Northwest Zone

NW Fishing

June 24, 2026

Trout season opened in the Northwest Zone streams on Friday, May 22. See the regulation booklet for limits, open areas, and bait restrictions. Cutthroat trout are present in almost all areas open to angling and sea-run cutthroat are starting to come into tidewater.

Spring Chinook are in the Lower Columbia Tributaries with a few fish being caught in Big Creek, Gnat Creek, and the Klaskanine River. Fishing has been hit and miss with moderate effort, and these small tributaries are getting low.

Spring Chinook fishing is going in Tillamook Bay, Nestucca Bay, the Trask River, Nestucca River, and Little Nestucca River. There are fish throughout the fisheries at this point. Fishing was a little slow this week in both the bays and rivers probably due to low and clear conditions; a little rain predicted for late this week should move some fresh fish in and get some holding fish back on the bite.

Summer steelhead fishing remains fair on the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers with some nice fish being caught. Fish are dispersed throughout the fisheries.

Hebo lake got a late unscheduled stocking last week and fishing was really good there late last week, there should still be plenty of trout there to provide angling opportunity.Trout stocking in the lakes has been completed for the spring. The next stockings will be evaluated for fall. There are still plenty of hold-over trout from the spring stockings and most North Coast lakes will still provide opportunity. As summer temperatures warm the higher elevation lakes that stay cooler will provide the best chances of success. Lost lake, South Lake, Hebo Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Town Lake are all good options for summer trout fishing.

Warm water fisheries for bass and sunfish are active and provide some good opportunity for weekend fishing. Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, and Vernonia pond all have decent populations of warm water species available for catching. Lake Lytle also has a good largemouth bass population, but it is very weedy making angling a challenge. Recent samplings showed that the population of bass in Cape Meares and Coffenbury are healthy with decent numbers and size of fish, however in Town Lake the population is down with low numbers remaining.

Summer steelhead are on the move in the Siletz River and fishing has been fair. Multiple batches of summer steelhead have been recycled to the lower river for additional angler opportunity since May. Recycled steelhead will have a colored tag at the base of the dorsal fin. Anglers are asked to please report tagged steelhead caught in the Siletz River to caleb.w.yann@odfw.oregon.gov with the date and general location where fish were caught to monitor recapture and harvest rates in the basin. Additional summer steelhead have been recycled to Olalla Reservoir to provide anglers additional opportunities.

Trout angling opened in many Mid Coast streams on May 22. Sea-run cutthroat should be headed upstream in many coastal streams. Anglers are reminded to be aware of daily bag limits, bait restrictions and additional angling closures.

Warmwater fisheries can be a great option this time of year. Siltcoos and Takenitch lakes can be great places to target largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bluegill. Anglers can find success by targeting the margins as fish move in for spawning. Recent surveys indicate that largemouth bass are doing well at both locations.

Many Mid Coast lakes have been stocked with hatchery rainbow trout this spring, but more are on the way. Big Creek Reservoir 1 and 2, Cleawox Lake, Devil's Lake, Thissel Pond, Woahink Lake, Carter Lake, Mercer Lake, Dune Lake, Alder Lake, Buck Lake, Sutton Lake, Olalla Reservoir, Siltcoos Lake, and Perkins Lake have all been stocked in April, May and June.

Siletz River HWY 229 is closed at approximately milepost 14 due to a large land slide covering the road. It will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.

Trout stocking:

April 27- May 8:

Devil's Lake, Vernonia Lake, Hebo Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Town Lake, Munsel Lake, Carter Lake, Sutton Lake, Thissel Pond, Cleawox Lake.

May 11- June 5:

Alder Lake, Big Creek Res 1 and 2, Buck Lake, Cape Mears Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Dune Lake, Eckman Lake, Lost Lake, Hebo Lake, South Lake, Nedonna Pond, Olalla Creek Res, Perkins Lake, Scout Lake, Thissel Pond, Town Lake.

Stocking stops after June 5 and resumes in September.

Check out 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

Gear restrictions went into effect May 1 on Three Rivers and the Trask River. See waterbody updates below and the regulation book for details.

