Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
While the Portland Harbor bite is still in play, action slowed a bunch from the previous week. Catch rates dropped off for spring Chinook, but trollers can bank on fair to good fishing for the next few weeks or longer, especially given the fact that the run is coming in better than expected.
Just keep hitting the river for the day break bite, knowing that the action is short lived although some fish may fall around tide change as well.
Kelley Point Park is becoming a better option, but be aware that you have to keep your gear free from moss/weed to maintain an effective troll.
Shad and sturgeon fishing is tapering so it won’t be long before all anglers will be seeking other options in the NW corner of the state, particularly in the salt.
It won’t be long until warmwater anglers take their sport more seriuosly, it’s picking up already.
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 and biting well.
Summer steelheading is rated as fair in the systems.
River trout are settling into summer patterns, crowds are thinning.
Trout lakes fishing very well.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting in warm water lakes.
Panfish are beginning to feed hard as they spawn.
Willamette Falls fish counts
Over 24,000 spring Chinook have crossed over the Willamette Falls, although crossings now seem to be slowing. However, there are still springers being caught in the lower Willamette, and some of those fish are heading upriver. Over 12,000 steelhead have crossed the falls, although 7,000 of those were unclipped winter steelhead. About 100 steelhead a day are crossing the falls.
Weather
The upper Willamette Valley near Eugene is expected to see the first true summer weather of the year, with highs in the upper 80’s to the mid 90’s for the weekend and into early next week. A cool-down is expected later in the week. There is no rain in the forecast.
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.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
To be stocked May 25-June 12:
Alton Baker Canal, Blue River, Blue River Res, Breitenbush River, Carmen Res, Detroit Res, Fall Creek (Willamette R), Junction City Pond, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie R-1 and 2 (Above and below Leaburg Dam), Quartzville Creek, Santiam River N Fk-2, Small Fry Lake, Smith River Res, Sunnyside Park Pond, Willamette River Coast Fork.
Dexter Pond road closure
No public access into the Dexter Ponds Hatchery at least through Summer 2026 due to construction. Please call the USACE Park Ranger Office at (541) 942-5631 with questions.
South Fork Santiam River
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs, and flows are currently at around 1,500 cfs at the gage in Waterloo. The 2026 Chinook run is arriving in good numbers now and can be found throughout the basin, with more arriving every day. 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 good. 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 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.
You can check the river gage at Waterloo here.
North Fork Santiam River
The river is currently running at 1300cfs, 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. There have been some good days lately when the springers want to bite. Salmon eggs and hardware have both been 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
Detroit Lake was stocked last week with 8,0000 trophy trout and will receive another 3,000 this week. Mike Ferris of Fishermen Mike’s Guide Service reports that his most recent outing to the lake produced a quick limit of trout up to 16 inches in length. As a reminder, anglers are allowed to keep up to five trout, with an additional ten kokanee. Anglers are also reporting a decent kokanee catch. Juvenile spring Chinook are also active this time of year, feeding and trying to figure out how to migrate downstream. Anglers need to be able to tell them apart from kokanee and release any Chinook unharmed.
McKenzie River
Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that they have been seeing their best days on the McKenzie on perdigons, baby got bead, tungsten leeches and swinging soft hackles and small streamers. If you see a hatch, it could be yellow mayflies #12-14, olive or amber caddis #12-16, stoneflies #6-12, drakes #8-10 but there has not been very good dry fly action lately.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Anglers are finding consistent fishing in just a few locations on the Clackamas River, and it won’t come as any surprise that it’s at Dog Creek. There remains a fair number of both spring Chinook and summer steelhead at the McIver Park destination, and of course you have to be there early to stake out a spot, and stand a reasonable chance at an opportunity or two.
Creel counts, although due, haven’t been published just yet, but it’s likely that a stronger contingency of summer steelehad has been hitting the bank in recent days. Boaters have a better chance at spring Chinook and the Clackamas has a good seeding of springers right now for those anglers to target.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger
Happy Father’s Day to everyone who celebrated this week.
The river dropped to 8.02 feet, with water temperature at 66.3 degrees.
