Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
With the mainstem Columbia now closed (again) to spring Chinook, anglers above Longview have little to crow about for the near future. Downstream of Longview, summer steelhead destined for SW Washington systems should provide some sport, into about mid-July, once they start running in better numbers. Until then, metro anglers will focus on other opportunities in the Willamette Valley and along the north and central coast.
That said, the Willamette is still putting out fair catches of spring Chinook, but early risers are the winners when the bite is on. It’ll remain hit-or-miss for a while longer, but more springers will show up for anglers to wrestle well into July. The head of the channel near St. Johns and Kelly Point Park for trollers will be the places to put in some effort in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, although Chinook fishing is tough in the Oregon City area, it’s game on for shad anglers as the run is coming in strong here. Shad seem to respond to small spinners and spoons best under sunny skies, but there’s plenty to go around for those that wish a good sport. Shad can also be had near Bonneville Dam, but that run peaks around the 10th of June, but is ramping up right now.
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto (from last week)
Spring Chinook moving into upper Willamette systems, steelhead coming in, too. Spring trout fishing boosted by heavy stockings. Warm water species biting in local lakes.
Best bets this weekend
Spring Chinook are now in all the upper Willamette systems in good numbers.
River system trout are becoming more active, good hatches increasing.
Trout lakes fishing very well.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting in warm water lakes.
Panfish are beginning to feed hard as they enter the spring spawn.
Willamette Falls fish counts
As of Tuesday, May 18th, total spring Chinook counts are rising strongly, with a total of 14,000 plus springers having crossed the falls. Daily counts have surged, following reports that the springer fishing in the lower Willamette has finally picked up quite a bit.
Over 10,000 steelhead have crossed the falls, and over 7,000 of those have been clipped summer fish. Numbers across the falls are better than they were last year this time. Will we see a better summer run this year?
You can check the Willamette Falls fish counts here. You can check the Willamette River Gauge at Salem here.
Trout stocking
Drought conditions are already impacting Oregon waterways. The Trout Stocking Schedule is subject to change. Check the field notes below or contact the local ODFW office for questions about a specific area.
Scheduled to be stocked May 4-29:
Alton Baker Canal, Blue River, Breitenbush R, Carmen Res, Clear Lake, Detroit Res, EE Wilson Pond, Fall Creek (Willamette River), Foster Res, Green Peter Res, Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River 1 and 2 (Above and Below Leaburg Dam), Progress Lake, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek, Santiam R, N Fork 2, Silver Creek Res, Small Fry Lake, Smith R Res, Sunnyside Park Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Turner Lake, Waverly Lake, Willamette River, coast fork.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
South Fork Santiam River
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs, with current flows at 1480cfs, following a series of changes in flow. These changes may have led to slower action for spring Chinook, when the river is changing continuously, it can affect the fishing. Fishing guide Matt Halseth of Matt Halseth Guide Service has been fishing the South Fork for a couple weeks, and he reports that it has been typical springer fishing, with good days and poor days mixed in.
He reported getting 4 springers for his clients the day before. He said the fish are spread throughout the river up to Mill City. He has been getting the fish by fishing salmon eggs or hardware. He fishes the eggs mostly below a bobber, but also does some bobber-dogging.
He reports that the fish are nice, and in great shape. He also said they were now getting some summer steelhead, and the numbers of steelhead are climbing. “I have already caught more steelhead this year than I did all of last year,” said Halseth. He is hopeful for a better steelhead year.
You can check the river gage at Waterloo here.
North Fork Santiam River
The river is currently running at 1360cfs, and is expected to stay at that level all week. This system is also seeing a good return of both summer steelhead and spring Chinook. The schools are moving up slowly, but there have been some good days when the springers want to bite. Salmon eggs and hardware are both effective, and the fish are now staging in the many deep holes of the river, from the upper sections down to the mouth. Anglers are getting them on salmon eggs and hardware.
You can check the gauge at Mahama here
Detroit Reservoir
Water levels are currently just below full pool and slowly rising. Mongold State Park boat ramps, the main boat ramp at Detroit Lake State Park, as well as Hoover and Kane’s Marina are all available. When the weather is nice, especially on weekends, the boat ramps can get crowded, so give yourself some extra time to launch.
Kokanee fishing continues to be rated as fair to good, and the fish are growing. They have still been holding fairly shallow, but the early warm temps and the sun this week could push the schools deeper. Trolling kokanee spinners tipped with corn and fished behind a dodger has been the go-to method.
Coast Fork Willamette River
Spring Chinook have moved into the coast fork, and summer steelhead are showing as well. The springers are taking salmon eggs fished below a bobber, while the summer steelhead are taking a wider variety of baits, including salmon eggs, sand shrimp, hardware, and beads.
The river was stocked the week of April 27th and will be stocked again the week of May 18th with 1,000 hatchery rainbow trout. Look for the trout to be looking up for caddis hatches, yellow mayflies, and a few stoneflies.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – With the summer steelhead return headed towards peak season, and spring Chinook not that far behind, Clackamas River anglers should begin to see more action in the coming weeks. As it stands for now, Dog Creek remains the top option for steelheaders, while spring Chinook seekers will still have to hunt and peck for success, no matter what time of year it is.