New for 2026: Tillamook Bay and River upstream of the Hwy 131 bridge is closed to all sturgeon angling (including catch and release).

Trask hatchery has some damage to their access road, the hatchery is still open to the public, but as a result anglers and visitors alike will need to park up top and walk down.

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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, crabbing, clamming, surf perch

Trout season in the Alsea River opened May 22. Sea-run cutthroat should be making their way upstream. Check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Alsea Bay can be a great option for crabbing and bay clamming. Be sure to watch the tides and follow daily limits. For more information on crabbing and clamming, refer to the Marine recreation report. Last updated 6/24/26.

KILCHIS RIVER: Cutthroat trout

Trout season opened in the Kilchis River on May 22. There are cutthroat trout throughout Kilchis and plenty of public access off Kilchis forest road. A few sea-run cutthroat should be showing up in tidewater. Last updated 6/23/26.

LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): Spring Chinook

Spring Chinook are still in the Lower Columbia tributaries and there are fish up to the hatcheries on Big Creek, Gnat Creek, and Klaskanine River. That said, these streams are very low making angling challenging and fishing has been a little slow as a result, a little rain the end of this week could improve angling conditions. Last updated 6/23/26.

NECANICUM RIVER: Cutthroat trout

Trout season opened on the Necanicum River May 22. There are cutthroat trout throughout the Necanicum River fishery. Sea-run cutthroat should be starting to show up in tidewater.

The Highway 101 boat ramp south of Seaside will be closed to vehicle access until next fall to reduce dumping and illegal camping. A combination lock will be put back on the gate for angler access next fall usually around mid-October. Walk in access is still permitted through the summer. Last updated 6/23/26.

NEHALEM RIVER & NORTH FORK NEHALEM: Cutthroat trout

Trout season opened on the Nehalem May 22. There are cutthroat trout throughout the Nehalem basin and no shortage of places to fish for them. Sea-run cutthroat should start showing up in the bay and tidewater. Last updated 6/23/26.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: Spring Chinook, summer steelhead, cutthroat trout

Spring Chinook fishing slowed a little on the Nestucca and Little Nestucca this week. Some rain predicted for later this week should bring in some fresh fish and get holding fish back on the bite. The best fishing has been in the lower river downstream of Three Rivers the past couple weeks, but there are still fish coming into the bay and should be some fish upstream of Three Rivers as well. The Little Nestucca river should have some springers, and those fish are showing up in the river up to Stella Falls.

The Nestucca also gets a hatchery summer steelhead run, and fishing has been fair to good. The best fishing is probably between 1^st bridge (near Beaver) and Cloverdale, but there are fish in the upper river as well.

Trout season opened in the streams May 22 and there are cutthroat trout throughout the Nestucca basin. Sea-run cutthroat should be starting to show up in tidewater. Last updated 6/23/26.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: Cutthroat trout

Trout season in the Salmon River opened May 22. Sea-run cutthroat should be starting to head upstream. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 6/24/26.

SILETZ RIVER: Summer steelhead, spring Chinook, cutthroat trout

Summer steelhead are moving throughout the Siletz River. The river is back to being low and clear. There is some rain in the forecast, but it doesn't seem to amount to much on the river level forecast. Steelhead fishing has been fair, and most anglers are targeting the gorge upstream of Moonshine Park. Summer steelhead are being recycled for additional angler opportunities when available. Recycled steelhead will have a colored tag at the base of the dorsal fin. Anglers are asked to please report tagged steelhead caught in the Siletz River to caleb.w.yann@odfw.oregon.gov with the date and general location fish were caught. The bank access in the upper gorge offers a unique and often remote fishing experience for anglers looking to get away from crowds.

The Siletz is currently open for spring Chinook (April 1- July 31). Trout season in the Siletz opened May 22, and some sea-run cutthroat should start to become available in the lower river. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. As a reminder, the Siletz River and tributaries upstream of Siletz Falls are closed to angling.

A landslide on HWY 229 has resulted in a road closure at approximately milepost 14.5. HWY 229 will be closed for the unforeseeable future until crews are able to safely remove the debris from the roadway.

