Oregon fishing report
Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report
It’s been a quiet week for metro anglers due to the recent high water event. That’s about to change however, as water levels are moderating, and turbid waters are starting to clear.
The mainstem Columbia upstream of the mouth of the Willamette is running clear, but there aren’t many upper Columbia bound springers in that reach of river. The bulk of the residing springers in the Columbia are bound for the Willamette, making the reach downstream of St. Helens the best idea, and prospects improve after the weekend.
Willamette River springer anglers were pushed off of the muddy mainstem, but there’s been a hogline of hopeful boats across the mouth of the Clackamas, where a few fish were reported. The Willamette itelf should start fishing again this weekend.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Clackamas River anglers have only recently been back out after them following a Willamette Valley high water event. Reports have been sparse, but the water is still a bit high to expect any meaningful results. It’s also getting a bit late in the season to have high expectations for a bunch of hatchery fish.
Dog Creek will become the focal point for anglers for the near future, where bank anglers will have their way with anxious adults waiting to enter the facility. It’ll largely be a wild fish show for anglers still plying the Clackamas, but the action can be great with very little pressure for those willing to participate.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares: The lower Sandy was on the drop at the time of this report, running at 10.71 feet with a water temperature of 45.67 degrees. The water was off color.
Boat pressure was fairly light, with just a few sleds working the lower river. At Dabney ramp, there were four rigs floating from Oxbow down.
The hatchery was spawning fish as of this report. As of that day, 328 hatchery fish had returned, and the hatchery had also received its quota of broodstock fish.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Steelheaders had to wait for a 2nd high water peak before flows started dropping again but by early in the week, small streams were fishing well.
The NF Nehalem hatchery reported good water conditions, light fishing pressure and no fish on Wednesday. There are a few boats floating down from the hatchery however and it’s likely they came across some biters of the broodstock or wild kind. The Necanicum likely also fished well for nates early in the week.
On Tuesday, pro guide Rob Gerlitz (503-812-4950) reported the day on the Wilson as a “bloodbath,” with just the right water conditions for a float from Mills Bridge to Sollie Smith. He’s reported the action has slowed since however. Kind of to be expected as we get this late into the season.
The Trask and Siletz also had a shot of fish, mostly wild, for anglers to take advantage of, some of the season’s late-run, which will actually last into early April. I don’t think we’ll see strong mid-April returns on a year where the overall run would be classified as mediocre.
There were a few positive reports from sport anglers targeting ocean Chinook out of Newport early this week. One group caught 4 reporting that they were in the 10 lb. range, but coupled with a nice grade of lingcod and it’s a really good day.
Yes, ocean Chinook is open and apparently, pretty good! Ocean crabbing is slow however.
Much more on our site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – We Caught Olympic Peninsula Steelhead. A slow start turned into a steelhead frenzy on the OP, with our crew hooking 25 fish in just two and a half days. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Gotta love a fish that sings the blues! A sudden burst of neon‑blue water and fast limits out of Yaquina Bay has anglers racing to the coast to catch the short‑lived herring spawn spectacle. ALL readers have access to this post this week HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- The article of the week: How to Tie Yarnies by Dave Kilhefner. Unlock the secrets to consistently hooking steelhead with the proven jig tactics veteran anglers swear by. You can find the article 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
Columbia walleye bite good, spring rivers fishing well for trout. Kokes in Lake Billy Chinook excellent.
Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm is fishing well with bull trout up to 31″ being caught.
The Crooked River is reportedly fishing excellent, rated best bet.
The Metolius River continues to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities.
Anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack and Ochoco Reservoirs, now with surplus brood fish being stocked.
Walleye biting well in the Columbia River, rated very good.
Trout stocking
Excess brood stock trout were recently released in Taylor Lake and Pine Hollow, and Haystack Reservoirs.
Stocked the week of March 16-20:
Rock Creek Res, Taylor Lake, Bikini Pond, Pine Hollow Res, Shevlin Pond.
