Portland/Metro Fishing Report – With the Columbia re-opening tomorrow (Friday, May 9th) anglers are anxious to get on the water when peak migration is happening. Although history shows that the bite tapers following the peak passage day, just knowing that there’s several thousand upper Columbia bound spring Chinook swimming past you is inspiration enough.
The fishing isn’t likely to be lights out, but the mainstem, still within a good temperature range, should provide some of the best opportunity for anglers in the metro area. Test net catches downstream of Longview show that the bulk of the run is upstream now, but yet to pass over Bonneville Dam. Be cautious of the deadline near Bonneville Dam, boundaries are outlined in THIS PRESS RELEASE.
The Willamette is already in its summer doldrums, with the best catches (if you can call it that) still happening near the deadline at the mouth of the Multnomah Channel near St. Helens. There’s a decent first light bite and close to high tide as well. With the Columbia opener, St. Helens anglers have a nice set of options now.
Catches in Oregon City are sporadic at best. As river temperatures edge around 60°, it won’t be long before shad catches light up. Sunny days are best for shad fishing.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – All remains quiet on the Clackamas front. With winter steelhead over, and summer fish just now trickling in, there isn’t much interest in the Clackamas fishery. Spring Chinook are starting to show, but have a serious case of lock-jaw as we work out of the old broodstock, and into the new and improved wild brood adults. We should start to see jacks from the first set of parents that jump started this program.
Creel checks have started on the Clackamas so we should have more definitive data next week although I’m convinced you won’t be all that impressed with the results as anglers are still struggling to get motivated to fish this system. With the Willamette in the same neighborhood, most anglers are opting for this fishery, although it’s far from wide-open as well.
Improving numbers of both summer steelhead and spring Chinook should start to show, but you’ll still be challenged to find consistent results here, even in peak season.Sandy River fishing, avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – Good afternoon All. This week’s report is going to be on the short side. The river is running gin clear and is 8.79 ft and the river temp has been on the rise with the warm weather we’re having. The current river temp is 51.79 degrees and will continue to warm as the weather continues to warm up. There are both springers and summers being caught with most of the fish being caught on spinners with and without hoochies. Beads in the upper river and flies all have been effective in getting summer steelhead to bite with size 4 or 5 spinners the ticket for springers.”
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Spring Chinook are starting to show in slightly better numbers in Tillamook Bay and the Umpqua system. Small tides this week kept anglers focused on lower Tillamook Bay, where catches were fair at best. The upper bay has been slow recently. It’s too early for Nestucca springers to show in catchable numbers just yet.
The Umpqua is putting out some quality spring Chinook for those fishing around Scottsdale. Plugs is often the ticket for biters in that reach of river and a springer topping 50 pounds was recently released there.
Halibut is all the rage along the Oregon Coast right now. May is a popular month to pursue these flatfish. Newport is by far the most productive port, but halibut can be found westward of every coastal port this time of year.
Bottomfishing remains productive too, with lingcod and sea bass falling quite regularly for saltwater sportsmen. Ocean crabbing is challenging and so is crabbing in nearly every estuary for that matter. It won’t get better any time soon.
Another minus tide series shows up this weekend. If the surf remains calm as predicted, digging should be excellent for razor clams along Clatsop Beaches and in Oregon’s coastal estuaries for a variety of species.
Upper Willamette River System Report by Terry Otto
Upper Willamette systems low, fishing slow. Forecasted rains should help. Chinook and steelhead numbers over Willamette Falls picking up.
The upper Willamette systems have dropped, but a little too low now, and local guides report fishing is slow. Rains forecasted starting this weekend should improve the bites. The numbers of Chinook passing the falls have increased daily, with a total of over 4,500 adults moving upstream as of mid-week. That is better than at this time last year, when 2,471 nooks had crossed. However, to put things in perspective, over 34,000 springers had crossed by this time in 2004.
Steelhead numbers are less impressive, with 1,458 summers crossing the falls. Last year over 2,929 had passed the falls by now, which may not bode well for the season.
Stocked April 21-25:
Green Peters Reservoir, Dexter Res, Fall Creek- Willamette River, Clear Lake, Foster Res, Junction City Pond, McKenzie River-1 (below Leaburg Dam), Blue River, Blue River Res, Leaburg Lake.
Stocked April 28-May 2:
Alton Baker Canal, McKenzie R-2 above Leaburg dam, Leaburg Lake, Blue Lake, Silver Creek Res, Green Peter Res, Willamette River- Coast Fork, Salmon Creek, Waverly Lake, Junction City Pond.
