Portland/Metro Fishing Report
With coho season now winding down, metro anglers are becoming more limited in their options for pursuing our fishy friends in the neighborhood.
Coho counts at Willamette Falls remain fairly robust with a couple hundred per day still ascending the falls. Anglers are still in pursuit upstream of Willamette Falls, but success rates are dropping, despite ideal water conditions.
It’ll be months before catchable numbers of winter steelhead show, but those interested in catch and release sturgeon fishing will only see opportunity grow in the winter months.
There are still some coho being caught on the mainstem Columbia downstream of Bonneville, but the November fishery will shift to the mouth of the Klickitat upstream of Bonneville Dam.
Find all our fishing reports and forecasts for Members on this page.
Clackamas and Sandy
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas coho anglers have not been all that active lately. With the bulk of the coho in Eagle Creek and now with the most recent high water event, awaiting entry into the federal facility (don’t they know there’s a shutdown going on?), anglers largely have access to mostly wild fish at this time of the season.
Wild fish are showing up in good numbers, however, giving anglers some pretty good catch-and-release options for quality fish this time of year.
Since effort has been light, so has catch. And just because the waters have cooled and more aggressive wild fish have moved into the system, it doesn’t mean freshwater coho are all that much easier to catch.
Anglers are still in pursuit of these coho around the mouth of Eagle Creek, and near Dog Creek as well. Catches have been fair at best.
Counts at the NF Facility are still good, although about 2,500 adults short of last year’s awesome return. Still, 7,500 wild early-season coho by the end of October is still an impressive number, and late run fish are already ahead of last year’s early season start. For whatever reason, it seems late-season coho are surging stronger than I had anticipated this year.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares: Recent rainfall has provided excellent fishing opportunities along the river. According to the hatchery, nearly 680 coho have arrived, and the river has been productive from the hatchery all the way to the mouth.
The current river level stands at 8.57 feet, with water temperatures at 45.8 degrees. Although the river had some color earlier, conditions are expected to shift to the desirable “steelhead green” later in the week.
With fresh fish anticipated, persistence will pay off whether you’re fishing from the bank or floating the river. Remember, parking fees are now in effect at Lewis and Clark Park and Dabney, so consider purchasing an annual pass to save money and avoid tickets.
Tight lines to all, and best of luck in the coming week!
Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report
District rivers saw their first significant river rise, leading tidewater kegged Chinook and coho upstream when they had the opportunity earlier this week.
While all coastal systems had the opportunity to produce fair to good Chinook catches, many of the north and central rivers have had staging Chinook for many weeks, making them poor table fare for this late in the season.
The Wilson and Kilchis systems are good late season options, but adult returns in recent years have been far from impressive. None-the-less, these two systems should have the highest quality Chinook available to anglers for the month of November.
The Trask, Nestucca and Alsea all saw fair catches of Chinook (and some coho for release) earlier this week, with the Trask likely producing some of the better catches of the three.
Siletz River tidewater anglers saw a drastic downturn in their fishery in recent days. The system had another good return of Chinook this season, eager to head upstream to make babies. Driftboaters saw good action for a mixed bag of fresh and colored up Chinook, with catches likely to continue to be fair into next week.
Salmon River anglers are working over mostly spent fish.
Ocean opportunity is waning; crabbing closed on October 15th, Chinook and halibut closes on October 31st. Offshore weather hasn’t done much for anglers either, and the bag limit for rockfish is now 3 per day.
Mussel harvesting is now open from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Marine biotoxin levels in this area tested below the alert level.
People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest any shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.
Find the complete report and forecast for Members in the Northwest Oregon section.
| Much more on the site for Chinook Members:Buzz Ramsey’s latest post (video) – Bobber Fishing for Chinook.This Week with Buzz dives into bobber fishing for Chinook with tactical insights and scenic river action—perfect for anglers chasing fall kings. Chinook Members can see his post HERE. Bill Monroe’s latest post – Did you catch what’s coming to dinner? From bloody tuna battles off Ilwaco to surprise marlin sightings and a skipjack speared in Sitka harbor, this wild season of Pacific fishing is one you won’t believe until you read it. Chinook Members can see his post HERE. You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.The Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week: RAINY DAY FISHING, by Lucas Holmgren.” Think rainy days ruin fishing? Discover why wet weather might just be your secret weapon for landing trophy steelhead. Chinook Members can see this post HERE. All the STS articles are located here.Not a Chinook Member? Become a Member or Upgrade here. Members head to the Member’s Landing Page to find everything you have access to. |
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Klickitat mouth still great for late run coho. Deschutes steelhead and trout good. Many trout lakes close after Friday.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Steelhead anglers have been doing well on the lower Deschutes all the way up to Mecca Flat
Following recent stockings anglers report good fishing on the Fall River.
Fall is great time to fish the Crooked and Metolius Rivers. (see below)
Tomorrow is the final day for anglers to enjoy Crane Prairie, the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook, the Metolius River above Allingham Bridge, Odell, and Wickiup before seasonal closures go into effect.
Anglers report excellent fall brown trout fishing at East and Paulina Lakes. The road to Newberry National Monument typically closes in mid-November.
