Northwest Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
March 28, 2024
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Best bets for weekend fishing
- Winter steelhead fishing is still fair to good on the North Coast. We are getting heavy rain today and tomorrow, but then go back to a dry pattern. The rivers are predicted to peak Thursday night and then start dropping, which should put them in good shape for angling by the weekend. The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers are the best chance of catching hatchery steelhead but there are still some available in the North Fork Nehalem as well. Many of the smaller tributaries and upper most reaches in the North Coast Rivers close to fishing April 1, so check the regs before heading out after Sunday.
- Most of the North Coast lakes will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Water conditions and temperatures are good for fishing in the lakes 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 after the rains and snow we got last weekend. Going into our upcoming week end it's likely the fishery will stay fair.
- Several of our Mid Coast Basins close this weekend (March 31) 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. The surf going into the weekend should be decent for surf perch most of the weekend. You can also check out some near shore groudfish and cast from the jetties in Newport or Cliffs in Depoe! Head out a few hours before high tide to scout your spot!
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked the week of March 25:
Devil's Lake
Recently stocked:
Coffenbury Lake, Sunset Lake, Spring Lake, Vernonia Lake, Lost Lake, Smith Lake, South Lake, Tahoe Lake, Hebo Lake, Lytle Lake, Olalla Creek Reservoir, Cullaby Lake, Nedonna Pond, Loren's Pond, Town Lake, Cape Meares Lake
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
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 this storm. 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 been fair the past few weeks. The first component of the run has come in and as we move further into March fish are still being caught. The Alsea Hatchery holes have been providing some excellent bank fishing for some of these fish. There are hatchery steelhead open for retention in the Alsea Basin.
The upper Alsea floats have also been producing a decent number of fish as a new batch of fish works its way up into the system. Newer fish have been filtering into the system, as the water stays cold and clear. The bite is definitely slowing down as we have passed the peak of the season but fish are definitely still being caught!
After the rains we got last week, the river should see some more fish moving throughout the basin, and levels will be low and clear going into this weekend. The weekend will be clear and provide some excellent fishing conditions. The rain throughout the week will provide fish some maneuver space and move throughout the basin.
Check the regulations before you head out this weekend! Last updated 3/28/24.
KILCHIS RIVER: winter steelhead
The Kilchis is just starting to rise but should be fishable all week. If the predictions are correct Friday should be prime conditions as it starts to drop. Peak winter steelhead spawning in the Kilchis is usually in mid-April, so there are still plenty of fish around. There should be good opportunity with the catch mostly consisting of wild steelhead (catch-and-release only).
Tillamook County made repairs to the Mapes Creek (logging bridge) boat ramp and it looks good and is usable. Last updated 3/28/24.
LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): winter steelhead
There's not much going on in the Lower Columbia tributaries right now. The hatchery steelhead returns in Big Creek, Gnat Creek and Klaskanine River are over for the most part, and spring Chinook aren't showing up yet (although there had been one). Last updated 3/28/24.
MIAMI RIVER: winter steelhead
The Miami will be fishable all week, with Friday being the best conditions if predictions are correct. Wild fish are present and provide catch-and-release opportunity. The Miami River closes for angling on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles so Sunday is the last day for this river. It reopens on May 22. Last updated 3/28/24.
NECANICUM RIVER: winter steelhead
The hatchery steelhead run on the Necanicum River is nearly over, and there will be very few still around. There are wild steelhead throughout the fishery that provide catch-and-release opportunity, and fishing has been fair to good. The Necanicum will be fishable all week with Friday and Saturday probably being the best conditions. The Necanicum River closes for fishing on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles so Sunday is the last day for this river. It will reopen on May 22.
The boat ramp on the Necanicum at Hwy 101 has been gated to prevent illegal camping and dumping, but anglers can call the Tillamook office at (503) 842 – 2741 to receive the combination to the lock and access to the ramp. Anglers will need to provide their ODFW hunter/anger ID number to receive access. Last updated 3/28/24.
NEHALEM RIVER AND BAY: winter steelhead
The Nehalem has good catch-and-release opportunities for wild steelhead throughout the fishery. It is just starting to rise and will likely get high and off color by Friday before starting to drop. It should be back in shape by early next week. The Nehalem River upstream of the Hwy 26 bridge at Elsie closes for fishing on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles so Sunday is the last day for this portion of the river. It will reopen on May 22 for trout season. Last updated 3/28/24.
