Fishing Report - Northwest Zone (2024)

Fishing Report - Northwest Zone (1)

Sept. 4, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Best bets for weekend fishing

  • Summer steelhead are in the Nestucca and Wison Rivers and fishing has been fair. Cedar Creek hatchery has been recycling fish back to tidewater the past several weeks so there should be fish throughout the fishery on the Nestucca River. On the Wilson most fish should be in the upper river. These fish are hard to entice to bite but fishing first and last light, using lures or subtle presentations, and light line should help increase the odds.
  • Warmwater fishing in the North Coast lakes is in full swing but the lakes are getting weedy. Using weedless set ups will up the odds of success and may reduce some frustration. Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Lake Lytle, Town Lake and Vernonia Pond all have warmwater species and fishing opportunity.
  • Chinook are in Nehalem. Fishing has slowed on the bay the last week but there are some fish in upper tidewater. Overall fishing seems a little slow, but more Chinook and some coho should start showing up soon.
  • It's still early but fall Chinook should be starting to show up in small numbers on the North Coast bays over the next couple of weeks.
  • Sea-run cutthroat trout should be migrating into most North Coast Rivers. Check the regulations for open areas and bait restrictions.
  • Summer steelhead is still going strong on the Midcoast! It was a slower start but we are seeing more and more fish being caught in the Siletz basin. Fish are being caught most fish in the gorge! We have recycled several loads of hatchery summer steelhead back into the Siletz Basin. The fish are marked with a floy tag and will continue to provide excellent opportunity! Those fish are likely still moving about the basin
  • Spring Chinook is slowing down on the Mid Coast. Fish are still around but most of the springers have moved higher up into the Gorge. With temps as high as they have been, if you hook into and land a springer, please minimize handling and keep those fish wet!
  • Fall Chinook are starting to show up in the Siletz Bay! Fish have been taking advantage of a little rain and have been moving into the system.

Surplus summer steelhead are being stocking in Olalla Reservoir for an additional fishing opportunity.

Trout stocking

Spring stocking is done for the season. Some stocking will resume in September.‌

See the Trout stocking schedule

Trout stocking maps

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

Announcements

No access to Tillamook's South Jetty

The Army Corps of Engineers is making repairs to Tillamook's South Jetty and as a result there is no public access this summer. Bay Ocean spit is still open for walking/hiking and biking but is closed to public access about a mile from the jetty.

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: cutthroat trout, Chinook salmon

Fall Chinook is back open on the Alsea River! Fall Chinook reopened a few weeks ago and so far, it's been slow. Like its neighbors, the fishery will be best in the Alsea bay as fish are making their way back into the river system from the ocean. A few fish have been caught but it is still early in the season. With the rains we will get this week, the weekend could be a decent time to head out!

Trout fishing is still open on the Alsea. As we head into the later summer waters are low and clear and provide opportunity for trout fishing. Anglers have had decent success catching cutthroat of various sizes. The sea-runs have been moving throughout the basin with anglers having mixed success.

It's been warm so getting out early while temps are still cool will lead to the best success for trout. Try targeting cooler deeper pools, shaded banks, or heads of riffles to find fish holding in colder water. Last updated 8/21/24.

KILCHIS RIVER: cutthroat trout

Fishing for cutthroat trout should be fair to good throughout the river. No bait is allowed upstream of tidewater May 22-Aug. 31.

The Kilchis River (up to Tilden Bluff Road Bridge) is opened to fall Chinook angling on Aug. 1 to Nov. 30 by regulation, but realistically there won't be any salmon in the Kilchis until September or October depending on when we get rain this fall.

The adult wild Chinook daily bag limit for all Tillamook Rivers (Tillamook River and Bay, Kilchis River, Miami River, Wison River, and Trask River) is one fish in aggregate. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. See the regulation updates for more details.

Repairs are being made on the Mapes Creek boat launch (logging bridge) and it's not usable at this time. The repairs will be completed by Sept. 15 at the absolute latest. Personal watercraft can still be launched from the gravel bar. Last updated 8/28/24.

NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout

Trout fishing should be fair to good. No bait is allowed above tidewater May 22-Aug 31. The Hwy 101 boat ramp is closed until fall.

The Necanicum River is open to Fall Chinook fishing Aug. 1 to Nov. 30. Realistically fall Chinook won't be showing up in the Necanicum estuary until September and won't be in the river until the fall rains come. The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period. See the regulation updates for more details. Last updated 8/28/24.

