Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Willamette River spring Chinook catches remain good enough to still invest time from the head of the channel just downstream of St. Johns to the mouth at Kelley Point Park. Early mornings remain a must, but the fishery is simplistic, enabling anyone with a boat and a 360 flasher to “be in the game.”
This fishery should go on for another few weeks, but other Willamette River fisheries are slowing, shad and sturgeon in particular. The Willamette is gaining more traction for warmwater species such as bass and catfish. Be cautious about your consumption levels however, there are health warnings posted on the ODF&W web site.
Mainstem steelhead anglers will struggle upstream of Longview for a few more weeks. The summer steelhead regulations are complex so be sure to review them on the ODF&W website before going out.
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto
Spring Chinook strong in upper Willamette systems, steelhead coming in, too. Early summer 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 still 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.
- Detroit Reservoir will be stocked again this week about 7,000 trophy trout this week. Anglers are reporting decent kokanee catch.
Willamette Falls fish counts
As of Monday, July 6, 30,979 spring Chinook adults and 680 jacks have crossed over the Willamette Falls. They are reported to be in all the upper Willamette River tributaries. The steelhead count has now climbed to 15,112 adults, about half of which were wild winters.
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.
June 15- July 3: Alton Baker Canal, Blue River, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Carman Res, Detroit Res, Fall Creek (Willamette River), Green Peter Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River-1 & 2 (Below and above Leaburg Dam), Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek, Santiam River, N Fk-2, Smith River Res.
July 6-17:
Alton Baker Canal, Breitenbush River, Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie River 2 above Leaburg Dam, Quartzville Creek, Salmon Creek, Santiam River N Fk-2, Smith River Reservoir, Willamette River- Coast Fork,
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
North Santiam River
The North Fork Santiam is currently running at 1,460 cfs at the gage in Mehama. The Chinook continue to arrive at a good clip with several hundred crossing Willamette Falls each day. According to Fishing guide Mike Ferris of Fisherman Mike’s Guide service, The Chinook are biting very well. He said that on Monday, June 22nd, John Hercher, a fellow member of the Salem Steelheaders and his fishing buddy, drifted the Upper North Santiam with a guide from Packsaddle Park to Mehama and landed three nice Spring Chinook in the process. John said they hit the river early that day and the best bite was between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. The fish are reportedly taking salmon eggs, and salmon egg and sand shrimp combos.
You can check the gauge at Mehama here.
Detroit Reservoir
The reservoir will receive 6,900 trophy trout this week. Anglers are also reporting a decent kokanee catch. 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. Guide Ferris took a pair of youngster’s trout fishing at the lake recently. He filed this report:
“On Thursday, June 25th, I experienced a great day of “kid fishing” at Detroit Lake. My passengers, Samson and Jack had a wonderful time “catching” and landed ten nice Hatchery Rainbow Trout courtesy of some recent ODFW plantings.”
South Fork Santiam River
Flows are currently at around 1,100 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. The summer steelhead run is below average this year, but still worth pursuing. Ther Chinook are now spread through the entire system, 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 can be found 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.
You can check the river gage at Waterloo here.
McKenzie river
According to Jeff at The Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, The Mc Kenzie was good for thier guides this week. Depending on the day, various dry flies like chubbies, and McKenzie Caddis and running nymphs as a trailer have brought action. The guides have been using Walt’s Worms, baby got bead, frenchie, copper john, perdigons, leeches and caddis pupa.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – It’s all the same as far as Clackamas River fishing goes. More spring Chinook are entering the river, and action for both springers and summer steelhead remains best at McIver Park, near the Dog Creek hatchery. It’s still an early morning show, especially with the current weather pattern we’re experiencing right now. This is nothing new for anglers fishing the Clackamas, but with fair and warming weather on the horizon, the raft and innertube hatch will be on soon, if not already. That’ll take some of the downstream opportunity out of the picture for the forseeable future.
PGE’s Nick Ackerman gave a brief description of June’s returns: “The wild spring Chinook return has progressed steadily with an end-of-month run total of 806 adults. Our run prediction is currently at roughly 2,750 adults which is 78% of the ten-year average.”
