Portland, Oregon Metro Fishing Report
Although it’s still early for spring Chinook, as the Willamette drops and clears, the season’s first spring Chinook, likely to be taken in the Willamette River, is indeed a January unicorn. None-the-less, effort will start to increase, especially as February nears.
In the meantime, plunkers working Meldrum Bar found fish as the Willamette was dropping earlier this week, but still somewhat turbid from recent rainfall. While still a viable option, chances go down as the flows do. It’s still a good January option however.
There isn’t much interest in sturgeon, especially since it’s catch and release. That may change come spring however.
Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas has been in ideal shape lately, and anglers are taking advantage of it. Like the Sandy, it’s off to a fair start, exciting anglers for the opportunities ahead.
Mike Roberson of Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City had this to report, “I’m getting reports up and down the river, but it has been a little spotty. Conditions are looking good with the water still a little high, but color is great. Fish have been up at Dog Creek already, with quite a few fish caught and a lot of wild fish right now. With the higher water level, there has been a lot of boat traffic on the river. Sleds are working the Coffee Hole and Riverside with some success pulling plugs. Mag-Lip 3.5’s has been working well. It’s still the beginning of the season on the Clackamas and things will improve. We’re looking forward to a great season ahead.”
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares: Good evening, everyone. I hope you were able to get out and try your luck on the water this past week. Fishing activity has improved, with anglers reporting good to fair numbers of fish caught in various stretches of the river.
Over the weekend, I floated the lower river on both Friday and Saturday. There were some exciting moments, including someone landing a double right next to me. It’s worth noting that the Sandy River allows the two-rod endorsement. I was fishing with two friends, and together we had four rods in the water. Some people thought this was against regulations, but it’s legal as long as you purchase the endorsement.
For those planning a trip, the boat ramp at Oxbow has been temporarily repaired and is now easier to launch from. River conditions are changing, with water levels dropping. Currently, the river is at 9.83 feet and the temperature is 41°F.Sandy and Clackamas River reports by Jeff Stoeger and Bob Rees
Clackamas River Fishing Report – The Clackamas has been in ideal shape lately, and anglers are taking advantage of it. Like the Sandy, it’s off to a fair start, exciting anglers for the opportunities ahead.
Mike Roberson of Fisherman’s Marine in Oregon City had this to report, “I’m getting reports up and down the river, but it has been a little spotty. Conditions are looking good with the water still a little high, but color is great. Fish have been up at Dog Creek already, with quite a few fish caught and a lot of wild fish right now. With the higher water level, there has been a lot of boat traffic on the river. Sleds are working the Coffee Hole and Riverside with some success pulling plugs. Mag-Lip 3.5’s has been working well. It’s still the beginning of the season on the Clackamas and things will improve. We’re looking forward to a great season ahead.”
Sandy River Fishing Report – Avid angler Jeff Stoeger shares: Good evening, everyone. I hope you were able to get out and try your luck on the water this past week. Fishing activity has improved, with anglers reporting good to fair numbers of fish caught in various stretches of the river.
Over the weekend, I floated the lower river on both Friday and Saturday. There were some exciting moments, including someone landing a double right next to me. It’s worth noting that the Sandy River allows the two-rod endorsement. I was fishing with two friends, and together we had four rods in the water. Some people thought this was against regulations, but it’s legal as long as you purchase the endorsement.
For those planning a trip, the boat ramp at Oxbow has been temporarily repaired and is now easier to launch from. River conditions are changing, with water levels dropping. Currently, the river is at 9.83 feet and the temperature is 41°F.
North & Central Coast Fishing Report by Bob Rees
Steelheaders working the central and north coast were rewarded with good catches this week. From the Siletz near Lincoln City to Gnat Creek near Astoria, it’s been a good week for anglers targeting winter fish.
The Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz all produced fair catches of broodstock steelhead, while Gnat and Big Creeks, along with the NF Nehalem, Necanicum and Alsea Rivers still producing early season “brats” that are starting to turn.
Coffenbury Lake and Vernonia Pond have also been stocked with surplus steelhead and several north coast hatcheries are still recycling fish to make another run for angling opportunity.
Coastal crabbing is largely over for the season and ocean anglers didn’t have much of a chance with rough ocean conditions.
There’s a nice set of minus tides next week. Minus tides start on Saturday and with an east wind influence, there’s a good chance surf conditions will be conducive for some great digging.
Much more on the site for Chinook Members:
- Buzz Ramsey’s latest post – Bobber Doggin Refresher. Unlock the subtle tweaks that make Bobber Doggin one of the most effective winter steelhead tactics in the Pacific Northwest. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
- Bill Monroe’s latest post – Anglers face different issues in two states. A sharp, personal look at two iconic rivers reveals how shifting rules, clashing opinions, and decades of memories are shaping the future of steelhead fishing in the Northwest. Chinook Members can see his post HERE.
You can find all the articles from these two professionals on this page.
- The article of the week: In a Split-Second by J.D. Richey. J.D. details the mis-hap of a trip he took, and why it’s important to be prepared. You can find the 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
Rivers now in great shape. Trout good in lakes, kokanee improving. Winter trout tactics explained.
Best bets for the weekend
The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent winter angling opportunities.