River levels and predictions for the Nehalem are available here.
NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: winter steelhead
The North Fork should be fishable all week and in decent shape for the weekend. The early returning hatchery steelhead that make up the majority of the run are done, but there are still wild broodstock hatchery steelhead coming in and being caught. There's also catch-and-release opportunity for wild steelhead. Last updated 3/2/24.
NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead
Winter steelhead fishing picked up the past week on the Nestucca with some good catches being reported. It is on the rise and may get off color, but should be fishable over the weekend and in prime shape by early next week. There is good opportunity for hatchery steelhead and catch and release opportunity for wild steelhead throughout the fishery. The upper Nestucca River, upstream of Moon Creek, closes for fishing on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles so Sunday is the last day for this portion of the river. It will reopen on May 22. Last updated 3/28/24.
River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.
SALMON RIVER: steelhead
The Salmon River has remained steady and fair over the past few weeks. As the river levels dropped and cleared out, the fishing certainly picked up. Floating from Red Bridge down is a great opportunity, as well as bank casting further up in the basin. More fish have been caught in the past few weeks. The water has been cold and clear and with more rain coming this week moving into a clear weekend should bode well for fishing conditions!
The hatchery has a few holes for bank casting however it is abit lower in the system. Moving East on HWY 18 will provide some excellent bank opportunities in the upper basin for better success! This weekened will be the last opportunity for steelhead retention on the Salmon River for this season!
Check your regulations before you head out. Last updated 03/28/24.
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 clearwith rains coming earlier in the week.
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 3/28/24.
SIUSLAW RIVER: steelhead
The Siuslaw is open for retention of hatchery winter steelhead. Fish have moved higher up into the system and it's been a fair fishery so far. Folks are catching fish throughout the basin as fish are moving through. The bite has remained fair but higher up into the system anglers should see some success on fish coming through!
Over the past several weeks the bite has been slowing down in the Siuslaw basin. Although its been a decent fishery up to this point, it's definitely slowing down. This weekend will be the last weekend for the season for the Steelhead fishery!
Trout fishing will reopen May 22. Last updated 3/28/24.
THREE RIVERS: winter steelhead
Three Rivers should be fishable throughout the week, although it may get off color by Friday before starting to drop. Expect fair opportunity for hatchery steelhead as well as catch-and-release opportunity for wild fish. Last updated 3/28/24.
TRASK RIVER: winter steelhead
The Trask River is on the rise and may get a little off color by Friday morning, but if the predictions are correct it should be back in perfect angling condition by the weekend. 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 close for angling on April 1 to protect spawning fish and out-migrating juveniles, so Sunday is the last day for the forks. They will reopen on May 22 for trout season. Last updated 3/28/24.
Trask river levels and predictions are available here.
WILSON RIVER: winter steelhead
The Wilson is on the rise and may get a little off color, although it is not predicted to go that high. It should be back in prime angling condition by the weekend. Fishing has been fair to good on the Wilson this year and there is good opportunity for both hatchery and wild steelhead (catch-and-release only for wilds). Last Updated 3/28/24.
Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.
YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead
Winter steelhead will be entering the system and like our other basins will likely take advantage of the recent rains to move quickly upriver. It's been slow season on the Yaquina. This week will be the last week for steelhead retention on the Big Elk. Be sure to check your regulations before heading out! Last updated 3/28/24.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of December 8, 2023.
The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.
As part of the wild coho salmon aggregate bag limit, no more than 5 wild coho salmon may be harvested per year in the Northwest and Southwest Zones with open wild coho salmon fisheries. Wild coho jacks may only be retained on days open to adult wild coho retention.
Hatchery steelhead, hatchery coho salmon, pink salmon, and sockeye salmon, may be retained as part of the adult and jack salmon daily bag limit in all Northwest Zone waters that are currently open to angling for Chinook salmon or steelhead, except as specified in Exceptions.
Aggregate: The total number of fish or shellfish in a bag limit. Generally used where several species make up a combined bag limit, or where a single species bag limit is set for the combined harvest from a specified group of water bodies.
For more information contact your local ODFW office:
- Tillamook North Coast Watershed District Office (503) 842-2741 (north of the Salmon River).
- Newport District Office Annex (541) 812-8689 (Salmon River south to Umpqua Basin).