Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report – Despite not-so-exciting spring Chinook reports, the fishing, from a statistical standpoint, is pretty good, tracking ahead of many of the previous years for the same week. Peak spring Chinook season is upon us!
Catches in the Willamette are fairly consistent up and down the lower reach, with the Multnomah Channel still providing the best catches, but the middle and upper river around Oregon City is also yielding fair results given the stagnant water flow and conditions. That’s about to change for the better with the weekend wetter weather.
The predicted rise in the Willamette isn’t supposed to be significant, but should stimulate migration and motivation for spring Chinook in the mainstem Willamette. Trollers working the lower reaches, and backtrollers/backbouncers working the upper reach should be have fair to good opportunities over the next two weeks. The river is ideal for temperature and clarity but might color up a bit with the predicted rainfall.
Summer steelhead are showing in fair number in the basin as well, with fairly impressive catches for mostly boat anglers in the Oregon City area last week. Bank anglers struggle in the lower flows so hopefully the rain will improve prospects, but likely not by much.
Sturgeon fishing continues to improve after fish move back into the system following the mainstem Columbia smelt die-off that likely caused a mass exodus earlier this month. Shad have yet to show, but it likely won’t be long.
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s been a bit of down time for Clackamas River anglers. Between a winter steelhead run that’s done, and summer steelhead that have yet to peak, anglers struggled for success on the Clackamas last week. There are fish available however, and the weekend rain freshet will improve chances.
Steelhead should be spread throughout the system with fresh summer steelhead likely to be found from Carver to McIver Park. No sign of spring Chinook yet, it’s likely still about a month away.
Sandy River Fishing Report – From avid angler Jeff Stoeger, “I hope that you all have had a chance to get out and fish this past week for there is summer steelhead and springers in the river with downriver winter fish.
The current river condition is has the river running at 9 ft and and is forecasted to climb up to 10ft with the rain forecasted over the next 8 days.
I have heard of at least 6 springers hooked and landed in the lower river with a couple of them being hatchery fish. So far, the hatchery has 4 summer fish returned and the hatchery has released all the springer smolts.Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report – It’s trasition time for coastal fisheries. Winter steelhead are done, with some summer steelhead starting to show. Peak summer steelhead fishing is still several weeks away however, and so are spring Chinook.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility for either, with the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz systems the most likely to produce an early run summer steelhead, in that order, and the Trask River most likely to produce a spring Chinook. Tides are right for an upper Tillamook Bay spring Chinook to show, also slight, but possible given the historic run timing.
Ocean anglers weren’t disappointed if they made it out bottomfishing. Sea bass and lingcod action was good although lingcod success was sporadic by port. Garibaldi produced fair catches of both near Three Arch Rocks.
Not many have started pursuing ocean Chinook but some should be available.
The all-depth halibut season starts on May 1st and season structure and bag limits are the most liberal in recent memory. Check out your options HERE.
Members – read the latest and complete fishing report and forecast in the NW Oregon section of our site.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Last weekend provided anglers many options for some good Springtime fishing. Options for this weekend are still good, but not with as nice of weather conditions as they were.
The lower Rogue River saw some nice Springer catches but will decline a bit this weekend as the expected rain will increase flow a little. The mid Rogue Springer count at the hatchery saw a nice jump from 93 to 411 in a week! Anglers are targeting both winter steelhead and Springers with fair success. The Umpqua systems are pretty much over for steelhead now. Stripped bass on the Lower Umpqua and Coquille is improving while the Springer success has been poor so far.
The Ocean was also productive and will also be an option depending where and what day you go out. Lakes continue to fill with Lost Creek producing some nice trout catches. April so far has been April in that you don’t know what you’re gonna get from day to day. Weekend outlook might bring you showers, but there are many fishing options.
Rogue valley options are the Applegate, Lost Creek, and Lake Selmac for stocked trout (and bass at Selmac). Winter steelhead along with some Spring Chinook are scattered throughout the mid to upper stretches of the Rogue River and the road from Almeda Park on the mid-section is now open down to Grave Creek. Rainey Fall trail is still closed, however.
The ocean opportunity will be variable depending where and what day. Expect showers. Bay and ocean crabbing has been fair. Winchester Bay is seeing nice red fin perch catches. Jetty fishing might be a bit dicey this weekend.
Don’t forget the coastal lakes that have been stocked. April showers have filled them all and angler pressure has been low so far. Weekend weather might be a little damp with some showers.
The North and South forks of the Umpqua River are winding down for steelhead and should be fishable this weekend. Expect some weekend rain that will increase flow until early in the week. Bass fishing on the South is just starting and will get good as the weather gets warmer.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy!
Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
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.