As a general reminder for Anglers: Help to protect boating opportunities by maximizing distance from bank anglers and other boats. Safely row or motor around anglers and other boats and avoid motoring nearshore and in shallow areas. Last updated 6/24/26.

SIUSLAW RIVER: Cutthroat trout, rockfish, surf perch, crabbing

Trout season in the Siuslaw River opened May 22. Sea-run cutthroat should be making their way upstream. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Jetties can be a great place to target rockfish and surf perch during the spring. For more information on surf perch, crabbing, rockfish and lingcod, refer to the Marine Recreation Report. Last update 6/24/26.

THREE RIVERS: Spring Chinook, summer steelhead, cutthroat trout

Three Rivers gets runs of both hatchery spring Chinook and hatchery summer steelhead and both species are in the river. That said angling conditions are challenging as this small trib is very low, a little rain predicted for late this week should bring in some fresh fish.

Youth angling (ages 17 and under) only June 1 to July 15 from Cedar Creek Hatchery deadline to marker below Gauldy Mountain Road Bridge.

Anti-Snagging Gear Restrictions are in effect May 1 to July 15 (See page 18 and page 30 of the regulation booklet). Trout angling opened in streams on May 22 and there are cutthroat trout in Three Rivers. Last updated 6/16/26.

TILLAMOOK BAY: Spring Chinook, marine bottom fish, surf perch, cutthroat trout.

Spring Chinook fishing is sporadic but fair in Tillamook Bay. The lower bay slowed this week with only 5 Chinook checked for over 100 anglers by the port samplers in Garibaldi. No new reports from the upper bay out of Memaloose boat ramp this week, but there are definitely fish there.

Spring can be a good time to target rockfish off the Tillamook Bay jetties (the North jetty provides the only bank angling this spring as the South jetty is still undergoing repairs/construction). Ling cod fishing tends to slow down as we get closer to summer but there should still be some around. Concentrate on slack tides for the best odds of success. Jigs, bait, and shrimp flies are all good methods.

No reports of surfperch yet but they should start moving into the bay to spawn and will provide some fishing opportunities through early July.

Trout angling opened in Tillamook Bay May 22, and sea-run cutthroat are starting to show up in tidewater. Last updated 6/23/26.

TRASK RIVER: Spring Chinook, cutthroat trout

Spring Chinook are in the Trask, and fishing has been fair in the lower river (mostly below the hatchery) although it did slow down this week probably due to low flows and clear water. There are still some fish getting caught at the hatchery hole and Loren's drift. Fishing has been slower further upriver, but there should be a few fish moving above the hatchery. Some rain predicted for late this week should bring in some fresh fish and get holding fish back on the bite. The Trask does NOT get a hatchery summer steelhead release but is known to get some strays out of the Wilson River, and it sounds like a few of them have been getting caught. There has been an ongoing problem with litter at the hatchery hole, please pack out any trash you bring in.

Angling is restricted to fly fishing or bobber fishing from the marker at Loren's Drift (RM 9) up to Cedar Creek Boat slide (RM 10.9) from May 1 to July 31 (See Bobber Fishing Rule on page 18 of the regulation book).

Trout angling opened in the Trask basin May 22 and there are cutthroat trout throughout the fishery, which includes the North, South, and East forks (no bait allowed in the forks between May 22-Aug 31) and sea-run cutthroat should be showing up in tidewater.

Trask hatchery has some damage to the access road so anglers and visitors will need to park up top and walk down. Last updated 6/23/26.

WILSON RIVER: Summer steelhead, cutthroat trout.

Summer steelhead are in the Wilson River with fish getting caught. Fish are throughout the fishery (up to the South Fork). There is plenty of public access off Highway 6. Some rain late this week should get some fish moving and make holding fish more active. Fishing early morning will up the odds of success, especially as summer swimming pressure picks up.

Trout angling opened in streams May 22 and there are cutthroat trout throughout the Wilson River. There are no hatchery spring Chinook releases on the Wilson River. Last updated 6/23/26.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: Cutthroat trout, Chinook salmon, rockfish, surf perch