Creel data is being crunched at the time of this writing, so check back if statistics are important to you, as they are to me, but with relatively few anglers fishing the Clack for salmon or steelhead, it remains hard to gauge just how good or poor it is. Effort and interest is growing however.
Avid anglers Mike Roberson reports that what little action is happening on the Clackamas, is still coming from the Dog Creek area of the river. Also, it’s still an early bird special, but at least it’s summer steelhead showing in this fishery as winter runs are finally fading out.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares the following:
The Sandy River is running gin clear this week, with water levels at 8.76 feet and a temperature of 54.6 degrees. Conditions are holding well for late spring.
Fish have been showing throughout the entire system, from Cedar Creek down to the mouth. The Oxbow Park area has produced fair numbers, and Dodge Park continues to offer a mix of summer steelhead and spring chinook.
Boat and raft pressure from Oxbow downstream has been light. This weekend, however, expect significantly more foot traffic, swimmers, rafters, and tubers on the river as the crowds pick up.
Photo at top: Subscriber Aden Schroeder filed this report from his float on May 23 and 24. Pictured above is Aden with a nice fish he landed below the Troutdale Bridge on the 23rd.
Aden reported five boats on the water during his May 23 float. Fishing was slow overall, but his group managed two wild fish. No other boats reported catching fish that day or on May 24. Both fish came midafternoon on May 23, about 45 minutes apart. Sunday’s float was a skunk.
One notable update on the river: the drift boat that sank two weeks ago has been removed. A new sign has been posted directing rafters and boaters to stay right through that section.
A reminder to anyone floating the river: life jackets are required. If you do not have one, both state and county parks offer free loaner jackets for the day. Drop them off at your final destination when you are done.
Also note that both state and county parks require a daily parking pass. Make sure you have the right pass for the park you are using.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Spring Chinook are starting in on Tillamook Bay, but catches are still light although upper bay anglers did find a few earlier this week. The spring Chinook run here, like in many places, has shifted later into the season, likely a result of water temperatures warming earlier than historical records indicate.
Catchable numbers are available, but the best fishing is likely to take place around mid-June through the middle of July if history repeats itself.
Bank fishers may find some challenging opportunities for freshwater spring Chinook on Big and Gnat Creek, but so far this season, the fishing has been tough.
Meanwhile, offshore Chinook anglers produces some of the best coastal catches out of Garibaldi, although catch rates still only amounted to about 1 Chinook for every 3 boats. Action should pick up in the next 4 weeks however, but ocean Chinook catches, largely reliant on how California stocks are doing, depend on where the higest densities of baitfish are. Only time will tell whether this fishery will materialize on the north, central or south coast for the remainder of the summer season.
Rough seas kept many halibut and bottomfish anglers off the water, it’s those tricky spring trade winds that justifiably worry boaters. Winds will be inconsistent again this weekend, but maybe Tuesday of next week will offer up some opportunity.
Another set of razor clam tides should produce good catches along Clatsop Beaches this weekend.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Last Day Columbia Report, What’s Next.Unlock the simple bobber trick seasoned anglers use to dial in depth and hook more spring Chinook right now. Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – A fly-fishing double take! Dry‑fly halibut and wheat‑eating carp: two unbelievable but totally real fly‑fishing adventures you’ll want on your bucket list. Chinook Members can read Bill’s post HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- Salmon Trout Steelheader article of the week: A Steelheaders Time Machine by Bill Herzog. Bill covers the good old days and the gear we used to rely on for success. You can read his article HERE.
All the STS articles are located here.
Not a Chinook Member? Become a Member or Upgrade here.
Central-Eastern Oregon Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Lake fishing very good. Columbia walleye still biting, big bug hatches happening right now on rivers.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Hood River spring Chinook season is here, peak of the season will be late May – early June.
The salmon fly hatch on the lower Deschutes is underway! Great fishing and lots of anglers
Anglers report excellent early season fishing at Lava and Little Lava Lakes for large holdover trout. The Central Oregon zone stream opener was Friday May 22. This includes the following popular fisheries: the Metolius upstream of Allingham Bridge, Fall River below the Falls, the Deschutes from Little Lava Lake to Crane Prairie, and the Deschutes River Wickiup Dam tailwater. ODFW sampling indicates good numbers of large Brown Trout in the Wickiup Dam tailwater.
Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, Metolius youth and disabled fishing pond and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring angling opportunities.
North and South Twin Lakes were recently stocked in late April with both legal and trophy rainbow trout.
Anglers report excellent fishing for trout and kokanee at Paulina Lake. Kokanee at Paulina Lake are amongst the largest in Central Oregon this year averaging 13-14 inches. Recent ODFW sampling indicate good numbers of 17-22″ holdover rainbow trout at Antelope Flat Reservoir
The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
Fall River was recently stocked, and anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
Weather
The Bend area is expected to see dry conditions, with highs in the upper 60’s to around 80 degrees mid-week. Sunny, or partly cloudy skies will dominate.