Dabney Park is crowded daily and requires a parking permit, same as Lewis and Clark Park. Permits can be purchased by scanning the posted QR code. Glenn Otto Park also requires a parking permit, available as an hourly or daily pass.
Oxbow Park will close completely from September 8, 2026 through January 2027 for water pipe installation, with no access to any part of the park during that time. We called Camp Collins to ask about access at the bottom of the hill before the park entrance, but don’t have a confirmed answer yet.
If you’re floating from Oxbow downstream, expect 4 to 5 spots where you’ll need to get out of the boat or raft to drag over shallow bars.
Most summer steelhead are stacked up at Cedar Creek right now. Recent trips with Barry Buckland Guide Service have also produced some nice hatchery springers.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Tillamook Bay is in full swing although unlike most years, there was a slug of springers that ascended the Trask River several days ago, where hatchery hole anglers are yarding in a few nearly every day. Have you seen the hatchery hole cam yet? Check it out! At least you can see all the jumping (and not biting) fish working the hole all day long.
Upper Tillamook Bay has been producing some quality spring Chinook as evidenced by Dave Shuldes (above picture). Pro guide Greg Hublou (503-730-8268) confirms that it’s been a good week for upper bay trollers. Tides this week should keep ’em coming over the rail, both the last 1/2 of outgoing, and near high tide where herring becomes a good option.
The Trask River tidewater should also be holding some willing springers, with a few squirting upriver in the early morning hours to keep some fresh biters in the system.
The Nestucca should also have some fresh spring Chinook entering the system, with the upper tidewater reaches likely holding willing biters at the right time of the tide. Trollers working tidewater should also find fish, using 360° flashers and spinners or stuffer baits on the flood tide.
Summer steelhead catches are fair on the Wilson and Nestucca systems but the Siletz is likely to continue to produce the best catches for savvy anglers.
Ocean catches remain surprisingly slow for the conditions that exist offshore right now, but it’s likely to pick up. Astoria/Illwaco produced great catches of Chinook and some coho off of the Long Beach Peninsula on Thursday, and should hold up as long as the weather will. It’s due to turn around Sunday so it’s likely to be a busy weekend down there.
Estuary sturgeon catches are more challenging with the warming water temperatures. If you’re looking for sand shrimp, the preferred bait, call Big Game Fishing (971-286-8748) well in advance to put in your order. Supplies are limited.
Bottomfishing will continue to be a big hit while the ocean weather is workable. Garibaldi will remain a top port, but Depoe Bay and Newport will also produce good catches.
We’re already on the back side of the razor clam tide series, but with such a small swell, the digging should remain good through Saturday along Clatsop Beaches to the north.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – a video – Buzz describes his recent trout outing and subsequent success at East and Paulina Lakes. Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Ocean coho par’ deux: Kill the kicker – Discover why “killing the kicker” is the ultimate, action-packed secret to triggering furious ocean coho bites right now. 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: Spring Chinook Tips by JD Richey. JD has some great ideas to help you catch more spring Chinook. You can read his 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
Summer patterns define lake, river fishing. Columbia walleye just keep biting, shad, too. High elevation lakes, lowland lakes fishing very well.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Hike-in high country lakes offer fine fishing, less pressure.
Good reports of nymph fishing on the lower Deschutes
Anglers report excellent trout fishing opportunities at Lava and Little Lava Lakes
North and South Twin Lakes were stocked this week with trophy rainbow trout.
Anglers report smaller than average (12-16-in) but abundant rainbow trout and 15-in kokanee and good fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir.
Anglers report good trout fishing and excellent kokanee fishing at Paulina Lake. Kokanee at Paulina Lake is amongst the largest in Central Oregon this year averaging 13-14 inches.
Positive reports keep rolling in from East Lake with large numbers of rainbow trout in the 16-18-inch range, trophy brown trout over 24-inches, and kokanee 13-15-inches.
The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
Fall River was recently stocked, and anglers report good nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
Trout stocking
Stocked June 8-12:
Deer Lake, Fall River, Lava Lake- lower, Lost Lake, Olallie Lake, Shevlin Pond.