NEHALEM RIVER: Chinook, coho, cutthroat trout

The Nehalem gets an early component of the fall Chinook run sometimes referred to as "summer Chinook" and those fish are in. Fishing has slowed the past week, especially in the lower bay. There have been some Chinook caught in the upper tidewater. The more traditionally timed fall Chinook should be starting to show up soon.

The Nehalem gets a return of hatchery coho salmon that should be showing up soon as well. In addition, the wild coho fishery starts this Saturday. Nehalem Bay is open to retention of 1 adult wild coho/day and 2/season on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS only, from Sept. 7 to Oct. 23. See the regulation updates online for more details.

Trolling with flashers and spinners seems to be the go-to technique for this fishery in the bay, but trolling herring is always a good option for Chinook as well. In upper tidewater bobber fishing bait can be effective. The bag limit for wild adult Chinook is 1/day and 5 for the season from July 1 to Nov. 30. See the regulation updates for more details.

There are cutthroat trout throughout the Nehalem basin. Most of the sea-run cutthroat should be up in the rivers and tributaries by this time of year. Last updated 9/4/24.

NESTUCCA RIVER: summer steelhead, cutthroat trout

Summer steelhead are in the Nestucca and there are some fish being caught. Cedar Creek hatchery has been recycling steelhead for weeks. There are some big fish this year. Fish should be throughout the fishery (up to Elk Creek). These fish can be difficult to get to bite, but fishing first and last light will increase the odds of a hook up.

Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good, with fish spread through the river system. Sea-run cutthroat have been moving through the tidewater and should be making their way upriver.

The Nestucca River (up to First Bridge) and Bay, and the Little Nestucca River is open to fall Chinook fishing Aug. 1 to Nov. 30. It is still early but there are a few Chinook being caught in the bay and more should be showing up as the month goes on. The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate. No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Summer steelhead are in the Nestucca and there are some fish being caught. Cedar Creek hatchery has been recycling steelhead for weeks.. There are some big fish this year. Fish should be throughout the fishery (up to Elk Creek). These fish can be difficult to get to bite, but fishing first and last light will increase the odds of a hook up.

Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good, with fish spread through the river system. Sea-run cutthroat have been moving through the tidewater and should be making their way upriver.

The Nestucca River (up to First Bridge) and Bay, and the Little Nestucca River is open to fall Chinook fishing Aug. 1 to Nov. 30. It is still early but there are a few Chinook being caught in the bay and more should be showing up as the month goes on. The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate. No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: steelhead, Chinook

The Salmon River is back open for Fall Chinook. With the rains we get this week, hopefully the fishing will pick up in the bay this weekend. It's still a slower part of the season but the Salmon River does have a hatchery component to the run. Bank fishing on the lower portion of the basin offers decent opportunity to land a nice Chinook!

The Salmon River is open for trout fishing! Early mornings or later afternoons are the best times to hit the system. A bit further upstream where the water is more shaded may offer better opportunity. Last updated 8/21/24.

SILETZ RIVER: summer steelhead, Chinook

Fall Chinook is back open on the Siletz Chinook fishing has started to pick up as the earlier component of the fall run is starting to move into the basin. We had a smaller group of fish come in the first few weeks of August and they seem to be taking advantage of the rains and moving into the system. We haven't gotten enough rain yet to really pull fish in but we should see conditions and fishing improve in the next few weeks.

Anglers have still been catching summer steelhead throughout the Siletz Gorge. Fish are hiding in cooler waters especially throughout the daylight hours. This may make it a bit more challenging to land a fish and you may need to spend some additional time out on the water. We still seem to have a decent number of fish moving higher in the gorge and a few pockets of hatchery summer steelhead throughout the gorge.

We have recycled several loads of hatchery summer steelhead back into the system for additional opportunity over the past few weeks. Lots of fish should still be found in the basin going into this weekend, and the recycled fish are marked with a floy tag. We would like to hear if you caught any recycled fish- feel free to call or text 541-961-8360!

Trout fishing remains open through Oct. 31. Last updated 8/21/24.

SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat, Chinook

Fall Chinook is back open on the Siuslaw. Like nearby rivers, it's been a slow start but fish are moving into the bay. The boulder rip rap area in the bay offers decent bank fishing opportunities. There was construction in the area a few weeks back. We have had a few reports of fish being caught but it hasn't really picked up yet.

