Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – Springers are now on the minds of many. Hopefully, you saw our Sultan of Sellwood update on Tuesday. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to get these updates in REAL TIME!
For now, with rising rivers and smelt-laden mainstems, spring Chinook success has hit the brakes. Until the rivers drop and clear and some of the smelt on the mainstem Columbia filter out, it’s going to be a tough weekend to score salmon in the region.
There were still some Willamette and a few Columbia River springers caught and retained but the Portland area, at least on the Columbia, has yet to kick off. It’ll be well into next week before anglers will have spring Chinook opportunities again, save for the mouth of the Clackamas, which will clear sooner.
Metro anglers should look up trout stocking lakes and ponds in the Willamette Valley. It’s “All in” for trout plants in many still waters, in preparation of spring break. Check out the stocking schedule HERE.
WDF&W will hold another recreational dipping season for smelt on the mainstem Cowlitz River. See the latest info HERE. The commercial fleet is having a good season, which should translate into good dipping for sportsmen and women on the Cowlitz River.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Same ‘ol, same ‘ol on the Clackamas, but it’s running high with no immediate signs of coming back down. Hatchery fish are becoming more scarce with our reliable Mike Roberson admitting he’s gone 6 weeks without touching a fish. Mike stated, “It started off so good, and has become quite challenging ever since.”
Wild steelhead counts are tracking well behind last year’s numbers at this point at the NF facility, operated by PGE. Just another sign that the return isn’t matching the upward trend we saw last year. Steelhead seem volatile that way.
It’ll be a while before excitement rolls back around for Clackamas River anglers. Between dwindling opportunity and a rising river, there won’t be much rush hour traffic here in the coming days.Sandy River fishing, avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – Good afternoon All. Well, it was another one of those weeks. The rains came and the river jumped almost 2 ft. and is slowly dropping and then forecasted to climb another couple of feet by the weekend. The current river height is 10.3 ft and is forecasted to go up to 12.5ft. The rainy weather has put tons of lower-level snow i the system and the forecast is for warmer weather later in the week, which will melt all that snow.
I fished on Saturday and the Springdale Pub had its conclusion to their tournament. There were a couple of fish caught in the middle section of the river and caught on beads and bait. Fishing has slowed down and the numbers of anglers have slowed down and most have moved from the Sandy to the Willamette or the channel.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – It was a better week for north and central coast steelheaders. Despite some tough weeks this season, this wasn’t a terrible one, with guides often reporting 2 – 5 chances per day, often landing 1 or 2 per boat.
I fished the Wilson on Monday, under perfect conditions, only to come up short, as in no strikes fishing from Siskeyville to Sollie Smith Bridge, pulling plugs and bobber-dogging jigs and prawn tails. Although we didn’t see any action where we spent the bulk of our day (Above Mills Bridge), we heard of boats doing fair downstream of Mills, particularly in the morning hours.
The Nestucca has been fishing fair as well. Guides and anglers that have been fishing downstream of 4th Bridge are finding fairly consistent results, but not big numbers. That’s no surprise given the downturn in this year’s adult returns. The fresh fish have been coming in small waves, with anglers finding success in small stretches of any particular river reach they are running, and then going a long distance without hooking any fish. That’s kinda been the nature of the beast this season.
The other broodstock highlights, the NF Nehalem, Siletz and Alsea continue to under-perform. Reports from the hotline at the hatchery are poor, despite perfect water conditions the last few days.
SIletz River anglers are finding far more wild fish than hatchery, as that supplementation program isn’t robust and peaked about 3 weeks ago.
The Alsea remains challenging, such a big river with smaller returns and low returns of late running broodstock fish. It’s been challenging most of the season except for December hatchery intake mania.
The mainstem Nehalem has been out of reach, but there has been some effort on the Salmonberry for anglers seeking a wild fish option. Anglers have to work for their catch here, but it’s often worth it if you’re a stealthy angler.
Westward, anglers had one day to recreate offshore and it went fairly well. ODF&W port creel samplers summized this for the Recreation Report:
- Depoe Bay: Ocean conditions improved for one day and anglers saw near limits of rockfish, mostly black and deacon. Lingcod landings were near limits as well.
- Newport: One good day last week allowed anglers to fish, but the bite was slow. Anglers landed about 2 fish with a mix of black, deacon, copper and China rockfishes, with a few kelp greenling. Lingcod landings were quite low compared to previous weeks.
Don’t overlook trout on the coast right now. With a robust stocking schedule to accommodate spring breakers, lakes and ponds are still getting ample numbers of trout for the taking. We listed lakes last week, but that’s already out of date so go HERE to see the latest waterways to get fish on the north coast as well as other districts.
THE HERRING WERE IN at Yaquina Bay, but now they have disappeared…
Chinook Members also have access to…
- This week, Buzz Ramsey goes into great detail catching big steelhead in northern Washington. Paid subscribers can see his post HERE.
- Last week, Bill Monroe wrote about fee increases next year. You can read more about it HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- The Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week:TAKING A CHANCE – Josiah DarrYou can view it HERE.
All the STS articles are located here.
Upper Willamette River System Report –
Some rivers blown out, others fishable, but high. Rains expected to continue, so check river flows before fishing this weekend
North Santiam River
North Santiam fishing guide Mike Ferris of Fishermen Mike’s Guide Service reports that the North Santiam is high and muddy. He said there have been fires in the river’s watershed, and once the ground gets saturated, the mud starts flowing in.
“If I can’t see under the water 3 feet, it’s too muddy to fish,” He said.
He also reports that the South Santiam River is in the same shape, with mud and high flows.
You can check the river gauge at Mehama here.
Earlier in the season anglers were finding some nice wild winter steelhead. There are no hatchery plants in the river, so any hatchery fish caught are strays from another system.
