Portland, Oregon Fishing Report – It’s peak season in the Portland/Metro area for a plethora of salmon, that aren’t necessarily biting all that well. None-the-less, there are salmon about everywhere in this region.
Peak migration is still underway for Chinook and coho on the mainstem Columbia. Although trollers are doing well in the Bonneville reach of the Columbia, the extensive reach from Troutdale to Kalama is pretty challenging fishing, despite good numbers of fish present. A better than expected return of Chinook enabled managers to liberalize opportunity however, go HERE to view the most recent press release on the extension.
Meanwhile, after an abysmal spring Chinook run, returning adult coho are making a mark on the Willamette River. Returns over Willamette Falls are headed for a record in recent history and because there is no biological history of wild coho above Willamette Falls, they are a bit of an invasive species. For that reason, anglers have consumptive access to the abundant returns, if they ever decide to go on the bite. Unfortunately, they are stubborn that way, but there will certainly be days where fishing will be good. Wild fish BELOW Willamette Falls must still be released.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River anglers have had a good early season, but the bite has tapered slightly as the big push of fish now have some time in freshwater, with everything under the sun already tossed at them. The fishing remains good however.
Fisherman’s Marine’s Mike Roberson reported, “The fishing is especially good upriver. It seems like a lot of the fish are smaller but the hatchery vs. wild ratio has been pretty good this year. Fish are spread out throughout the river.”
Mike is a proponent of twitching jigs and driftfishing beads, as are a lot of anglers that fish the Clackamas. No doubt that Eagle Creek is a strong option at this point.
The bottom line is, we’re entering peak season for coho and it looks to be another good year for anglers seeking success on the Clackamas. It seems the early fish are the better biters so now is the time to get out.
ODF&W put out this tip sheet for catching coho, you may find it helpful.
Noteworthy is the fact that as of the 15th of September, five times the number of early run coho have passed the North Fork facility as did in 2023. It appears a banner coho run is in the works.Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger reports – The river is still on the low side as we didn’t get enough rain to bring the river up to get the fish to move all the way to the hatchery. These fish will hold in the lower river in deep pools where they will stay until we get enough rain to cause them to move upstream.
This week we saw that a few coho had entered the lower river over the last couple of days. I have a friend that said he saw hundreds of coho moving past his house and they were moving upriver.
With the river being on the low side, it will cause the fish to hold up until they feel they can move upriver river for there are areas that are too low for the fish to move upstream. Fishing will only get better when we get some rain to move the fish.
When you do hook up, please be sure to make sure that it’s a hatchery fish before you drag it up on the bank, for we want to protect all wild fish.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – Following a fairly good few days in the Ghost Hole last week, Chinook catches have once again tapered off in the Tillamook district. Wild coho are still abundant, both inside and outside of Tillamook Bay, but only may be retained inside the bay entrance on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Seaweed has been an issue on this strong tide series. Mechanical harvest of oysters on Tillamook Bay isn’t helping the matter.
Nehalem Bay should also be producing good catches of fall Chinook but success has been limited. Coho are starting to show in good numbers, but like Tillamook Bay, wild coho may only be retained 2 days per week. It’s still a great opportunity however, and catches will only improve into October.
We’re in peak season for the Salmon and Nestucca Rivers but catches are less than impressive. None-the-less, fall Chinook are present and a few are being caught.
The Alsea River is slowly improving as well.
The bright spot, for several years running now, continues to be the Siletz River, where good numbers of Chinook are again entering the system. Casters working spinners and Spinfish near the mouth were scoring some fish this week, a good sign for things to come as it’s still early in the season here.
Although wild coho are not available in the ocean, catch and keep coho seasons are in play on nearly every major coastal estuary and lower tidewater section right now. Regulations vary by watershed so check regulations below for details by river system.
You can find updated coastal fall salmon regulations HERE.
The ocean looks promising for tuna, bottomfish, halibut and crab (many are still in a soft-shell state) come Sunday and early next week. Bay crabbing is slowly improving.
Find the complete report and forecast for Members in the Northwest Oregon section.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.