The Siuslaw is open for trout fishing through Oct. 31. Not a ton of reports of fish being caught but again trying in early morning or later afternoon is best.

Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for the Siuslaw. Last updated 8/21/24.

THREE RIVERS: cutthroat trout

Three Rivers from the mouth to the hatchery deadline closed to fishing on July 16 and will remain closed until Oct. 1.

Three Rivers above the hatchery weir remains open for hatchery steelhead and cutthroat trout. There probably are not many steelhead up there as hatchery fish are not passed above the weir, but there should be cutthroat trout throughout the basin. Last updated 7/17/24.

TILLAMOOK BAY: Chinook, coho, sea-run cutthroat trout

Tillamook Bay is open to fall Chinook fishing Aug. 30 to Nov. 30. It's early and numbers are low but there are a few Chinook getting caught and fishing should continue to improve as the month goes on. The adult wild Chinook daily bag limit for all Tillamook Rivers (Tillamook River and Bay, Kilchis River, Miami River, Wison River, and Trask River) is one fish in aggregate. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. See the regulation updates for more details.

Coho salmon should also start showing up in the bay this month. There is a hatchery coho release on the Trask River and those fish usually stack up in the bay early season waiting for rain to go up the river. In addition, the wild coho fishery opens in Tillamook Bay this Saturday. Tillamook Bay is open to retention of 1 adult wild coho/day and 2/season on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS only, from Sept. 7 to Oct. 23. See the regulation updates online for more details.

Sea-run cutthroat trout fishing has slowed in tidewater, probably indicating that fish are moving into the rivers, but there is still some opportunity. Last updated 9/4/24.

TRASK RIVER: cutthroat trout

The Trask River is closed to angling from the marker at Dam Hole (MP 7 on Trask River Road) up to Blue Ridge Creek Sept. 1 – Nov. 30.

The Trask River 200 feet above and 900 feet below Gold Creek at Trask Hatchery (which includes the "hatchery hole" closed to fishing July 16 and will remain closed until Oct. 15.

The Trask does NOT have a release of hatchery summer steelhead but there are a few strays in the river with some being caught.

Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good, with fish spread through mainstem and forks of the river. Sea-run cutthroat are throughout the fishery at this point. Just remember no bait is allowed May 22-Aug 31 in the North, South and East forks.

The Trask River is opened to fall Chinook fishing Aug. 1 to Nov. 30 by regulation (up to the forks), but realistically there won't be Chinook salmon showing up in any real numbers until September or later depending on when the fall rains start.

The adult wild Chinook daily bag limit for all Tillamook Rivers (Tillamook (including bay), Kilchis, Miami, Wison and Trask rivers) is one fish in aggregate. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. See the regulation updates for more details.

The Trask also has a hatchery coho salmon run, but like the Chinook those fish won't show up above tidewater in any numbers until we get some rain. Last updated 9/4/24.

WILSON RIVER: summer steelhead, cutthroat

The Wilson gets a release of hatchery summer steelhead and those fish throughout the river. There are quite a few fish holding in the upper river and while it's been hard to entice them to bite, there are some being caught. I gave it a try late last week at daylight and can attest to the fact that these fish are pretty lock jawed. I had one good bite on a lure and a couple of followers but came home empty handed.

Trout fishing should be fair throughout the river. The Wilson River is opened to fall Chinook fishing Aug. 1 to Nov. 30 by regulation (up to Jordan Creek), but realistically there won't be Chinook salmon showing up in any real numbers until September or later depending on when the fall rains start.

The adult wild Chinook daily bag limit for all Tillamook Rivers (Tillamook River and Bay, Kilchis River, Miami River, Wison River, and Trask River) is one fish in aggregate. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate. See the regulation updates for more details. Last Updated 9/4/24.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: cutthroat, Chinook

Chinook fishing is open on the Yaquina. It is still a little early but expect fishing to improve over the next couple weeks. Similar to its neighbors, it will take some rain to improve fishing conditions over the next few weeks get fish moving into the bay and up river.

Folks have had some decent success for lingcod and rockfish off the North and South Jetties in Newport - as well as bay crabs throughout the bay. If you do head out on the jetties, be mindful of the tides moving in and out as well as wet slick rocks from the rains!

Trout fishing is open on the Yaquina through Oct. 31. Last updated 8/21/24.

