Additional days for Columbia River salmon fishery announced

Dates: Chinook retention allowed Saturday, April 11 – Monday, April 13.

2026 Winter Steelhead validation required thru April 30

2026 Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead Validation is required to target steelhead Dec. 1-April 30.

Silver Creek Falls

Recreation Report

April 9, 2026

ACCESS A REPORT

ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing, clamming, and wildlife viewing.

April 9, 2026

Spring has sprung! Keep in mind, as we launch into warm-weather fishing:

Spring Chinook reopens below Bonneville Dam for three days beginning April 11

With the additional days, the following regulations are in effect: 
Dates: Chinook retention allowed Saturday, April 11 – Monday, April 13 
Daily adult bag limit: Two adult hatchery salmonids (Chinook or steelhead) per day, but only one may be a Chinook. 
Open area: Buoy 10 line upstream to Beacon Rock plus only the Oregon and Washington banks from Beacon Rock upstream to the Bonneville Dam deadline. For exact boundaries see the ODFW Recreation Report for the Columbia Zone. Shad may also be retained.

 

Clean boats and other watercraft after use to prevent transmission of non-native species. ODFW staff at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station found golden mussels for the first time on a watercraft that was being transported from the Sacramento River Delta to Oregon on April 4. Mussels feed heavily on microscopic food sources essential for native species and sport fish. They also damage irrigation and hydropower systems and degrade water quality.

 

Drought is impacting stocking schedules. Some areas are already too warm or shallow to support hatchery fish. Fish intended for those waterways will be diverted to other suitable lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs. Check with your local ODFW office for the most updated stocking information.

Spring bear controlled hunt season opened April 1: Remember to check in and report your harvest. View tips for your hunt area in the 2026 spring bear forecast online.

Gobble up the insider tips before spring turkey hunting season opens April 15! 2026 spring turkey forecast now available online.

It's not too late to register for an ODFW education Spring Turkey Hunting Workshop. Sign up now to bag a bird this spring!

Mandatory Report Reminders: 

Some wildlife areas remain closed to the public or closed to vehicles until April 15. Check Wildlife viewing on the weekly recreation report.

Reminder that a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the South Coast from Dec. 1-April 30. A wild steelhead harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

  • As a general reminder for Anglers: Maximize distance from bank anglers and other boats. Safely row or motor around anglers and other boats and avoid motoring nearshore and in shallow areas!
  • Trout stocking trucks are transporting fun and excitement to a lake, pond, or reservoir near you. Plan your next fishing adventure with family and friends.
  • Grab a shovel, rake, and your shellfish license. Butter, cockle and gaper clams are ready and waiting.

Northwest:

  • Many small streams, upper river reaches, and tributaries closed to steelhead angling on April 1, check the sport fishing regulations for the waterbody you plan to fish before heading out in April.
  • Steelhead fishing on the North Coast has slowed down; the rivers are low and clear and we are towards the tail end of the run. That said there are still fish around and a few being caught. The Nestucca, Wilson, and North Fork Nehalem will still be the best choices for finding hatchery fish while other basins (including the Little Nestucca, Trask, Kilchis, and Nehalem) all have catch and release opportunities for wild steelhead.
  • It's trout time! Most North Coast lakes received the first stocking of hatchery rainbow trout in mid-March and Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake, and Vernonia pond are got another stocking last week. Water conditions are still good in most of the lakes (Lake Lytle is weedy), and the trout should be hungry and ready to bite. See the stocking schedule link below for specific areas being stocked. (South Lake in Tillamook County was not stocked in March due to numerous downed trees on the access road. It will be stocked with a double load the week of April 13.)
  • Winter steelhead fishing on the Mid Coast has been fair despite low water conditions. Last week's rain was a bit underwhelming and didn't raise river levels much. With a lot of anglers shifting focus from winter steelhead, there's still a shot at landing a late season steelhead in the Alsea or Siletz as fish push higher into the system with less angling pressure. Double check the regulations before heading out and be aware of seasonal angling closures - some streams closed April 1!
  • 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.

Southwest:

  • Trout stocking has opened opportunities for early success in local lakes and ponds!

Columbia River:

Willamette:

  • The Willamette River and other water bodies are increasing in activity.
  • Several waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week.
  • Check the Family Fishing event schedule and plan your next outdoor adventure this spring.

Central:

  • For the first time since 2018, there will be a spring Chinook season on the Deschutes River from May 5-20! More info
  • Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring break angling opportunities.
  • Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm is fishing well with bull trout up to 31" being caught.
  • The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
  • Anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
  • Low snowpack is allowing early access to lakes that are typically inaccessible in spring including North Twin and South Twin Lakes, Davis Lake, Crescent Lake, Cultus Lake, Lava Lake, Little Lava Lake, and Sprague and Century Gravel Ponds. The Lava Lake Campground and boat launch remained closed and access to Lava Lake is limited to small craft, kayaks and float tubes at this time.

Northeast:

  • Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake.
  • Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught.
  • Steelhead fishing is good on the Umatilla River.
  • Trout can still be found on Willow Creek Reservoir.

Snake:

  • Bass and trout can be caught downstream of Hells Canyon Dam.
  • As the weather warms, fishing for bass, perch, and crappie will get good in Hells Canyon Reservoirs

Southeast:

  • Lake of the Woods will be stocked this week with trophy and legal rainbow trout.Best fishing for wild, native trout in the Klamath Basin will be the Klamath River.
  • The Upper Williamson River above Kirk Road Bridge is now open year-round. Nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
  • Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
  • Bank fishing for rainbow trout has been good at Ana Reservoir.
  • The Cascade Ramp at Hyatt is open. This year at Howard Prairie, the Grizzly, Willow Point and Klum Landing ramps will be available for the first time in many years. Biologists expect a temporary boost in productivity at Howard and Hyatt as large stretches of inundation zone are rewatered and producing aquatic food items again. Trout should be fat and happy!

Marine

  • Garibaldi: Anglers landed just over 2.5 rockfish on average, mostly black and yellowtail rockfishes. Lingcod landings were fair at 1 fish per person.
  • Depoe Bay: Anglers landed just over 3 rockfish, with a mix of black, deacon, canary, and yellowtail rockfishes. Lingcod catches were decent with 1.25 fish per angler.
  • Newport: Anglers landed around 3 rockfish on average, mostly black rockfish. Lingcod was fair with 1 fish per angler.
  • Charleston: Anglers landed an average of 3 rockfish. Lingcod was good with around 2 fish per angler.
  • Brookings: Anglers caught 2.5 rockfish on average. Lingcod was decent with just under 1 fish per angler.

Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

Hunter Education: Hunter safety conventional courses and field days are available now--Sign up now and get ahead of the game for the 2026 season!

Learn to Hunt: There's still time to gobble up some new skills this spring--Register now for Spring Turkey Hunting Workshops.

Angler Education: Fly-Fishing Workshop is open for registration, learn the basics to hook your next big fish!