Anglers report good fall trout fishing in Lava and Little Lava lakes.
The Metolius and Shevlin youth and disabled angling ponds were recently stocked with rainbow trout, this will be the final stocking of the year.
Trout stocking
Scheduled to be stocked the week of Oct 27-31:
Pine Hollow Reservoir, Taylor Lake.
Stocking will resume March 16, 2026.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Columbia River
The mouth of the Klickitat is still fishing very well. Buddy Dupell of Columbia River Fishing Adventures reports that he has been having one of the best years ever out there, and he said the other anglers are also scoring. While most anglers are trolling 360 flashers ahead of spinners or plug-cut type lures, some folks are jigging and also hovering with salmon eggs. About 25 boats are gathering there on most days. The morning is when the bite is best, and most anglers are quitting at about 11 am, and that with most anglers getting limits.
Lower Deschutes River
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that the fishing is holding up well, and in some cases improving. “People are still getting some nice steelhead around here,” she said. “There has been less traffic. Some people are kind of trying out other places.” It has been cloudy recently, and that has kept the steelhead looking to the surface. Spey anglers are still swinging hare-wing patterns in size 5 or 7 fished with a floating line.
Trout fishing is heating up as the fish go on the feed ahead of winter. Nymphing with caddis patterns has been the go-to, since the surface hatches in the lower river are winding down.
Metolius River
The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout, and bull trout. Kokanee are spawning and anglers report good trout fishing with egg patterns. Anglers should also keep an eye for Chinook Salmon reds in the Camp Sherman area and avoid disturbing spawning sites. Nymphing with golden stonefly and pale morning dun nymphs has been effective for trout and streamers are always a good bet for bull trout. Anglers should keep an eye out for afternoon stonefly and caddis hatches.
Crooked River
Anglers report excellent fall fishing for trout and whitefish. Nymphing with fall mayfly hatch patterns and midges has been productive. Crooked River anglers may encounter bull trout now that there is volitional passage at Opal Springs. Anglers who catch a bull trout should release it unharmed and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov.
Lake Reports
Hosmer Lake
There have been positive reports on fly angling for Brook and Rainbow Trout. With cooler water temperatures there are fewer floaters on Hosmer Lake and fish are spread out using the channel and lower lake. Hosmer was recently stocked with rainbow trout. Callibaetis and damsels are an integral part of the diet at Hosmer, and we recommend anglers stock their fly boxes accordingly. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks.
Ochoco Reservoir
The reservoir is 56 percent full. Anglers report excellent crappie and smallmouth bass fishing and abundant fish. Anglers should be aware that a cyanobacteria advisory was recently lifted for Ochoco Reservoir September 30th.
Eastern Oregon
Umatilla River
Fishing has been good on the lower Umatilla River. While Chinook retention recently closed below Three Mile Falls Dam, coho and steelhead are being caught in good numbers. Anglers can expect to find fish throughout the river, although the best action will likely continue to occur below Three Mile Falls Dam.
Targeting bull trout is NOT allowed in the Umatilla River.
Willow Creek Reservoir
Fishing on Willow Creek Reservoir has been good lately. Anglers have been catching a mix of largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch with some being quality sized. As a reminder, there is a 25 fish limit for crappie on Willow Creek Reservoir.
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
A generous shot of rain last weekend gave the Chetco River a welcome boost, encouraging fall Chinook to push upriver. Anxious anglers were quick to take advantage of the early-week bite, and they’d be wise to stay ready again later next week with more rain in the forecast. On the Rogue, summer steelhead catches have improved in the middle and upper sections, while the lower river has quieted down for both Chinook and coho. The Elk and Sixes Rivers also responded to the rain, moving some fish upstream, but flows have since dropped back to low and clear. As for the Coos, Coquille, and Umpqua systems, there’s not much to report at the moment. Still, the crisp fall weather is holding, and a few lakes are offering decent trout opportunities for those looking to stay on the water.
The Chetco estuary Chinook have moved upriver. More rain in the forecast next week (starting Tuesday) should provide good opportunity for both bank and boat anglers as the bobber rule expires on the 4th. Flow should be ample, if not too much at first, so be on the ready for some good action.
The Rogue Bay is over for Chinook, but coho anglers are tossing spinners around Huntly Park and Lobster Creek with some success.
The mid-section of the Rogue has been closed for Fall Chinook above Hog Creek. A few anglers are still trying for them around Grave Creek, hoping some new fish flushed up from last week’s rain. Summer steelhead on the mid and upper sections of the Rogue River have improved from fair to good. Some anglers are targeting coho with fair to good success, twitching jigs. A few half-pounders are being taken and will hopefully improve with more rain. Leaves are an issue now.
The Elk and Sixes rivers are also on the verge of starting Chinook season. Forecasted rain next week should make them fishable later next week.
The main Umpqua is now closed for Chinook. However, there are lots of bass to catch on the main and both forks of the Ump.
Lost Creek Lake is a good bet for some good trout fishing. Bass fishing at Selmac is another choice to wet a line.
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.