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 23, 2026

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ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

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

April 23, 2026

 

Spring turkey hunting season now open until May 31! Purchase your tag at huntfishoregon.com and view tips for your hunt area in the 2026 spring turkey forecast now available online.

Reminder the lower Columbia River is now closed to spring Chinook fishing. More opportunity may be added after a run update in mid-May.

Controlled spring bear hunting season open until May 31: Remember to check in and report your harvest. View tips for your hunt area in the 2026 spring bear forecast online.

Clean boats and other watercraft after use to prevent transmission of non-native species. ODFW 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 on food sources essential for native species and sport fish. They damage irrigation and hydropower systems and degrade water quality.

Drought impact on 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.

Plan your next adventure with one of many wildlife viewing opportunities in 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 have been transporting fish 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. Low tides make it easier to dig razor, butter, cockle and gaper clams.

Northwest:

  • Steelhead fishing on the North Coast is winding down but anglers are still catching a few brights, and effort is light this time of year. The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers will be the best choices for finding hatchery fish while other basins (including the Trask, Kilchis, and Nehalem) still have catch and release opportunities for wild steelhead. Many wild steelhead are spawning this time of year so try to avoid targeting spawning fish and watch for redds (gravel spawning nest) to give these fish the best chance of success.
  • It's trout time! Most North Coast lakes received the first hatchery rainbow trout stocking in mid-March. Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake, and Vernonia pond were last stocked a second time the week of March 30th. Town Lake, South Lake, Hebo Lake, North Lake, Tahoe Lake, Nedonna Pond, Lake Lytle, Cape Meares Lake, and Loren's Pond received a second stocking the week of April 13th. Water conditions are still good in most of the lakes (Lake Lytle is weedy), and the trout should be hungry and ready to bite.
  • South Lake in Tillamook County was not stocked in March due to numerous downed trees on the access road. It was stocked with a double load the week of April 13. Lake Lytle is getting weedy already; if you're planning to fish there do some research on weedless fishing rigs to up the odds of success and reduce frustration! There is active logging on the South Fork Trask Road which leads to Tahoe Lake, anglers accessing the lake from Monday – Friday should use caution. North Lake was NOT stocked this spring because of extremely low water levels.
  • It's not too early to be thinking about summer steelhead, and the Siletz can be a great option. The much-needed rain got some fish on the move last week, and anglers reported mixed catches of late winter steelhead and early summer steelhead on the same trip on the Siletz. The rivers should remain in good shape for anglers looking to get out this weekend. Double check the regulations before heading out and be aware of seasonal angling closures - some streams closed April 1!
  • Many Mid Coast lakes have already been stocked with hatchery rainbow trout this spring, but more are on the way! Big Creek Reservoir 1&2, Cleawox 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 during the month of April. Munsel Lake and Devils Lake will be stocked this week.

Southwest:

  • Trolling at Lost Creek and Applegate Reservoirs should be very good this weekend.
  • Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs will be full of legal-size rainbow trout and holdover trout should be good sized this year. However, drought conditions could impact these opportunities.

Columbia River:

  • The lower Columbia River is now closed to spring Chinook fishing. More opportunity may be added after a run update in mid-May. See the fishing regulations update page for current information.

Willamette:

  • Spring Chinook fishing in the Willamette River should continue to improve. Catch rates have been best recently from Lake Oswego to Willamette Falls.
  • Several waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week.
  • Check the Family Fishing event schedule and plan your next outdoor adventure this spring.

Central:

  • Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring angling opportunities.
  • Anglers are eagerly awaiting the Deschutes Lake (Odell, Crane Prairie, & Wickiup) opener on April 22. Wickiup Reservoir is 92% full and ODFW fish biologists anticipate an excellent kokanee season.
  • 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.
  • Fall River recently received its first stocking of 2026 and anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
  • 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:

  • Catch bass and trout downstream from Hells Canyon Dam.
  • As the weather warms, fishing improves for bass, perch, and crappie 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 early due to lack of snow. This year at Howard Prairie, the Grizzly, Willow Point and Klum Landing ramps will be available. Contact Jackson County parks for details. 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, but these waterbodies are vulnerable to drought later in the season.

Marine

  • PFMC adopted ocean salmon seasons at their meeting in Portland. These proposals are pending final approval by the Commission on April 24 and U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
  • The recreational all-salmon except coho season from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border will continue through Oct. 31 from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain and through Aug. 31 from Humbug Mountain to the OR/CA border. The daily bag limit is two salmon.
  • From Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border, mark-selective coho retention is allowed June 6 – Aug. 23 or until the 47,600 quota is reached. An all-salmon season will occur from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain for the month of September with a 27,500 non-mark-selective coho quota.

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: Register for one of several skills classes to up your game before hunting season. View weekly list.