River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at about 4200 cfs at the gage in Mehama.
Anglers are reminded that the use of bait is not allowed between Nov. 1 and April 21.
There are several large, downed trees in the river creating some dangerous hazards for boaters in the lower reaches. For more information check out the Oregon State Marine Board website
South Santiam River
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000 cfs, but at present they are at over 6,000 cfs. You can check the gauge at Waterloo here.
McKenzie River
The freestone section and the tailwater are well above a normal level. Below Leaburg Dam the discharge is at 6,200 cfs. Give it some time to drop and clear. Good hatches continue to take place when conditions allow. The Trout will also take spinners. Steelhead and salmon are in the river below Leaburg Dam.
You can check the river flows below Leaburg Dam Here.
Upper Willamette River
The middle and upper sections of the Willamette are good places for craft such as kayaks, and drift boats. Bank anglers will find plenty of good access. Consult the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.
The river’s trout prefer the colder water above Corvalis. The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating.
The river at Corvalis is running at about 3600 cfs. You can check the river flows at Corvalis here.
Scheduled to be stocked the week of March 10:
Cottage Grove Reservoir, Blue Lake, Hills Creek Reservoir, Blue Lake Reservoir, Row River Nature Park Pond, Dexter Reservoir, Huddleston Pond, EE Wilson Pond, Dorman Lake, Timber Linn Lake
Stocked the week of March 3:
Walter Wirth Lake, Dorena Reservoir, Row River Nature Paek Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Alton Baker Canoe Canal, Junction City Pond.
Dexter Pond road closure
Beginning Friday, April 1, the public will not be able to drive into the Dexter Ponds Hatchery due to bridge inspection by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Please call the USACE Park Ranger Office at 541-942-5631 with questions.
Cottage Grove Reservoir
Perhaps the best largemouth lake in western Oregon, Cottage Grone Reservoir is best fished for the big bass in the spring, but currently the stocked trout are getting the attention. Fishing has been good for the stocked rainbows, and a few larger fish have recently been caught, with some up to 5 pounds.
The Oregon Health Authority has issued an advisory for this reservoir, neighboring Dorena Reservoir and the Coast Fork drainage due to naturally occurring mercury that builds up in resident fish, especially long-lived fish such as trophy bass.Both from a fishery standpoint and for your health, the best plan is to release bass.
The planted trout should not be expected to build up high levels of mercury.
Green Peter Reservoir
The water level in the reservoir is slowly increasing as they prepare to fill it before the summer recreation season. The boat ramp at Thistle Creek is available to launch boats. The lake will soon be stocked with rainbow trout.
Fishing for and harvesting Chinook in the lake and the rivers above is prohibited. Any Chinook caught in Green Peter reservoir must be released unharmed.
For the latest information on water levels at Green Peter Reservoir check with the Army Corps of Engineers’ website for more information.
Central Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Deschutes, Metolius, and Fall River fishing well, Crooked River still too high for good fishing. Gorge walleye picking up, and a few more lakes are accessible after snow melt.
Columbia River Gorge
Wendy Boyer of the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus reports that walleye action is picking up with the warming water. The fish are getting more aggressive ahead of the spawn, and deep diving plugs have been drawing bites. There are a few more boats out most days, as word spreads about the improving bite.
The Guides Forecast: Look for the action to continue to improve as the fish move toward their spawning areas, and act more aggressively. Look for the schools on rocky reefs in the 10-to-30-foot range. Deep diving plugs should continue to get the fish, but if they are picky, try trolling a worm harness, or jigging with blade baits.
The action should improve until the fish actually begin spawning in April. Once they do, bank anglers may find them by fishing below The Dalles Dam.
Lower Deschutes River
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that the river is returning to normal, and the gauge at the Moody Rapids shows the river is expected to stay at just about 7700 CFS for the coming week. Hazel reports increased effort recently.
“The river is slowly dropping, and there have been a lot of fishermen out lately,” said Hazel. “They did well, and the river is slowly coming back into its normal shape.”
Anglers have been nymphing, but there have been some good hatches, especially on cloudy days. Afternoon hatches include Blue Wing Olives and winter caddis.
The folks at the The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that the Lower D at Maupin is still high, but fishable for sure. Stonefly nymphs, green rock worms, Perdigons, hares ear, PT, Blue Psycho Prince and micro jig- streamers will do the trick.
A few gear anglers have been out lately, but there is no report on what lures they are using. Small trout spinners tend to get the rivers’ redband trout’s attention.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
While the rivers are receding from recent floods or near flood stages, many won’t be in fishable shape for the weekend, and leave anglers looking for better options like heading to some of the lakes that have been recently stocked with trout. Coastal rivers like the Chetco, Elk, and the Sixes will close to steelhead at the end of the month and it looks like maybe by mid-next week they’ll be back into fishable shape.
The Upper Rogue River from the Dam to Casey Park and the Applegate up towards Cantrall Buckley Park are most favorable steelhead weekend options. The ocean looks to be accessible Friday and or Saturday depending on where you go out from. Good catches of rock fish and ling cod would be in store.
The Umpqua systems aren’t looking too great either. They’ll be high and out of shape until at least mid to late next week. Lakes that are full or near full would be my best bet for weekend anglers to wet a line. Many have been stocked with trout. It’s looking like at least mid-next week could get the above rivers back into fishable shape.
With all of that sad news, we’re officially into Spring and that means Spring Chinook season and more fishing opportunities. While there have been a few Springers already caught on the lower Rogue River, angler anticipation is “hopeful” that the weather with be conducive in the near weeks to hook into some more. April can be a good time for the middle section to catch both steelhead and Chinook while fishing for one or the other. The lakes and ponds are getting full and being stocked with trout and as it gets warmer, bass and panfish will be biting better
Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.