Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
With both spring Chinook and the dogwoods in full bloom, the flowers are more reliable than the fishing, this week anyway.
After a decent week previous, middle and upper river trollers found challenging catch rates for much of the week. The exception was the lower Multnomah Channel on Wednesday, where both guides and anglers did exceptional on bait and spinnes. Another slug of Willamette bound springers was realized in the mainstem Columbia River test net fishery on Monday of this week.
Subscribers, be sure to study the indicators for another such opportunity in the paid section in the Willamette and Columbia sections.
Shad fishing is likely to pick up really soon, now that the Willamette is hovering at 62° and climbing.
The Columbia remains closed but springers are pouring over Bonneville Dam, with peak passage in the very near future, if it hasn’t already happened. Over 6,000 adults bypassed Bonneville a week ago.
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Spring trout stockings pick up big time in lakes, rivers. Summer steelhead, spring Chinook showing in the upper Willamette systems. Warm water species biting in local lakes.
Best bets this weekend
Summer steelhead and spring Chinook are beginning to enter the upper Willamette systems. Spring Chinook fishing in the lower river has finally improved, with lots of fish heading upriver.
River system trout are becoming more active, good hatches increasing, lots of stockings.
Trout lake stockings picking up big time.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting in warm water lakes.
Panfish are beginning to feed hard ahead of the spring spawn.
Upper Willamette Valley Weather
The upper Willamette Valley is expected to remain dry, with daily highs in the upper 70’s this weekend and through the full week. Partly cloudy skies and sunny weather will dominate.
Willamette Falls fish counts
As of Tuesday, May 5th, total spring Chinook counts are rising strongly, with a total of 6,106 having crossed the falls. Daily counts have surged, following reports that the spring fishing in the lower Willamette has finally picked up quite a bit, with over 800 having crossed the falls last Sunday. The salmon fishing in the lower river was very slow until recently.
Over 9,000 steelhead have crossed the falls, but only about 2,000 of those are clipped summer steelhead. Still, numbers across the falls are better than they were last eyaer 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 3-22:
McKenzie River 1 and 2 (Above and Below Leaburg Dam), Blue River, Waverly Lake, Fall Creek (Willamette River), Green Peter Res, Sunnyside Park Pond, Foster Res, Junction City Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Leaburg Lake, Walter Wirth Lake, Timber Linn Lake, EE Wilson Pond, Salmon Creek, Detroit Res, Trillium Lake, Santiam R, N Fork 2, Carmen Res, Smith R Res, Silver Creek Res, Quartzville Creek, Willamette River, coast fork, Breitenbush R.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
North Fork Santiam River
The river is running at about 3.6 feet, or about 1800 CFS at the gauge at Mahama. Even though Chinook numbers over the dam are climbing, Mike Ferris of Fishermen Mike’s Guide Service reports that springer fishing is still slow on most portions of the North Fork. There have also been few summer steelhead caught as well. Anglers are reminded that they can now use bait, and if they want a springer, salmon eggs will be the best bet.
You can check the gauge at Mahama here
South Fork Santiam River
Fishing is generally best when flows are below 3,000cfs. Flows are currently at around 2,300cfs at the gage in Waterloo. A few Chinook and summer steelhead have started to enter the basin, and a few have made it all the way to the ladder below Foster Reservoir. More of both species are arriving every day. Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. The use of bait is now allowed through the end of October. Salmon eggs are a sure bet for the Chinook.
You can check the river gage at Waterloo here.
Detroit Reservoir
The reservoir is continuing to slowly fill, although no rain is expected to contribute more flow anytime soon. 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 plan ahead.
Kokanee fishing has been 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 may push the schools deeper. Trolling kokanee spinners tipped with corn and fished behind a dodger has been the go-to method.
Fern Ridge Reservoir
This 9,000-acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basin’s largest waterbody. Orchard Park boat ramp opened April 1, while the boat ramps at Richardson Park and Perkins Peninsula will open on May 13. For information regarding the lake and available boat ramps, contact the Lane County Parks Department at 541-682-2000.
