Oregon fishing report
Portland/Metro Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Metro anglers saw a nice bump in spring Chinook catches on the Willamette River last week, one of the best weeks of the last decade. In a nice change of pace, the Willamette run is finally out-performing pre-season expectations, or at least significantly ahead of last year’s return at this same time.
Trollers working the head of the channel are seeing improved catches, but the Kelly Point Park bite hasn’t taken off just yet. Yes, it’s still a flasher and spinner/stuffer bait program, that is destined to never change.
The mainstem Columbia also remains an option, as managers opened it up for more sport opportunity. There are some fish being caught, but it seems the better action is taking place from the airport downstream to Prescott Beach. Gorge anglers aren’t doing well, and the run is not meeting pre-season expectations with spring Chinook counts at Bonneville officially ending on June 15th. The summer Chinook run isn’t expected to be good either.
Willamette Falls summer steelhead counts are almost double what they were last year at this same time. That should get Santiam steelheaders stoked as well as the McKenzie. Catches will be fair if the water doesn’t get too warm.
Shad catches in the Oregon City area tapered some, but so did the effort. There’s still plenty in there to catch, as well as the Bonneville reach of the Columbia.
Photo at top: Kara and I landed this Halibut on a jetski fishing for Lingcod out of Garibaldi in 150’ of water, a first for us! We caught it last Thursday, fishing a black label herring and squid all day in hopes of a big Ling, but we couldn’t find them. I landed this on the last drift before we gave up. – Joe Vinarcsik
Upper Willamette Valley Fishing Report by Terry Otto
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 – The Clackamas should be well seeded with both spring Chinook and summer steelhead. Recent rains only brought up the river level about a half of a foot, but it doesn’t take much to inspire fish to bite when it happens. Those targeting summer steelhead and spring Chinook in the Dog Creek area remain persistent, and its evident that new fish have moved in.
Upcoming warm weather will bring out the splash and gigglers, as if we haven’t said it enough, early mornings will be your best bet at success.
If Willamette Falls summer steelhead counts are an indicator, there should be more summer steelhead available to Clackamas River anglers too.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares the following: The Sandy River is currently running at 8.97 feet with a forecast to drop over the weekend. Water temperature is 53 degrees, on the cool side for this time of year.
I fished on Wednesday from the bank at Dabney. Fishing was active at several locations along the river. Fish are stacked at Cedar Creek, with most summer steelhead held up due to low water conditions. Dodge Park is holding both spring Chinook and summer steelhead.
A buddy floated from Oxbow Park downstream earlier this week and reported numerous fish visible in tail-outs and at the heads of holes along the route.
Floaters should be aware of a serious hazard at Oxbow Park. His pontoon boat attempted to pass left of the posted signs, both boats sank, and he was pulled into a logjam before getting clear. Stay right at the posted signs. Free PFDs are available at county and state park boat ramps. Return them when you are done.
With a heat wave forecast for the coming week, expect heavy swimmer, rafter, and tuber traffic on the river. Fish early morning or late evening to avoid the crowd and the midday heat.
Parking fees apply at both state parks and Oxbow Park. A state park pass covers the state park locations. Lewis and Clark opens at 6 a.m. and Oxbow at 6:30 a.m., with pay stations at each entrance. Oxbow enforces fees aggressively, and fines are steep. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed, with expected recovery costs of at least $150.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
More spring Chinook are starting to show. Soft tides this week are my favorite, when anglers can drown trolled herring near the bottom and stand a reasonable chance at springers on each end of the tide. The incoming tide can produce fair catches in the adjacent ocean areas so don’t overlook that option when ocean conditions are safe to navigate.
Lower Tillamook Bay has produced some springers too and although there’s springers in the tidewater reaches of the Trask and Nestucca systems, soft tides aren’t quite the tool to find biters in.
River levels came up rather significantly for this time of year, there should have been some springers heading upstream on the Trask, Nestucca and Little Nestucca Rivers. It should have been even better for summer steelhead on the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz Rivers. These rain freshets don’t come often this time of year so when they do, they are meaningful for fish.
The ocean opened up for fin-clipped coho last weekend and although catches weren’t blistering, there were coho caught out of every port that had effort. Depoe Bay and Winchester Bay produced the best catches, but anglers still averaged less than .5 fish/rod.
Bottomfishing is holding its own out of most ports and halibut anglers out of Newport averaged better then 1 halibut per angler, which is pretty good fishing.
Ocean crab are nearing the molt so be selective in what you keep.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Columbia River Walleye and Bass Trolling.Non‑stop Columbia River action: see how a family trip turned into 60‑plus walleye and bass in a single day. Chinook Members can read Buzz’s post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Boat ramps we’ve come to love – some not so much! From pristine free launches with fuel docks to absolute “horror story” zones, discover the best and worst boat ramps along the Columbia and Willamette. 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: Reel Obsession by Kris Olseon. Kris covers the details on waht makes an all-around British Columbia trip successful. 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)
Lake fishing very good. Columbia walleye still biting, spring bug hatches mostly over. Rivers settling into summer patterns, high elevation lakes fishing well now.
Best bets for weekend fishing
Hike-in high country lakes offer fine fishing, less pressure.
Hood River spring Chinook season is here, peak of the season will be late May – early June.