Check the 2025 trout stocking schedule
Santiam River
Matt Halseth of Matt Halseth Guide Service reports fishing has been slow in both the South and North forks of the river. “The water is pretty low.” he said. “There are a few steelhead and a few Chinook around but it’s pretty slow overall. If we get some rainy weather that would help. Now that the lakes are full, if we get some discharge from the lakes that will help, too.”
The north Santiam has been running at 56 to 57 degrees.
Guide Mike Ferris of Fishermen Mike’s Guide Service also reports that he has also seen signs of slow fishing, although he had not guided this week. Fishing for himself has not been good, either. “I Haven’t seen the people out in front of our house doing any good, and I haven’t hooked anything myself lately,” he said.
You can check the North Santiam River gauge at Mehama here, and the South Santiam River gauge at Waterloo here.
Detroit Reservoir
Both Ferris and Halseth have heard excellent reports of quick kokanee limits in Detroit Reservoir. Most of the fish are around 12 inches, with some of them even larger. The fish have moved a little deeper in response to the sunny weather, but are still high enough in the water column that downriggers are not yet necessary to reach the schools.
A six-inch chrome dodger ahead of a two-hook small hoochie, in pink or pink and purple, tipped with a piece of shrimp on the front hook, and kokanee corn on the back hook, has been the trick for Ferris. While the schools have been scattered, they are biting very well. Limits have been coming quickly.
McKenzie River
The Mckenzie was stocked this week with 6,500 hatchery rainbow trout. Both of the reaches, below Leaburg lake, and above Leaburg Lake, have now been stocked. Twenty summer steelhead have already passed Leaburg Dam, and the first spring Chinook passed on April 25th.
The freestone section is flowing a little below a normal level and clear and the tailwater is still near a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. According to the good folks at the The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, the Mckenzie is fishing good for trout, and just as good for whitefish. The big salmon flies are starting to show, and big chubbies have been good when the hatch is on.
Detroit Reservoir
Both Ferris and Halseth have heard excellent reports of quick kokanee limits in Detroit Reservoir. Most of the fish are around 12 inches, with some of them even larger. The fish have moved a little deeper in response to the sunny weather, but are still high enough in the water column that downriggers are not yet necessary to reach the schools.
A six-inch chrome dodger ahead of a two-hook small hoochie, in pink or pink and purple, tipped with a piece of shrimp on the front hook, and kokanee corn on the back hook, has been the trick for Ferris.
Fern Ridge Reservoir
Although Fern Ridge offers outstanding fishing for bass and catfish, crappie are the main attraction. Crappie in Fern Ridge tend to grow more quickly than those in other western Oregon waters and the reservoir often produces fish over 12-inches. The best crappie fishing is in the spring, though some fish can be caught during the warmer summer months. The shoreline along Hwy 126 and Perkins Peninsula is a good area to target. Other locations include the channels where tributary streams enter the lake and along the face of the dam.
Central Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Trout fishing excellent in rivers, lakes. Kokanee lakes very good,too. Rivers in great shape, warm water fish lakes getting better.
Trout fishing across the region is excellent in both lakes and rivers. Good May hatches coming off, and the trout are hungry. Anglers report excellent spring kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook, Odell Lake, and Wickiup Reservoir. Fish at Lake Billy Chinook and Odell Lake are averaging 13 inches; while 14–17-inch fish can be found at Wickiup.
Check Regional Flows here: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/destea.html
Columbia River
The spring Chinook season above Bonneville Dam has been closed as of April 26. With the salmon season shut, most anglers looking for springers are now at Drano Lake, according to the folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply. That has taken a lot of anglers out of the area. They report that, although the conditions were terrible, and very few salmon were caught, the quota was filled by a hot bite for the bank anglers outside the mouth of Drano Lake.
The walleye bite continues to be hot around Rufus. Anglers are doing the best by trolling bottom-bouncing worm harnesses and plugs. The best bite has been on the worms. If any big walleye have been taken recently, those lucky anglers are not talking.
Lower Deschutes River
The river rose up earlier in the week from releases at Lake Billy Chinook, but it has been lowered back down to 4600 cfs. Amy Hazel at the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop reports that it did not hurt the fishing. “The water was bumped up, but fishing has been decent,” said Hazel. “The first salmonflies and golden stones are showing. People are doing well and catching a lot of fish.” She added that nymphing is still working when the surface action is slow. The warming weather has the river sitting at 53 degrees.
The Metolius River
The river has been pretty consistent, with good hatches coming off. However, some errastic weather the last week did disturb the large flying carpenter ant hatch. The folks at The Fly Fishers Place expect the ants to show with the warmer weather predicted through Saturday. Rains forecast for Sunday and Monday could interrupt the hatches.
PMD’s (#16) have taken a strong hold on the hatch cycle here, but don’t overlook BWO’s (#18-20). Fish the cycle from nymphs, to emergers, add cripples because the fish in spring creeks like to key on the stuff that won’t get away easily, and of course duns and rusty spinners will complete the package.