Bass and crappie fishing is getting going and will peak this month and next. Look for crappie along the weedy edges on the south side of the reservoir. The south shore around Perkins Peninsula as well as along the face of the dam are also good spots.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Not much has changed on the Clackamas River, but fed up Willamette River spring Chinook anglers, and die-hard Clackamas River summer steelhead anglers are starting to get the itch.
With more ideal water conditions for Clackamas River anglers, interest is on the rise, especially for summer steelhead. Spring Chinook seekers have lost a certain amount of faith in Clackamas River success, especially this early in the season, when so many biters are still getting culled in the mainstem Willamette.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares the following: A couple of new hazards have appeared on the river over the last few days, so boaters should use extra caution. A drift boat flipped in the back channel near the old log jam. Two people and their dog made it safely to the bank, but anyone floating the river should wear a PFD. Apparently, gravity remains undefeated.
Another hazard was reported just upstream from the island at Camp Angelos. The Oregon State Marine Board posted information about that hazard yesterday afternoon, including photos showing the location.
The river is currently running at 9.05 feet, with a water temperature of 55.8 degrees. The river has great color and is gin clear.
We floated today and did not have any takers. There has been some reported action around Dodge, with a mix of summer steelhead and spring Chinook showing in the area.
There has not been a confirmed update on the number of summer steelhead returning to the hatchery. Hatchery staff said they expect to put the pins in to collect spring Chinook in late May or June.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
With salmon and steelhead season still in shoulder season, interest continues to be towards ocean opportunity, especially with the recent May 1st halibut opener.
Bottomfishing has been good and although the lingcod bite has tapered, rockfish action is picking up.
I fished with pro guide Mike Barksdale (503-939-7816) Today, May 7th out of Astoria, where not the best of seas put us about 20 miles offshore near the Astoria Canyon. It took a few drifts to get on top of them, but five of us managed our one-fish limits although the fish weren’t of exceptional grade.
Ocean catches for bottomfish coastwide remain consistent. This is what the ODF&W creel checkers reported from the central to north coast:
Port by port reports:
Ocean conditions kept anglers in port most of the week with only a few good days to fish.
Garibaldi: Anglers landed 3 rockfish on average, mostly black and yellowtail rockfishes. Lingcod landings were fair at 1 fish per angler.
Depoe Bay: Anglers landed about 2.75 rockfish, with a mix of black, canary, deacon, yellowtail and China rockfishes. Lingcod catches were slow with just under 0.5 fish per angler.
Newport: Anglers landed around 3.25 rockfish on average, mostly black rockfish, with a few canary rockfishes mixed in. Lingcod was slow at 0.5 fish per angler.
Halibut data isn’t readily available just yet, but catches by port have been predictable; Newport consistently rises to the top. Early reports are not making it sound like a robust start to the fishery, but as is always the case, some boats did better than others, with some guide boats coming in with 2 fish limits, but having to work pretty hard for them.
As far as salmon goes, anglers don’t have much in the way of opportunity in freshwater just yet but that will change in the coming weeks.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Last Day Columbia Report, What’s Next.A slow springer season turned into a last‑day Columbia adventure packed with big fish, tight friends, and a look at what’s coming next for anglers. Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – First, biggest, most memorable? They’re all blessings. Relive the unforgettable first catches and hard‑fought battles that prove every fish comes with a blessing. 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: Full Circle Alaskan Bucket List Trip by Paul Zlotek. Halibut, salmon and trout, oh my! See 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 (from last week)
Lake fishing taking off across central Oregon. Columbia walleye still biting very well. Big bug hatches coming to rivers soon.
Lake fishing Special
With all the central Oregon lakes opening up, this week we will ease off the rivers in order to take a good look at what these hot trout lakes have to offer. Special thanks to Jeff at the Fly Fishers Place for the fresh lake reports.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Lake fishing is taking off, with good action at Crane Prairie, Haystack, Ochoco, Hosmer, Lake Billy Chinook, and the Lava Lakes.
Caldera Lakes, East and Paulina, open now and fishing well.
Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring break angling opportunities.