Fishing Report - Northwest Zone (2024)

FAQs

Where is the best salmon fishing in Oregon right now? ›

Best Salmon Fishing Spots in Oregon

However, if you're looking for specific salmon fishing spots in Oregon, check out Rogue River, Umpqua River, Nestucca River, Trask River, McKenzie River, Santiam River, Middle Fork River, Imnaha River, Tillamook River, Deschutes River, or Chetco River.

What fish are running in the Columbia River now? ›

The Columbia River is renowned for its salmon and steelhead runs. In a year of good returns, over 1 million Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon, and summer steelhead travel up the river to spawn in its tributaries. Less known are the river's excellent smallmouth bass and walleye fisheries.

Is the Siletz River open for fishing? ›

The Siletz River offers year-round fishing with good accessibility. It flows from the Siuslaw National Forest of the Central Oregon Coast Range, towards Siletz Bay. A Chinook salmon run begins in late June and runs through November.

What is the best river to catch salmon in Oregon? ›

The most popular rivers

The Trask and Tillamook Rivers have the most access and are by far the most popular. Boat fishers troll spinners, or anchor fish with bait wrapped plugs. They can also cast slip bobber rigs baited with shrimp and salmon eggs.

What is the best bait for salmon in Oregon? ›

Keep in mind that on the Oregon Coast most of the baitfish are anchovies or needlefish rather than herring. Using an anchovy matches the salmon's natural food source. Let's cover how I prepare my bait for coastal Oregon success. Fresh anchovies are ideal, but frozen works well with a little prep.

Where are they catching salmon in the Columbia River? ›

From the mouth of the river at Astoria, Oregon and Ilwaco, Washington to the Hanford Reach, meaningful fishing for Salmon, Steelhead and Sturgeon exists year round.

What is the prediction for the Columbia River salmon in 2024? ›

The preliminary numbers for the 2024 run are similar to 2023 actual returns, with the Spring Chinook numbers just over 200,000 and Summer Sockeye numbers increased to over 400,000!

What fish are declining in the Columbia River? ›

The last 5 years have been difficult for many West Coast salmon and steelhead as climate change and impacts to the environment continue to degrade fish habitat. For Interior Columbia basin salmon and steelhead, a series of marine heatwaves reduced their survival in the ocean.

What is the best bait for salmon? ›

Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, although sand shrimp are very popular for chinook salmon. Some anglers like to fish both at the same time. Marabou jigs (Photo 10) can be used instead of bait and can be especially effective on pink salmon, or other salmon when the water is very low and clear.

What time of day is best for salmon? ›

The best time to catch king salmon is early in the morning or late in the evening. During these times, the water is cooler, and the fish are more active. King salmon are known to be more active during low light conditions, so fishing during sunrise or sunset can yield the best results.

What is the best month for salmon fishing? ›

The Salmon season usually starts in April (the dates change every year) and lasts until October, at least for sportfishing.

How many salmon can you keep a day in Oregon? ›

The possession limit is 3 daily bag limits for all species, including jack salmon, except: 1 daily bag limit on the vessel or three daily bag limits on land for Pacific halibut. There is no possession limit for adult salmon and steelhead.

What is the best time of year for salmon fishing in Oregon? ›

Our Silver salmon season is from July in the Ocean through November up in the rivers near the spawning grounds. There is an early and late run of Silvers in the fall. The early run starts in July out in the ocean and they will start to enter the Columbia in August during the Buoy 10 season.

What is the size limit for trout in Oregon? ›

8 inch minimum length. Only 1 trout over 20 inches in length may be taken per day. Rainbow trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead in streams. Salmon under 15 inches are considered trout, except coho salmon, which are always considered salmon regardless of size.

When to fish for salmon in Oregon? ›

The Pacific Ocean off the Northern Oregon Coast provides a variety of salmon options from May through October. Whether you prefer Chinook, Coho, or are just looking for a fun day on the ocean, there are options to choose from.

Where is the best place to catch Chinook Salmon? ›

San Francisco Bay. One of the best places to fish for Chinook Salmon on the West Coast is San Francisco Bay. In the summer and fall months, you'll get the chance to chase King Salmon with a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and that sight alone should be enough to have you reaching for your rod.

Is Tillamook Bay open to salmon fishing? ›

Tillamook River and Bay, Kilchis River, Miami River, Wilson River, and Trask River‌ August 1 – November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules: Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

What is the most abundant salmon in Oregon? ›

Species of Salmon

This section will focus on chinook, coho and chum because those are the most common in Oregon.

References

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