Anglers report excellent dry fly and nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack Reservoir, now with surplus brood fish being stocked.
Anglers report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook.
Trout stocking
Excess brood stock trout were released in Taylor Lake and Pine Hollow, and Haystack Reservoir this week.
Weekly fish stocking will resume in March, 2026
You can check the ODFW trout stocking schedule here.
New Kokanee Regulations for 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, kokanee will no longer be included in the trout daily bag limit. Anglers will be able keep up to 10 kokanee per day, no size limits, and up to five trout per day in lakes. The kokanee bag limit at Elk, Odell, and Suttle lakes will remain at 25 per day. See the 2026 regulation book for details and waterbodies with exceptions: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2025-11/26_Fish_regs.pdf
Columbia River
The good folks at the Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus report that the walleye action is picking up as the river drops and clears out. The usual early methods are finding a few fish, including worm harness bottom walkers, plugs, and jigs. Don’t forget a few blade baits. Tipping a jig with a worm can bring strikes if the jigging is slow. Good spots have been the Preacher’s Eddy, the Cottonwoods, and the reefs stretching downstream near the southern bank.
Metolius River
The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout, and bull trout. Nymphing with golden stonefly, midge and perdigon nymphs has been effective for trout and streamers are always a good bet for bull trout. Anglers should keep an eye out for afternoon blue wing olive hatches.
Catch-and-release only for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge).
Fall River
Fall River below Fall River Falls closed to angling for the season on October 1 and will reopen May 22, 2026. Fall River above the falls is open year-round. Fly-anglers continue to report good and consistent fishing in the Fall River. The spring-fed nature of Fall River makes it a great angling option during the winter. Nymphing with midges and stoneflies and stripping small streamers with light fluorocarbon tippet are also effective methods.
Lake Reports
Haystack Reservoir
Approximately 400 brood rainbow trout were released in December providing a unique opportunity to catch 4+ pound fish. As a reminder, to allow everyone a chance at catching one of these fish, only one fish over 20 inches long can be harvested each day.
Anglers report good fishing for rainbow trout in the 16 to 17-inch range. Fall sampling also indicated good numbers of largemouth bass averaging 10-12 inches and smallmouth bass averaging 9-11 inches. Keep an eye on the recreation report for winter announcements for rainbow trout broodstock opportunities at Pine Nursery Pond and Haystack Reservoir.
Eastern Oregon
Best bets for weekend fishing
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 is currently available.
There are some nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
Trout fishing has been great at Chickahominy Reservoir
Crappie are abundant in Wolf Creek Reservoir with some nicer fish around 8 inches available.
Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
Channel catfish are a popular option. Find them in the Snake River and Owyhee Reservoir throughout the summer and early fall.
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!
Anglers have been catching good numbers of perch and some nice sized tiger muskies in Phillips Reservoir.
Cottonwood Meadow Lake has been producing a lot of trout in the 12-17″ range recently.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports
This weekend is shaping up to be an ideal time to grab your new fishing license, tags, and a couple of fishing buddies for some solid winter steelhead action—without the usual “horrors” of traditional winter conditions. If the fog ever burns off in the Rogue Valley, anglers can expect spring‑like weather. With little to no rain in the forecast and mild temperatures, even the fair‑weather crowd may find themselves tempted to wet a line.
Coastal Waters
After several days of small‑craft advisories, the ocean is finally calming down and should offer excellent lingcod and bottom‑fish opportunities. If last weekend was any indication, the saltwater bite could be outstanding again.
Crabbing has also improved, and winter remains the prime season for full pots. If you don’t own a crab pot, this is the time to buy or borrow one or two.
Chetco, Elk & Sixes
The Chetco has fished very well this week, producing a number of bright, heavy chromers. Some days have been hot, others just fair—but fish are definitely being caught. Anglers back‑bouncing roe, pulling plugs, and bobber‑fishing soft beads have all found success. Bank anglers are also doing well at the popular gravel bars. Expect company; it’ll be busy.
The Elk and Sixes have produced decent action as flows dropped, though the lack of recent rain may have them running low. Still, they’re worth checking or calling about—they can be excellent options when they’re in shape.
Rogue River – All Sections Fishable
The Rogue is in great condition from top to bottom. Lower Rogue: From Agness to Huntley Park, steelhead catches have improved with better flows. Bank plunkers running Spin‑N‑Glo setups and boat anglers side‑drifting soft beads or roe—or pulling plugs—are all finding fish. Mid‑Rogue: Angler activity has picked up, and catches have been fair to good. Guides have reported fish well over 24″. With current conditions, nearly every stretch is fishable. If one spot is slow, move on. Upper Rogue: From Dodge Bridge upstream, conditions remain solid and fish are present. A great stretch to explore this weekend.
Umpqua System
The mainstem, North Fork, and South Fork are all coming into good shape. Reports from the main and North Fork show fair to good steelhead catches this week. While no recent reports have come in from the South Fork, it’s likely worth a look now that flows have stabilized.
Coos, Coquille & Millicoma
The Coos and Coquille systems should offer good weekend opportunities. Angler pressure has increased, and fair numbers of winter steelhead are being caught.
The Millicoma produced good catches last weekend, though it may now be running low and clear. Still, it’s worth checking if you’re nearby.