The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
Deschutes River surface action heating up, spring rivers good, too
Anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
Seasonal Road closures
As of April 22nd, the Cascade Lakes Highway remains closed from Lava Lake to Dutchman Flat Snowpark near Mt. Bachelor. However, the Lava Lake Campground and boat launch remained closed and access to Lava Lake is limited to small craft, kayaks and float tubes at this time. Deschutes County is preparing for an estimated opening date of April 30th. Deschutes County is targeting an opening date of April 30th for the Paulina Lake Road (Forest Service Road 21). For additional information see the Deschutes County Road Department website: https://www.deschutes.org/road
Weather
Saturday is expected to have cloud cover all day-a good day to watch for hatches. The rest of the week will be in the 70’s, with sunny or partly cloudy skies. No rain expected.
Trout stocking
Stocked the weeks of
April 6-17: Fall River, Twin Lake S, Rock Creek Res, Twin Lake N, Baker Pond, Taylor Lake, Smock Prairie Res, Kingsley Res upper, Pine Hollow Res.
Scheduled to be stocked the week of April 20- May 8:
Shevlin Pond, Prineville Fishing Pond, Rock Creek Res, Pine Hollow Res, Middle Fork Pond- Hood River, Ochoco Res, Antelope Flat Res, Cottonwood Pit, Twin Lake N and S, Metolius Pond, Sprague Pit Pond, Laurance Lake, Walton Lake, Clear Lake, Century Gravel Pond.
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
Lake Reports
Paulina and East Lakes
On Wednesday 4/29/26, the Deschutes County Road Dept unlocked the gates to Paulina and East Lakes. Early season at Paulina Lake has often been best with 2 chironomids; a #18 olive, and #14 with a darker shade grey. Balanced Leeches in Vampire, Bruised with Orange Bead, Brown and Watermelon are great choices, and also stripping leeches on a full sinking line up to a Type 5, but type 3 or clear camo is your most likely sweet spot.
Trolling is also effective, especially with a Spinfish. Also, throwing spinners can also be effective.
East Lake will be an interesting opener since ice off occurred quite a while ago. Instead of H2O temps in the 30’s, as it opens up this week water temps are already in the 40’s and there should be good chironomid bites along the edges in less than 12 feet of depth. Balanced Leeches and also stripping Brown or Black Leeches on a Camo Intermediate is a great bet.
Spinners and trolled Spinfish should also work at East Lake.
Crane Prairie was very good this week after opener on Chironomids. Access with the new permanent dock at Crane Prairie is great! And also the Quinn River ramp (never a dock there) is open too.
Balanced Leeches, Damsel Nymphs and Balanced Minnows, plus Black Double Down CDC Nymphs and Red PT’s will be good choices this week.
Hosmer Lake has been accessed by a couple of people, but it is still snowy in the lot and not quite ready for prime time for the average angler going to the lake. Give it a week or so for more normal access and launch conditions. Chironomids and Callibaetis nymphs, Leeches and even some streamers like a Soccer Mom, Zonker and Sculpzilla.
Docks are in at Lava Lake but the gate is closed until the concessionaire is ready to open the camp ground on May 15th at Lava Lake.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Crane Prairie is currently 90% full. The reservoir reopened April 22, 2026. A mild winter has resulted in warmer than normal surface water temperatures and district staff anticipate active fish and a hot start to the season.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
It’s definitely that time of year when we shift from winter steelhead to spring Chinook and trout. While there are still a few bright winter steelhead hanging around the mid to upper Rogue, most anglers have turned their attention to spring Chinook. Springer catches have picked up this week on both the Rogue and the lower Umpqua, giving anglers a solid shot heading into the weekend.
Out on the ocean, conditions look favorable for a mixed‑bag adventure. Chinook, halibut, big lingcod, and plenty of rockfish are all on the menu, and this weekend should offer good opportunity for saltwater anglers.
For trout, just about every recently stocked lake is fishing well. My top weekend picks include: Lost Creek Lake Applegate Lake Fish Lake Hyatt Lake Diamond Lake And don’t overlook the stretch above Lost Creek on the Rogue — it’s an excellent cooler‑weather option and can offer some truly epic fly‑fishing this time of year.
If warmwater species are calling your name, Lake Selmac continues to produce big largemouth bass and has also been stocked with plenty of trout, making it a great all‑around choice. Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!