Looking at the Clackamas River fish counts, hatchery summer steelhead numbers are nearly outpacing spring Chinook numbers at this time. That spells an impressive return rate for summer steelhead with not all that many anglers in hot pursuit. We’re just not used to seeing that many summer-run fish come back to this system.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger – Rob Gibbs and I floated from Oxbow to Dabney this morning. Conditions were ideal, with cool temperatures and a light drizzle. A heavy hatch of flying ants was underway on the water.
The river is running at 8.07 feet with a water temperature of 67.64 degrees. Clarity is gin clear.
Low water made for tough going. At least a half dozen spots required getting out and walking the raft, pontoon, or boat through.
Fishing was slow from Oxbow down to Lewis and Clark Park. Most of the action was concentrated around Dodge and Cedar Creek.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Ocean salmon fishing along the entire Oregon coast has improved since we last reported. Coho catches jumped for nearly every port and Chinook fishing remains good out of Newport and southern ports as well.
The bite has been best out of Astoria, but other ports to the south, including Pacific City, are holding their own.
Offshore halibut fishing remains unusually challenging this year. Even the commercial boats are struggling for good catches. That’s not likely to change.
Bottomfishing is turning mediocre, as a lot of attention has been given to this fishery given the slow start to the salmon and halibut fishery thus far.
Albacore remain too far offshore for most salty dawgs to get excited about. It may be another few weeks.
Spring Chinook catches in Tillamook Bay are still going, but the fishery is likely to fade after mid-month. Springers are entering the tidewater reaches of the Trask, Nestucca, Little Nestucca and the Siletz to a lesser extent. Smaller tides this week won’t bode well for success rates here.
Summer steelhead are still a fair to good option on the Nestucca, Siletz and Wilson River systems and trout season is open along much of the coast. The tidewater reaches are the better option for trout fishers.
Ocean crabbing is challenging for hard-shelled crab. That won’t change for a few months.
Razor clam digs were highly successful last week, but won’t be this week. The conservation closure happens after July 14th so just a few more days of productive digs before it closes.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – a video – Join legendary angler Buzz Ramsey as he breaks down essential tactics and strategies for targeting summer steelhead. 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: Water… It’s Beautiful and Calming But has Its Hidden Dangers by Tony Amato. Tony shares 12 hidden water hazards encountered during boat and bank fishing. 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 (from last week)
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
The Fourth of July rush has finally eased, and both rivers and lakes have returned to a comfortable level of traffic. Although ocean conditions kept most boats at the docks over the holiday weekend, a few anglers managed short morning windows and picked up salmon, lingcod, and bottom fish. The good news: this coming weekend looks much better, and if this week’s action is any sign, ocean anglers should see plenty of bent rods with biting Chinook and rockfish. Even crabbing has remained strong despite molting season.
Best ocean bets:
Brookings, Charleston, and Winchester Bay, all three have been producing salmon, rockfish, and solid crab pots when the ocean cooperates. Rivers & Bays
Main Umpqua: Striper fishing continues to be productive, with anglers still picking off some nice fish.
Rogue Bay (Gold Beach): Holiday action was slow, but things have picked up. A few Chinook over 30 pounds were caught earlier this week, and the bite should only improve as more fish push in.
Mid Rogue: A handful of summer steelhead are around, but the mid‑section is dominated by river floaters. If you fish it, go early or late.
Upper Rogue: Spring Chinook anglers are still finding fair success. Not hot, but steady enough to make it worth a trip.
Lakes & Reservoirs
It’s shaping up to be another hot weekend inland, so higher‑elevation lakes are the best bet for comfortable conditions and concentrated trout:
Diamond Lake Lost Creek Fish Lake Lake of the Woods Hyatt Howard Prairie Other than Diamond, most of these lakes have dropped significantly, which has pulled stocked trout into tighter zones — great for anglers who know how to work the concentrated water.
Overall Outlook
Whether you’re chasing ocean salmon, Rogue River Chinook, Umpqua stripers, or high‑lake trout, this weekend offers solid opportunities across the board. With lighter crowds and improving conditions, it’s a great time to get out and fish whatever you enjoy most.