Northwest Zone

April 17, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Winter steelhead fishing is just about done on the North Coast. The rivers are low and clear but and there won't be many bright fish still around. The Nestucca, Wilson and North Fork Nehalem rivers are still the best chance of catching hatchery steelhead but numbers will be getting low. The first summer steelhead should show up in the Nestucca or Wilson anytime. Many of the smaller tributaries and upper most reaches in the North Coast rivers closed to fishing April 1, so check the regs before heading out.
• Spring Chinook fishing doesn't usually heat up on the North Coast until May but there could be a springer or two poking into Tillamook or Nestucca bays.
• Most of the North Coast lakes have been stocked with rainbow trout, and stocking will continue through May. Water conditions and temperatures are good for fishing and the weeds haven't gotten going yet, so it is great time to take advantage of the stockings listed below and go catch some trout!
• Surplus hatchery steelhead have been planted in Town Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Vernonia Pond, and Lake Lytle. Catching a steelhead out of still water can be a fun and unique experience.
• The Mid Coast steelhead bite has slowed down and continued to remain fair. Like the North Coast, the rivers will be low and clear but some opportunity is still around!
• Several of our Mid Coast Basins closed last month for steelhead fisheries. Make sure to check your local regulations before heading out!
• Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout at the ODFW office in Roseburg. Collection barrels are at many boat ramps on the South Umpqua. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Last updated 2/28/24.
• Lakes up and down the Mid Coast are back on stocking schedule. As rivers are blown out lake fishing offers additional opportunity to catch some fish! Check the stocking schedule for an up-to-date look at recently stocked lakes!
• If you're striking out on the rivers, the Mid Coast beaches offer some great opportunity for surfperch and other near shore species and clamming as well. The surf going into the weekend won't offer the best conditions for surf perch or near shore, but Friday and Saturday are both set for minus tides which is great opportunity for clamming! Check out the Alsea or Siletz or Yaquina Bays for some great clamming opportunities.

Trout stocking

Scheduled to be stocked the week of April 15: ‌

Sunset Lake, Lost Lake, Mercer Lake, Loren's Pond, Lyle Lake, Big Cr Reservoir 1,‌

Cleawox Lake, Town Lake, Tahoe Lake, Georgia Lake, Siltcoos Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Sutton Lake, Hebo Lake, Nedonna Pond, Olalla Cr Reservoir, Perkins Lake, South Lake‌

Recently stocked:‌

Thissel Pond, Woahink Lake, Cleawox Lake, Carter Lake‌

Trout stocking maps

Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.

Announcements

E-tagging tips for anglers‌

It's important for anglers to tag their salmon and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.‌

Watch for boating hazards‌

Boaters should use extreme caution following winter storms and high water events. The high water may have brought down new trees and created new obstacles. Check the Oregon State Marine Boards, Boating Obstructions map. ‌

Sign up for the latest information on boater access ‌

Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.‌

Updates by waterbody‌

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The Alsea River has remained fair the past few weeks. Fish are still being caught around the hatchery but the bite has definitely slowed. The water is low and clear this weekend and will provide a decent bite. Lower down in the system will offer some decent floating opportunities but the river level will be the lowest it's been all season. ‌

Check the regulations before you head out this weekend! Last updated 4/17/24.‌

KILCHIS RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The Kilchis is very low and clear. There should be some opportunity with the catch mostly consisting of wild steelhead (catch-and-release only), but the season is winding down quickly. ‌

Tillamook County made repairs to the Mapes Creek (logging bridge) boat ramp and it looks good and is usable. Last updated 4/10/24.‌

LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): winter steelhead, spring Chinook‌

There's not much going on in the Lower Columbia tributaries right now. The winter steelhead returns in Big Creek, Gnat Creek and Klaskanine River are over for the most part, and very few spring Chinook are present. Last updated 4/10/24. ‌

NEHALEM RIVER AND BAY: winter steelhead‌

The Nehalem River still has some catch-and-release opportunities for wild steelhead. The Nehalem River upstream of the Hwy 26 bridge at Elsie closed for fishing on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles. It will reopen on May 22 for trout season. The Salmonberry River also closed to fishing April 1. Last updated 4/10/24. ‌

River levels and predictions for the Nehalem are available here.‌

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The North Fork is low and clear but is still fishable and pressure is light. A few wild broodstock hatchery steelhead are still present. There's also catch-and-release opportunity for wild steelhead. Last updated 4/10/24.‌

NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead, summer steelhead, spring Chinook‌

The Nestucca River is low and clear but there is still opportunity for hatchery steelhead and catch-and-release opportunity for wild steelhead throughout the fishery. The first summer steelhead of the season could show up anytime now.

Spring Chinook could start showing up in the bay anytime now, although it is usually very slow until May. The upper Nestucca River, upstream of Moon Creek, closed for fishing on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles. It will reopen on May 22. Last updated 4/17/24. ‌

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.‌

SALMON RIVER: steelhead‌

The Salmon River is now closed for steelhead. It was a decent season with some nice fish being caught once the winter rains slowed. ‌

Check your regulations before you head out. Last updated 4/3/24.‌

SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The Siletz has been remaining fair and steady throughout March. The Siletz also has a hatchery component to its steelhead run and provides a great opportunity for early season steelhead retention. Most of the earlier fish have shot up and are hanging around in the upper Siletz Gorge. Some of the deeper pools after the 4-mile bridge likely have some fish hanging around. The Gorge provides excellent bank fishing opportunity but as winter flows settle in, be mindful of traversing the river at higher flows. ‌

Lower down in the system floating through town, anywhere between Moonshine and Morgan has shown some excellent success. Folks are landing several fish per trip! We have been seeing fresh bright fish being caught as far down as Jack Morgan. The bite has slowed over the past week, although conditions have remained fair. This weekend is set to be low and clear.‌

We have started to see more fish reaching the trap, which bodes well for bank angling along the upper gorge road! The obstruction land slide at mile post 12.1 has been removed allowing full access to the fishery. ‌

Trout fishing will reopen May 22. Last updated 4/17/24.‌

SIUSLAW RIVER: steelhead ‌

The Siuslaw is now closed for steelhead. Like its neighbors the Siuslaw was a fair and steady fishery with most fish being caught in and around late February into March.‌

Trout fishing will reopen May 22. Last updated 4/3/24.‌

THREE RIVERS: winter steelhead‌

Three Rivers is low and clear. Expect fair opportunity for hatchery steelhead as well as catch-and-release opportunity for wild fish. Last updated 4/10/24.

TILLAMOOK BAY: spring Chinook‌

The spring Chinook fishery on Tillamook Bay doesn't really get going strong until May but there could be the odd fish around. We've noticed a couple boats out trying already but as of yet haven't had any reports of springers being caught. Last updated 4/17/24.‌

TRASK RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The Trask River is low and clear. There are no hatchery steelhead releases on the Trask, but wild steelhead are spread throughout the basin and provide good catch and release opportunity. The North and South Forks closed for angling on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles. They will reopen on May 22 for trout season. Last updated 4/10/24. ‌

Trask river levels and predictions are available here.‌

WILSON RIVER: winter steelhead‌

The Wilson is low and clear but fishing has remained fair. The run is winding down but there are still a few hatchery and wild steelhead (catch-and-release only for wilds) being caught. There are fish throughout the fishery this time of year. Last updated 4/17/24.‌‌

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.‌

YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead‌

Steelhead fishery is now closed on the Big Elk. It was a fair fishery overall. Last updated 4/3/24.‌