Crooked River
The river has finally dropped to below 500 cfs, and should be fishable by this weekend. The river inflow to the Reservoir is dropping and is currently lower than the outflow. That is a positive sign. Watch out when wading, and do not try to cross the river yet. Good flies to try right now include the Fire Starter, Jig Napoleon, Jig Rainbow Warrior, and Caddis Pupa.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Not much change here. Anglers are still reporting massive midge hatches in the morning with lots of fish rising. Flies to try: Griffith’s Gnat (#18-22), Parachute Midge (black in #20-22), Spent Spinner (#20-22), or really anything that is tiny and black
Haystack Lake reports from Haystack indicate good fishing. Balanced leeches continue to be the best choice here. Chironomids and Callibaetis and Damsel Nymphs are smart moves for the Haystack menu too.
Prineville Reservoir
The reservoir is 100 percent full and water clarity is reduced from spring runoff. Anglers report fair fishing for trout, crappie and bass.
Pine Hollow Reservoir
Pine Hollow Reservoir was stocked on April 21 with 3,360 legal size trout and 72 brood trout. Warm water species starting to bite.
Imnaha River
Trout and whitefish are biting well, and should continue through the spring. Although spring Chinook have started to arrive on the mainstem Columbia River, not enough fish have begun to make their way upstream to know whether a salmon fishing season on the Imnaha River can be opened this year. However, we will be monitoring returns closely over the coming weeks.
Umatilla River
Spring Chinook are starting to push into the Umatilla River. Anglers have found success float fishing with eggs on the lower river. As a reminder, hatchery steelhead retention Closed May 1 and spring Chinook retention opened April 16th.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
80-degree weather until Sunday is forecast in the Rogue Valley, causing anglers to take a break from planting the garden to getting out on the rivers, lakes, and ocean for some fishing time. The ocean should be good to get out for halibut, ling cod, and rockfish. Also, don’t forget the coastal lakes that have been stocked and are in prime shape for fishing. Inland, well, even though there’s spring Chinook all through the Rogue River, the best bet there would be either the lower end below Agness, or the upper section above Shady Cove. Trout are biting well, especially at Lost Creek, Fish Lake, Applegate, and Galesville. The bass and panfish bite has taken off with the warm weather, and Lake Selmac has some whoppers in it!
After a nice, long spell of decent weather, the weekend forecast isn’t looking so great. 😏Cooler temps 20+ degrees below recent days with rain and windy conditions will be in store for much of this SW Oregon area. Ocean goers should have Friday to get out for some good near-shore ling cod and rock fish action. The Rogue River is still producing some decent Springer catches on the lower, with the upper section seeing more fish being caught. Winter steelhead are still available in the mid and upper sections. The main Umpqua is starting to see the shad run, and along with the lower Coquille, the main Ump is producing some good striper action. As for the lakes, well, it’s that time when most coastal and inland lakes have been stocked with trout and are fishing well. The bass and panfish bite has also picked up, leaving many options for anglers.
Unfortunately, the ocean is looking to be off for the weekend, but Friday is looking good. Blustery weather is expected Saturday into Sunday at least will keep boats off until at least early next week. Halibut season opened May 1st, during which 2 halli’s can be kept. Near-shore big ling cod are biting as well, but all will be on hold until next week unless you’re fortunate to get out Friday 🤞
Spring Chinook catches on the Lower Rogue River have been fair to good prior to increased river flow from the increased dam release starting Monday. The increased flow tends to get the fish from holding lower in the river to feeling the “need to breed” and scream upriver, causing a decrease in the bite. The upper Rogue is still holding some winter steelhead, 19 Springers have been finally counted, causing increased angler pressure for them here. Fly fishing up at the Holy Water has been good for steelhead, with the Mayfly hatch helping out.
The mid-section has also seen some more Chinook caught. Most have been from Gold Hill on down to Hog Creek. However, keep in mind that the current increase in flow won’t keep fish holding very long in one place as they migrate upriver. There is a decent amount of winter steelhead around, of which both boaters and bank anglers have hooked into some in the mid-20+ inchers. Boaters working plugs have caught both salmon and steelhead in one day!
The lakes have been stocked with trout at least once already. The warmer weather has gotten the bass and panfish to bite on a regular basis now. Best bets are Lost Creek, Applegate, Fish, Agate, Selmac, and Galesville lakes. There should be plenty of fish and bank access if you don’t have a boat.
Steelhead on the North Umpqua has been slow to fair. Stripper anglers down at the lower main Ump are catching some nice ones, and reports of shad are coming in as well. The South Fork is closed now.
Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.