollers will find the best success in the coming days.
Just to the south, the Alsea has historically been a productive Chinook fishery. That of course is not the case in recent years, but fish should start to show in catchable numbers this time of year.
The often-overlooked Yaquina does receive a good Chinook and coho return, this year is likely to be no different. Trollers working the upper reaches of the estuary are starting to find a few early fish, but we’re still a couple weeks away from more productive fishing. It’s early here, and the catches reflect that.
Most summer steelhead anglers lost interest a while ago, but as weather moderates, these few summer steelhead we’ll find some inspiration on occasion. The Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz are really the only three options for summer steelhead on the north and Central Coast. Catches have been underwhelming.
Crabbing is finally starting to pick up in our coastal estuaries, but the saltwater crabbing is excellent. There remains a fair number of softshell crab in ocean catches, but numbers are robust.
Halibut remains a thing and often times, they are intercepted this time of year by Chinook trollers working the adjacent areas close to north coast estuaries.
Albacore tuna fishing is great with reports of tuna just 20 miles offshore. September seas can be great for such an exercise but subject to change at any time.
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 Portions Of The McKenzie and Willamette In the Springfield/Eugene To Harrisburg Float Starting To Fish Well. Green Peter Ramps Closed Upper McKenzie Still Closed Off From Fire
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker will be stocked with 900 legal size rainbows next week (week of Sept 11).
Detroit Reservoir: Good fishing report on the inlet into Detroit near Hoover Campground with angling from the bank opportunities. Power eggs and flies were taking trout. Other reports are of good kokanee away from the dam. With cooling weather, trout fishing prospects are improving throughout Detroit, although this inlet from the Santiam is a hotspot.
Green Peter Reservoir: Whitcombe is closed. Thistle Creek boat ramp has been closed. Water level is at 921.9 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
More kokanee reports in the Thistle Creek arm – maybe some better fish being caught.
Green Peter was stocked end of May with 2,800 legal size trout. Stocking for the season is complete.
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. River flow is at 18.8 feet, up and down through the week with a bit of rain. It’s starting to bump up a bit and will continue into the fall.
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.
Chinook, however, is better – looking 4367 at Foster on August 29.
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.
Foster Reservoir: Foster was stocked during April. Foster was stocked late May with 3,800 legal size trout. Foster will be stocked again in September. Foster is steady at 636 feet. The water levels are reported here:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14186600
Willamette River – Middle Fork:
The Middle Fork flow is currently 1,950 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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
Willamette River – From Harrisburg, to Corvallis, to Albany:
The Willamette River is at 4,050 CFS at Harrisburg – similar to last week. Flow bumped up end of last week and has been steady over last last several days. 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.
It’s primetime for bass in the sloughs – evenings are best with a topwater. Sloughs from Peoria to Corvallis to Albany are holding active bass.
Clear Lake: Hwy 126 reopened in this area and Clear Lake is now accessible.Clear Lake is a great option.
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
At this point, upper river has not been accessible.
The mainstem McKenzie is at a 2,140 CFS flowrate at Vida – continued nice fishing levels all around and fairly steady, but up a bit from last week. Temperatures range from 57 to 63 degrees F.
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
Paulina and East Lakes Are Producing. Metolius River Redbands And Bull Trout. Crane Prairie Has Some Hogs.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
There will be fair weather through Central Oregon and the high desert over the weekend, with highs in the 80s through much of the region and the Deschutes canyon areas.
Smoke in core areas of Central Oregon has cleared with better air quality throughout.
ODFW News – Angling Restrictions
The entire ODFW Steelhead Management Framework presentation is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPjaWczzOD8
The Deschutes will remain open through the entire season for steelhead angling.
Lower Deschutes River:
The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows bumped up and are currently at 3750 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,260 at Moody.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 53 to 55 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 58 to 63 F. Fortunately, the temperature range is dropping to safe levels. Getting to a better range in that lower river for steelhead. Also clearing up from the White River silt from last week.
Middle Deschutes River: The waters have been cooling. Jeff Perin reports some good fishing on the Middle D all the way to Lake Billy Chinook. Fishing better in recent weeks,
Upper Deschutes River: Note the Cascades Lakes Highway will be closed from Elk Lake to Lava Lake the next two days. Note this area is currently under a Level 1 fire notice – a be ready to evacuate.
Haystack Reservoir: At 86 % right now, essentially the same as 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.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are at 240 CFS currently. Trout are looking up – BWOs are becoming more prevalent.
Fall River: Fall River was stocked with 1000 trophy trout this 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. PMDs are going strong afternoon and evenings. Caddis a are present, but caddis hatches were lighter during my most recent time on the Met.
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.
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.
North and South Twin Lakes: North and South Twin were stocked during the last week of July with 500 trophy trout in each lake. The lakes were stocked again during the first week of September.
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.
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Just like last week, the cooling waters are improving the fishing. Jeff Perin says that so many anglers are catching bigger fish than recent years.
Temps in the channels are in the low 60s. The fishing reports are only getting better.
Lava Lake/Little Lava Lake: Lava was stocked with 6,600 legal size trout late June. Little Lava was stocked late June with 1,250 legal size trout. Little Lava Lake was stocked again mid-July.
Three Creek Lake: Three Creek and especially the road is open. Although there has been some hot weather, the high elevation helped keep waters cool enough for angling, and the weather will be turning cooler.
Miller Lake: Miller Lake is accessible. Miller Lake was stocked with 4,600 legal size trout this week, and will be stocked again this week.
Paulina Lake: Paulina is great right now Just like last week – terrestrials are “it” on top.
East Lake:
East has some of the best callibaetis hatches going of any of the high lakes. This is continuing and I think it should go into at least next week with the current weather and conditions.
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:
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:
Jeff will be on a 3-week sabbatical and will return with the latest update the week of September 14th. He predicts pretty much the same will be going on with increased summer steelhead catches on the Rogue as well as some Chinook in the mid-section below Hog Creek. The ocean, when you can get on, should also provide good opportunity for tuna, fat coho and bottom fish.
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.