June 15-July 3:
Cultus Lake B, Deer Lake, Devils Lake, East Lake, Fall River, Metolius Pond, Olallie Lake, Paulina Lake, Shevlin Pond, Three Creeks Lake, Twin Lake N and S,
You can check the trout stocking schedule here.
Columbia River
Walleye
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus reports that the walleye bite is still going strong, and it does not seem to be slowing at all. The catch is mostly eating sized walleye between one and three pounds. The schools continue to hold from 12 to 30 feet. The best bite is still coming on the worm harnesses, which is the most effective method for summer walleyes.
Shad
As of Wednesday, 2,673,911 shad have crossed Bonneville Dam. The schools are now spread through the river and being caught as high up as Mcnary Dam. The run is peaking right now, but is still going very strong. Anglers are getting them on shad darts, Dick Nite Spoons, and small jigs.
Lower Deschutes River
The trout fishing is settling into summer patterns, according to Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin. It has been quite warm, with some high winds, but has cooled down, and Amy said the hatches that are coming off are mostly caddis, with some pale morning duns’ A few Blue Wing Olive are showing some surface action, mostly in the morning and evening on cloudy days. Anglers are mostly fishing deeper with nymphs, and streamers are getting action.
Gear anglers are getting the trout to attack small spinners. Small marabou jigs can also draw strikes.
Crooked River
The river is fishing quite well. Water levels came up 110 cfs this week, which is a big surprise seeing it at nearly 300 cfs now. There is very little dry fly action, but the nymph fishing is solid. Perdigons, frenchie, eggs, zebra midge, split case PMD, scuds and Ray Charles.
Lake Reports
Caldera Lakes
Paulina and East Lakes are both fishing well, according to Buzz Ramsey. He fished both lakes recently, and was rewarded with some very nice brown trout up to 26 inches, and multiple other trout. He also caught a lot of kokanee, both on spinners and on chironomids in #16 or 18 in red or black. He fished these by anchoring and fishing them with conventional gear, dropping them with lead weight, and not jigging them, just letting them sit. Other good offerings include trolling with the plastic, plug-cut lures.
Ochoco Reservoir
Ochoco Reservoir was stocked with broodstock rainbow trout over the winter and with legal-sized trout in April. Anglers report good trout fishing on the flats near the upper end of the lake and where Ochoco Creek enters the reservoir. Fishing close to shore and near the dam with PowerBait is also a proven technique.
Southeastern Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing
Catch and Release for Redband Rainbow Trout with no bait is now required through Ocotber 31 on all Upper Klamath Lake including Pelican Bay, Crystal Creek, Recreation Creek, Harriman Creek, Odessa Creek, Short Creek, Pelican Bay, Fourmile Creek, Thomason Creek, Fourmile Canal, and mouth of Williamson River.
Willow Valley Reservoir is good for largemouth bass
Black drake mayflies will be hatching in various rivers in the Klamath Basin.
Lake of the Woods, Miller Lake and Fourmile Lake will be fair for hatchery rainbow trout
The Wood River below Weed Road is fishing well for Brown Trout.
Nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
Perch fishing at Dog Lake has been good.
Cascade Ramp at Hyatt is open.
Deadhorse and Campbell Lakes have been producing a lot of good-sized holdover rainbow trout.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
With temperatures climbing and a classic Fourth of July weekend on tap, anglers looking to sneak in some fishing between BBQs and fireworks still have plenty of opportunities. Offshore ocean conditions, unfortunately, are shaping up windy and unfriendly for getting outside the bar.
But don’t write off the coast entirely — Charleston and Winchester Bay are both offering solid crabbing and surf perch action for those wanting saltwater without the rough seas. Inland, the heat is expected to push well into the 90s, which means the Rogue River will be best left to rafters and floaters. For anglers, the smart move is to head for higher elevation and cooler water.
Best Bets for Trout These lakes have been stocked multiple times and, with lower water levels, trout are concentrated and feeding well: Diamond Lake Lost Creek Lake Applegate Lake Hyatt Lake Howard Prairie Lake Fish Lake
All offer cooler conditions, good access, and reliable trout fishing for a quick holiday getaway. Whatever you choose — a coastal perch run, a cool mountain lake, or simply a day with family and fireworks — have a safe, enjoyable Independence Day weekend.
Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!