Trout stocking
Stocked the weeks of
Scheduled to be stocked May 18- June 12:
Aldrich Ponds, Anson Wright Pond, Bull Prairie Res, Cutsforth Pond, Hog Creek Pond, Holliday Park Pond, Honeymoon Pond, Kinney Lake, Marr Pond, McNary Channel Ponds, Morgan Lake, Seventh St. Pond, Teepee Pond, Twin Ponds, Umatilla Forest Pond N and S, Victor Pond, Walla Walla Forest Pond N and S, Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Wildlife Pond (Weavers Pond), Wildcat Pond,
Columbia River walleye
Wendy Boyer at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus said the walleye bite has continued to be good, and with the warmer weather she said some of the schools are looking for deeper water. However, Boyer said her most recent trip saw the schools holding from 12 feet down to about 30 feet. The best bite is coming on the worm harnesses, which she said is the most effective for catching loads of eating-sized male walleye, which run form a pound up to 5 pounds. Fishing guide Buddy Dupell of Columbia River Fishing Adventures also reports excellent fishing for walleyes.
Lower Deschutes River
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that the Memorial Day weekend saw a lot of people, and lots of hatches. “Everything is going on right now,” said Hazel. “We have all kinds of bugs hatching, and it’s just been great dry fly fishing.”
She reported lots of mayfly hatches, and a lot of caddis hatches. “it’s just overall been really good.” She said there were a lot of people this past weekend, but it has quieted down now.
Crooked River
The Crooked is fishing well on small nymphs and scuds. Perdigons, Lightning Bugs, Zebra Midges, 2 Bit Hookers, Split Case PMD, Halls CDC Hare Ear, Frenchie and Caddis Pupa are super good nymphs and add some Renegades, Purple Haze and Comparaduns to the dry fly boxes, and tuck a few Griffiths Gnats in the box in case you get a proper midge hatch in the evening that the fish key on.
North and South Twin Lakes
These are good for tubes and wading access. Plenty of callibaetis hatching on both lakes, and damsel action and as always chironomids and leeches will produce, especially under an indicator. Beetles, Ants and Hippie Stompers are other smart dry fly choices. Sheep Creek Special, jig minnows, PT and Cates will get the bobber down.
Northeast Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing:
Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake.
Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught.
Some nice trout are being caught on Willow Creek Reservoir.
Spring Chinook are being caught on the lower Umatilla River.
Trout stocking
May 25- June 12:
Aldrich Pond, Anson Wright Pond, Bull Prairie Res, Cutsforth Pond, Roulet Pond, Wallowa Wildlife Pond (Weavers Pond), Hog Creek Pond, Holliday Park Pond, Honeymoon Pond, Hunter Pond (Starkey Forest Ponds), McNary Channels Ponds, Morgan Lake, Kinney Lake, Luger Pond, Marr Pond, Seventh St. Pond, Teepee Pond, Twin Ponds, Umapine Pond, Victor Pond, Walla Walla Forest Pond N and S, Wallowa Lake, Wildcat Pond.
Wallowa Lake
Kokanee fishing has been very good lately. Anglers are catching some large fish up to 5 lbs. Both jigging and trolling have been effective means of catching kokanee. Anglers can target rainbow trout near the head of the lake by the Wallowa River. Casting and retrieving nymphs or spinners can be effective. Some anglers have been catching lake trout by jigging large soft plastic baits. However, lake trout can be very finicky.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
The long Memorial Day weekend wasn’t spectacular for most anglers, but that’s no surprise with so many other activities competing for attention. We’re also in that natural transition period between spring Chinook, summer steelhead, and trout in the rivers — so the timing makes sense.
Rogue River: Spring Chinook have pushed upriver in force, with an impressive 1,192 new fish counted recently. Catches have slowed and the quality is fading week by week, but the river still offers solid opportunities. The first 11 summer steelhead have now been counted, and trout fishing is open, giving anglers more options. Fly anglers on the Holy Water are having a blast thanks to the active salmonfly hatch, with plenty of bent rods between the dam and the hatchery.
Rogue Bay: Fall Chinook typically start showing by the Fourth of July, sometimes earlier, so we’re not far off from that first exciting push.
Ocean: The ocean Chinook bite has been good when conditions allow. My buddy Kevin even hooked a fat 14‑pounder while reeling up from bottom fishing out of Depoe Bay last weekend — proof they’re out there. Unfortunately, wind conditions look unfavorable until early next week, so getting back out may require patience.
Umpqua System: Shad fishing remains strong in the lower and should improve further upriver, and striper catches have improved. Winchester Bay crabbing has been slow to fair for quality keepers inside the bay, but much better outside when boats can get out. Surf perch fishing is also picking up.
Lakes & Reservoirs: This is prime time for trout before lake levels drop and water temps climb. Many lakes have been freshly stocked, and conditions are excellent right now. Best bets: Lost Creek, Diamond, Fish, Howard Prairie, Hyatt, and Applegate. Lake Selmac’s bass bite has slowed with all the holiday activity, but it should rebound heading into the weekend.