Update: Dangerous algae bloom in Barnes Unit

ODFW is urging waterfowl hunters to use extreme caution with their dogs after laboratory results revealed high levels of microcystin in a water sample collected from

Mussel harvest closed Cape Blanco to CA border

Mussel harvesting is closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. 

Spencer creek closes to fishing Sept. 30 to protect salmon

Sept. 30 will be the last day to fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River will be closed as of Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon.

Recreation Report

Northwest Zone

Recreation Report Regulation Updates

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Crooked River rainbow trout
This 18-inch rainbow was caught on a leech pattern.
Crooked River rainbow trout -Photo by Mike Belcher-

NW Fishing

Dec. 4, 2025

Best bets for weekend fishing

  • Winter steelhead are starting to show up in the North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum River, and Lower Columbia tributaries. These streams get early returning hatchery steelhead and will provide the best opportunity for catching winter steelhead in early December.
  • Hatchery coho are still coming in on the Trask River and North Fork Nehalem River. Many fish are getting past prime, but there are still some in good condition available and will be throughout the month of December. (There is no retention of wild coho allowed.)
  • There are still hold over trout from last spring's stockings that are available to catch in the some of the lakes. Hebo Lake, South Lake, Town Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Lost Lake should provide the best opportunity.
  • Fall Chinook remains fair on most of our midcoast basins. As we progress towards the end of our season, the bite has generally slowed down for Fall chinook and as we move into the close of the seaosn it will get slower as fish move on to their spanwing grounds!
  • Wild coho retention is now closed on the Siletz, Yaquina, and Alsea Rivers!
  • Wild coho retention is open on both Siltcoos and Takenitch lakes. This time of year is usually when the fishery starts to really pick up and the bite has been fair so far. Fish are able to access both lakes via the fish ladders and have been coming in over the past few weeks!

Trout stocking:

Regular stocking will resume in Feb. 2026.

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

Sign up for the latest information on boater access

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st on the Nestucca, Tillamook basin rivers (Tillamook, Trask, Wilson, Kilchis, and Miami), Nehalem, and Necanicum. No retention or targeting of Chinook salmon is allowed the remainder of the year.

Catch and release fisheries for chum salmon closed November 15th on the Kilchis and Miami Rivers.

There is no retention of wild coho in Nestucca, Tillamook, or Nehalem rivers and bays. The wild coho fisheries in these areas closed October 27.

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: Fall Chinook, hatchery winter steelhead

Wild coho retention is now closed on the Alsea River! Fall Chinook is still open on the Alsea River. The bite continues to be fair though most fish have moved up and out of tidewater! There are likely fish still lower in the system but for best bets try higher this weekend for the opportunity to fight a Chinook! There are some bright fish coming into the system still even this late into the season,

November 1st hatchery steelhead opened on the Alsea River. Though its early in the season it isn't unheard of to catch an early winter steelhead this time of year. The early bite is starting to pick up for winter steelhead. The Alsea river does have a hatchery component to its winter steelhead run offering additional opportunities for harvest!

Last updated 12/02/25.

KILCHIS RIVER: winter steelhead

It is still early for winter steelhead on the Kilchis River; the run peaks January through March. There may be a few fish around in December, especially in the latter half of the month, but numbers will be low. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis River, so when the fishery does get going it will be mostly catch and release for wild steelhead.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year.

The catch and release chum fishery closed November 15th.

Cutthroat trout season closed November 1. Last updated 12/2/25.

LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): hatchery steelhead

The Lower Columbia tributaries should have some hatchery steelhead coming back. Klaskanine has reported some showing up at the trap. The hatchery Chinook and coho runs are winding down and what fish remain will be in poor condition. Last updated 12/2/25.

NECANICUM RIVER: winter steelhead

The Necanicum River gets a run of early returning hatchery winter steelhead (North Fork Nehalem stock)) and are off to a good start. There should be some fish in the Necanicum. There is good bank access at Peterson Point (off Hwy 101), Drake access (Hwy 26 and Sugarloaf Mainline) and Klootchie County Park (off Hwy 26). For those looking to get an early winter steelhead the Necanicum will be one of the best chances.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. Cutthroat trout season closed November 1.