The salmon fly hatch on the lower Deschutes is underway! Great fishing and lots of anglers
North and South Twin Lakes were recently stocked in late April with both legal and trophy rainbow trout.
Anglers report excellent fishing for trout and kokanee at Paulina Lake. Kokanee at Paulina Lake are amongst the largest in Central Oregon this year averaging 13-14 inches.
Recent ODFW sampling indicate good numbers of 17-22″ holdover rainbow trout at Antelope Flat Reservoir
The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
Fall River was recently stocked, and anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
Weather
The Bend area is expecting a cool off over the next week, with highs mostly in the mid-60’s, and partly cloudy conditions. Anglers can expect a warm-up starting the following week, with highs supposedly reaching into the 80’s.
Trout Stocking
You can check the ODFW weekly stocking report here.
Scheduled to be stocked May 18- June 12:
Aldrich Ponds, Anson Wright Pond, Bull Prairie Res, Cutsforth Pond, Hog Creek Pond, Holliday Park Pond, Honeymoon Pond, Kinney Lake, Marr Pond, McNary Channel Ponds, Morgan Lake, Seventh St. Pond, Teepee Pond, Twin Ponds, Umatilla Forest Pond N and S, Victor Pond, Walla Walla Forest Pond N and S, Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Wildlife Pond (Weavers Pond), Wildcat Pond,
Columbia River Walleye
Wendy Boyer at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus reports that the walleye bite continues to be very good for eating-sized fish. The schools are still holding from 12 feet to about 30 feet. The best bite is still coming on the worm harnesses, which is the most effective method for summer walleyes.
Shad
Shad fishing continues to heat up, and now over 260,000 shad have crossed Bonneville. Most of these are still in the Bonneville Pool, since none have crossed The Dalles Dam as yet. Daily counts are now close to 60,000 at Bonneville. The best bite is at the Bonneville Dam fishing deadline, where anglers are tossing shad darts, Dick Nite spoons, and small jigs for the fish. In a survey at Kalama, 3 boats/8 rods kept 10 shad and released one shad.
Lower Deschutes River
Amy Hazel of the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop in Maupin reported that the crowds are thinning, now that the spring hatches are winding down. The crowds are also thinning. “We’ve seen a lot of good hatches,” said Hazel, “and the fish have seen a lot of pressure, but the crowds are thinning out. The spring hatches are just about done, but I saw a few flying around yesterday, and the fish are still eating them, but they are waning.”
Southeastern Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing
Willow Valley Reservoir should be good for largemouth bass
Black drake mayflies should be hatching in various rivers in the Klamath Basin.
Lake of the Woods, MIller Lake and Fourmile Lake all should be good for hatchery rainbow trout
Salmonflies and golden stoneflies are hatching in the Klamath River.
The Wood River below Weed Road is fishing well for Brown Trout.
Crappie fishing is big hit or big miss in Gerber Reservoir with the sporadic weather.
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.
The Cascade Ramp at Hyatt is open. This year at Howard Prairie, the Grizzly, Willow Point and Klum Landing ramps will be available for the first time in many years. Biologists expect a temporary boost in productivity at Howard and Hyatt as large stretches of inundation zone are rewatered and producing aquatic food items again. Trout should be fat and happy!
Trout Stocking
May 25- June 19:
Burns Gravel Pond, Fish Lake, Fourmile Lake, Holbrook Res, Lake of the Woods, Lofton Res, Miller Lake, PowdEr River-2, Summit Prairie Pond, Vee Lake.
Check out the Trout stocking schedule.
Blitzen River
The Blitzen River is currently flowing around 180 cfs and water temperatures are in the 50’s There are some quality fish out there right now. Fly fishing around Page Springs has been good recently. Should be some nice incest hatches occurring right now. If you are looking for some solitude the Blitzen will not disappoint.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome
With most kids out of school and the first 100‑degree weekend of the year rolling into Southern Oregon, anglers are going to be balancing fishing plans with the heat. Here’s where I’d focus.
Cooler Coastal Options If you want to escape the inland oven, the coast is the smart play.
Ben Irving Lake and
Garrison Lake should offer steady trout action.
The Chetco, Elk, and Sixes are all good bets for cutthroat trout right now. Surf perch fishing is a reliable option along the jetties and sandy beaches.
Ocean conditions, unfortunately, won’t be friendly. Wind is going to shut things down for most of the weekend, but Sunday out of Brookings might open a small window for anglers to get back out after Chinook and coho.
Inland Lakes – Stay High, Stay Cool If you’re staying inland, elevation is your friend. Diamond Lake, Hyatt, and Howard Prairie should fish well and offer cooler temps. I’ll be back up at Lost Creek, which remains a solid, dependable option.
Rivers – Early or Late Only It’s going to be hot, crowded, and full of floaters. If you’re planning to fish the rivers, timing is everything. Rogue River: A strong spring Chinook run is tapering off, and the river is in that awkward transition between runs. Summer steelhead are just starting to trickle in, but it’s not “on” yet. Fish early or late to avoid the flotilla.
Umpqua River: Stripers are biting well, and smallmouth bass action is strong. Coquille River: Also producing good numbers of smallmouth bass.
Bottom Line It’s going to be hot, it’s going to be busy, and the best fishing will come from either heading to the coast or fishing high-elevation lakes. Whatever you choose, plan around the heat and the crowds.