Scheduled to be stocked the week of March 23-27:
Pine Nursery Pond, Prineville Fishing Pond.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Weather
The Bend area is expected to have spring-like weather this weekend and early next week, with partly cloudy skies and highs to the lower 60’s. Then the weather cools off by mid-week, with highs in the 40’s and overnight lows freezing. The weather will start to turn better by the end of the week.
Columbia River
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that the walleye fishing continues to be very good, with anglers finding the fish in a broad range of depths. They can now be found from 30 to 90 feet of water, over rocky reefs and gravel areas. Some large females continue to show in the catch. Remember, a 20-plus-pound walleye was caught in the McNary Pool, and a 17-pound walleye and other big ones have been taken in the lower pools. Bottom walkers and deep-diving plugs have been very effective. Jigging can also bring action in the shallower areas, about 30 feet.
Lower Deschutes River
The Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that the White River has blown out big time. The White is chocolate milk and flowing at 2000 CFS through Tygh Valley. The Deschutes above the White River is absolutely fine, so stay above the White when you come to Maupin.
Flows are stable, and the water has been very clear and very blue for this time of year. The river is open only in the area around Maupin and downstream to the mouth. Any part of the river that shares a boundary with the Warm Springs Indian Reservation (well above the locked gate) is closed to fishing until the third weekend in April. That means that Warm Springs, Trout Creek, and South Junction access points are closed to fishing right now.
Middle Deschutes River
The river is running very high, with upriver releases charging the flows, and with the canals closed, wading is difficult at best. Care is needed to wade safely, and the high water poses some fishing issues. The trout are still there, and need to feed, so there are possibilities for the careful angler.
Metolius River
Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that the Metolius is one of the best places to fish in March, with many good stretches to apply your multiple skills and techniques, including streamers, indicators, euro nymphing, and dry fly fishing. The 1st three techniques will certainly be the most consistent, and dry fly action is the ultimate gift for those of us in the right place at the right time.
Lake Billy Chinook
The Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook reopened March 1, 2026. Anglers report good fishing for bull trout with fish up to 31″. Anglers are reporting excellent kokanee fishing with nice-sized fish being landed on the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Arms. Kokanee have been remaining deep in the water column over the last few weeks. Harvest is limited to 1 bull trout over 24 inches under the daily trout limit. No bag or size limits on brown trout and bass.
Blitzen River
The Blitzen River is currently flowing around 90cfs and water temperatures are in the low 30s. Redband densities are low, but there are some quality fish out there right now. Fly fishing around Page Springs has been good this winter. If you are looking for some solitude, the Blitzen will not disappoint.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
“March Madness” is starting to take on a new meaning for anglers—little to no rain so far this month! Don’t get me wrong, warm weather is nice, but 80 degrees and bone‑dry conditions in March are definitely not the norm. Coastal rivers are now low, clear, and essentially a bank‑angler‑only game. The Chetco, Elk, and Sixes fall into that category, and if you know a few good bank spots, you might scratch out a fish, but expectations should stay modest.
The Rogue and Umpqua systems are my best bets for the weekend. A few more spring Chinook have been caught on the lower Rogue, which has naturally bumped up angler pressure. The mid to upper Rogue is also low and clear, but winter steelhead are spread throughout in decent numbers and should provide a good opportunity. Anglers on both the main and North Umpqua have been hooking some nice winter steelhead as well, and striped bass action is picking up on the lower main Umpqua.
With the rivers dropping and the weather warming, this is also a great time to shift gears and enjoy some early spring trout fishing. Many lakes and ponds have been stocked, and my top picks right now would be Lost Creek, Lake Selmac, and even Diamond Lake for those looking to take advantage of the nice weekend ahead.
Unfortunately, the ocean looks to be off‑limits for most of the weekend, with Friday offering the only real window to chase salmon or rockfish. The March 15th salmon opener has been productive so far, with good numbers of quality fish coming into Southern Oregon ports.
The weather looks warm and pleasant, so wherever you decide to fish, get out and enjoy it while this stretch lasts.