The Highway 101 boat ramp south of Seaside has the combination lock back on it. Anglers can call the Tillamook office at (503) 842-2741 and provide their Hunter/Angler ID number to receive the combo. Last updated 12/2/25.

NEHALEM RIVER: winter steelhead

No retention of wild coho is allowed. The wild coho fishery closed October 27.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. Winter steelhead fishing on the mainstem Nehalem won't really get started until late December. The run on the mainstem peaks January through March. There are no hatchery releases in the mainstem so when the fishery does get going it will be mostly catch and release for wild steelhead.

Cutthroat trout season closed November 1. Last updated 12/2/25.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: hatchery coho; winter steelhead.

The North Fork Nehalem hatchery is getting hatchery winter steelhead back and there are some fish being caught.For those wanting to get an early winter steelhead the North Fork provides one of the best opportunities.

Hatchery coho are also still returning to the North Fork Nehalem and while many fish are getting dark, there will still be some fish in good condition well into December. Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year.

 

Last updated 12/2/25.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead

No retention of wild coho allowed. The wild coho fishery closed on October 27.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. Winter steelhead should start showing up this month, but numbers will be low this early in the season. The run on the Nestucca peaks January through March.

Cutthroat trout season closed November1. Last updated 12/2/25.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: Fall Chinook, winter steelhead

Like its neighbors the Fall Chinook fishery on the Salmon river is winding down to a close. The bite was fair overall, and some fish are still to be found in the upper reaches of the fishery but for the most part fall chinook fishing is slowing down. There is no wild coho fishery on the Salmon River!

Winter steelhead will start moving into the basin, though it is still early it is likely fish will be moving into the basin in the coming weeks!

Check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 12/02/25.

SILETZ RIVER: Fall Chinook winter steelhead

Fall Chinook continues to be fair on the Siletz, though like its neighbors is slowing down as we progress towards the end of the season. Folks have been fishing higher up in the system down through the town loop, and chinook are still around but more than likely starting to get skunky!

Wild Coho retention on the Siletz is now closed! If you hook into wild coho, please remember to practice good catch and release tactics!

Winter steelhead are also entering into the Siletz! Though still early in the season, some early fish are being caught throughout the system!

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 12/02/25.

SIUSLAW RIVER: Fall Chinook, winter steelhead

The Siuslaw is still open for Fall Chinook! The Siuslaw has had a decent catch so far, with folks having some success in the lower river. As we get further into the season the bite is slowing and fewer chromers are around. Like its neighbors, for the most part fish have moved up and out of the lower stretches of the Siuslaw and are moving further up into the basin. As a general reminder: Lake Creek Basin is CLOSED to all Salmon Angling!

Like its neighbors, the Siuslaw is starting to see winter steelhead moving into the system, though it's still early and the bite won't pick up until later in the winter, fish are around and offer a fun opportunity! Last updated 12/02/25.

THREE RIVERS: Winter steelhead

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. No retention of wild coho is allowed.

Cutthroat trout season closed November 1.

Winter steelhead should start showing up this month, but numbers will be low this early. The run on Three Rivers peaks January through March. Last updated 12/2/25.

TRASK RIVER: hatchery coho; winter steelhead

There is no retention of wild coho.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. Hatchery coho are running on the Trask River and while many fish are getting dark there are still fish available in good condition and will be well into December. A few winter steelhead have been caught on the Trask River already, but numbers will be low this early in the season. The steelhead run on the Trask peaks January through March. There are no hatchery steelhead releases on the Trask so it is primarily a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. Last updated 12/2/25.

WILSON RIVER: winter steelhead

No retention of wild coho is allowed.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year. Winter steelhead should start showing up on the Wilson River this month and a few have already been caught. Numbers will be low this early in the season as the run on the Wilson peaks January through March. Last updated 12/2/25.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: Fall Chinook, winter steelhead

Fall Chinook is open on the Yaquina but slower than most of its neighbors. Fish are certainly around in the basin, Chinook are moving further upstream, and folks have had some decent luck higher up in the system! As we progress further towards the end of the season, the bite continues to slow down as fish move higher up into the system to spawn.

Like its neighbors, the Yaquina is starting to see winter steelhead moving into the system, though it's still early and the bite won't pick up until later in the winter, fish are around and offer a fun opportunity!

Wild coho retention is now closed on the Yaquina . Last updated 12/02/25.