Oregon fishing report for April 12th
Portland/Metro Fishing Report
Mainstem Columbia River catches have been underwhelming, particularly in the metro area. So much so, that department biologists extended the fishery for another 3 days, starting on Saturday, April 11th – Monday, April 13th. Catches are still likely to be moderate at best, it’s just a bit early for peak returns, but water conditions are good for improved opportunity.
The lower river, downstream of Longview, will continue to produce the best catches.
Willamette River anglers are struggling for consistent success. Lower channel trollers are catching the most fish, but the Oregon City area is producing the best catch rates. Better fishing is likely to take place in the lower Multnomah Channel, especially with the 3-day hiatus of the mainstem Columbia fishery where the bulk of the biters were culled from.
The Willamette is warming quickly, and hardware could soon become a productive option for anglers in the Willamette. Trolling with 360° flashers and spinners is likely to start producing better catches, particularly in the Multnomah Channel and Portland Harbor as the season progresses.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Jeff is on vacation this week so here’s what we published last week:
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Water conditions have been good on the Clackamas River and although the bulk of Clackamas County anglers are more focused on a Willamette River spring Chinook, there are fair options still remaining on the lowly Clackamas.
For the most part, hatchery winter steelhead are over for Clackamas River anglers, with a few still being taken at Dog Creek as of late. It’s an early morning forray for those still fishing this spot, with sporadic results for fish that have been lingering for many weeks now. Anglers are still using bobbers and soft beads, worms and jigs to try and entice a biter, but it’s not always working, despite good water conditions to target these fish in.
The few boats still floating from McIver downstream are largely finding wild fish to exercise with, but most folks, as we mentioned before, are targeting a consumptive opportunity, especially since some of the better action has been taking place in the Oregon City reach.
Mike Roberson from Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City had this to report, “Seems like some fresh fish have moved into the river in the last few days. We’re getting reports from the mouth all the way up to Dog Creek and some very nice, bright chrome fish. Picture above is Bryce Stark, he fished the Clackamas a few days ago, “old school” side-drifting and it paid off as he landed 3 beautiful chrome bright fish, inlcuding this winter, estimated in the upper teens. Summer steelhead are starting to show and there was a rumor of a springer caught on the Clackamas as well.”
The upper sections of the Clackamas, from McIver to Barton, are producing the better catches but folks fishing the lower river are finding an occasional summer steelhead to wrestle with.
There’s nearly 2,000 adult winter steelhead over the NF facility at this point, that’s several hundred more than last year at this same time period.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shared last week: Wednesday brought a beautiful day on the Sandy, with periods of rain mixed with sun breaks through most of a float Jeff took. The day started slowly after the park opening was delayed, with Dabney and Lewis and Clark not opening until 8:30 a.m. after a call to state parks.
The lower section of the river was floated, and the river was rising throughout the day. Even with the increase in water, visibility remained good at roughly four to five feet.
Fishing pressure was light, with only three boats on the river for the entire day. That kept the lower stretch feeling open and quiet compared with the usual circus humans insist on creating whenever fish are involved.
The best area to focus on continues to be from Cedar Creek down to Dabney. There has also been good action in the Oxbow and Dodge Park areas, with fair to good numbers of both native and hatchery fish being encountered.
A few summer steelhead have also been caught, and anglers are still waiting to see the first springer photo. The hatchery has been recycling hatchery fish, and there are reportedly some very nice fish in the mix.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
North and central coast steelheaders are on the ropes, but another system headed that way during the middle of next week could be the season finale. Sometimes there’s a nice push of coastal steelhead in the middle of April, especially if the water conditions cooperate.
The catch is a mix of spent winters and a rare fresh fish, mostly winter steelhead but a rare summer fish as well. Some systems are now closed (as of April 1st) but the Wilson and Nestucca remain the best bet for hatchery fish, and the Nehalem and Trask, as well as the Siletz for wild ones.
It’ll be a few more months before spring Chinook start to show in earnest in the Tillamook region.
But offshore Chinook is open and the fishing isn’t terrible, especially the farther south you go. Newport is posting some Chinook catches but Brookings remains the top dog.
Bottomfishing remains a good option and although lingcod fishing has slowed somewhat, limits are still possible. Crabbing is picking up again after the spring clutch too.
A good set of razor clam tides is coming to town next week and digging should be good.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Buzz details his 2-day trip with guide Bob Rees on the lower Columbia River in pursuit of spring Chinook. See the YouTube video HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Dick Tracy, George Orwell, meet your great grandchild, eDNA! eDNA is turning yesterday’s science fiction into today’s surveillance reality, and the implications for our rivers and wildlife are bigger than Orwell ever imagined. 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: Mistakes to Avoid When Flyfishing for Steelhead by Armand Castagna. Captain Castagna details all the important details if you plan on pursuing steelhead on a fly. 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
Columbia walleye still biting very well. Spring rivers, Deschutes trout picking up. Lake Billy Chinook bull trout good, kokes excellent. Low snow pack means early access to some lakes.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Columbia River Walleye bite excellent near Rufus.
Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring break angling opportunities.
Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Haystack Reservoir, Ochoco Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond, in January and February.
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 and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities.
Deschutes River warming, more hatches turning on.
Low snowpack is allowing early access to locations that are typically inaccessible in spring including North Twin and South Twin Lakes, Davis Lake, Crescent Lake, as well as Sprague and Century Gravel Ponds.
Weather
The weather in the bend area is expected to turn cooler for the weekend, dropping from the 70’s to the 50’s with some rain and clouds this weekend. The week will remain cooler, with cloudy days and some sun mixed.
2026 Waterway Access Permit
A waterway access permit is required for all non-motorized boats (inc. Drift, raft, SUPs, inflatables, etc.). Access permits are available where hunting/fishing licenses are sold and online via ODFWs e-Licensing System and the Oregon State Marine Board websites.
Seasonal Road Closures
The road to Newberry National Monument accessing East and Paulina Lakes and the Cascade Lakes Highway closed on November 18. For additional information see the Deschutes County Road Department website: https://www.deschutes.org/road
Lower Deschutes River
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reports that trout anglers are doing well, and with the water temperature running about 3 to 5 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year, many hatches are coming off earlier. “We have some mayfly hatches, and March browns are out, and some good caddis hatches. With the warmer water we are expecting some of the bug hatches to happen earlier this year,” said Hazel. The hatches mostly come off good with cloud cover. When the fish are not at the surface, nymphing is working.
You can check the river gauge at Moody Rapids here.
Metolius River
Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters reports that so far the hatches have been Blue Wing Olives #18, Cinygmula #16, March Browns #14, October Caddis #8-10 (they are tapering down but usually keep going well enough until May in most years), Tan Caddis #16 and Grey Caddis #14-16 and Midges #20-22. There are a few flying Carpenter Ants along the river. We are all still expecting Pale Morning Duns to pop soon. “I thought it might happen early with the warmth we had,” reported Jeff, “then of course last week was quite cool for several days. Who knows for sure, but it could have delayed the PMD’s a bit, but in any case, it is pretty normal for them to be hatching well in April. As always, fish the cycle of every hatch, nymph, emergers (pupa as a caddis or midge), cripples, adults and spent egg layers.”
Crooked River
The Crooked River has had some slower days this week compared to how it’s been.
It is always one of the best streams in the region and the BWO hatches, along with midges, are good options.
Fall River
The Fall River is worth the trip and is good up at the Head Waters, through the Camp Ground, the Hatchery and the Tubes.
Southeastern Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing
Lake of the Woods was stocked with Trophy and Legal rainbow trout this week.
Try taking the kids to fish the Running Y Pond this week for hatchery Rainbow Trout, pumpkinseed and largemouth bass.
Best fishing for wild, native trout in the Klamath Basin will be the Klamath River.
The Upper Williamson River above Kirk Road Bridge is now open year-round. Access remains available.
Nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
Bank fishing for rainbow trout has been good at Ana Reservoir.
Owyhee River
Flows from the dam are around 23cfs. Anglers can check flows here.
Now that the water is cold and flows are low, smaller flies that imitate midges will probably be most effective. Nymphs and streamers can be productive between hatches. Casting spinners and crankbaits is also effective. During warmer days, we may start to see some mayfly hatches. Please avoid wading and fishing in gravely areas to protect buried eggs.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
April Showers… Finally?
After a dry start to spring, we’re finally looking at real moisture. Thunderstorms from Friday through Sunday are expected to drop much‑needed rain into our low rivers and lakes. If you plan to fish before the weather turns, bring rain gear and stay alert for lightning. Expect classic spring swings — pouring one minute, sunny the next. Expect greatly improved fishing conditions mid next week.
Ocean Report
The hottest action this week has been offshore. Chinook fishing out of Brookings and Winchester Bay has been solid for those trolling anchovies. Near‑shore lingcod and bottom fishers found plenty of big biters. Crabbing remains decent, with Winchester Bay leading the pack.
Rivers
Springers are trickling in, steelhead are still around. A few spring Chinook are being caught on the lower Rogue and main Umpqua. The first springer has been counted at Cole Rivers Hatchery, always a good sign. Winter steelhead numbers remain respectable.
Best Bet:
The mid‑Rogue continues to offer the strongest opportunity. Boaters running plugs or back‑bouncing roe have a chance to “double dip” for both steelhead and an early springer.
Lakes
Many lakes have already been stocked at least once, making them a great option during unsettled weather.
Top picks for the weekend: Lost Creek Applegate Galesville Fish Lake Selmac
Trout fishing should be steady across all of them.
Final Notes
We’re heading into a true spring pattern: thunder, heavy showers, sudden clearing, and everything in between. Be prepared, stay safe, and enjoy the long‑overdue rain — our rivers and lakes need it.
Be safe, be nice, and enjoy!