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Northwest Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
July 10, 2024
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Best bets for weekend fishing
- Spring Chinook fishing is starting to wind down on the North Coast but there are still fish around and the opportunity to catch them. Nestucca River, Little Nestucca River, and Trask River have hatchery spring Chinook throughout the fisheries.
- Spring trout stocking in the North Coast lakes has been completed but there are still trout available. Water temperatures are getting warm and many lakes are getting weedy. Higher elevation lakes will probably have cooler water and therefore more active trout.
- Coastal cutthroat trout are present in rivers throughout the coast range, and sea-run cutthroat are starting to show up in tidewater. Be sure to check regulations for open areas and bait restrictions.
- Summer steelhead are in the Nestucca and Wison Rivers, but fishing has been a little slow.
- Warmwater fishing in the North Coast lakes is in full swing but the lakes are getting weedy. Using weedless set ups will up the odds of success and may reduce some frustration. Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Lake Lytle, Town Lake and Vernonia Pond all have warmwater species and fishing opportunity.
- "Summer Chinook" should be starting to show up in Nehalem Bay.
- Summer temps and heat waves have been racking the coast as well as the valley. If you do end up out enjoying the coast rivers this weekend, please practice both safe fish handling and respect the public areas you are in.
- Summer steelhead and spring Chinook have picked up on the Midcoast! It was a slower start but we are seeing more and more fish being caught in the Siletz basin. Fish are being caught anywhere between the Town Loop and the deadline, with lots of fresh chrome fish in the gorge! We have recycled several loads of hatchery summer steelhead back into the Siletz Basin the last two weeks. We did several additional loads this week leading into the weekend (13-14 July). The fish are marked with a floy tag and will continue to provide excellent opportunity!
- Lakes up and down the Mid Coast are starting to see weed growth with the rising temperatures. Fish are still in the lakes but may be a bit more frustrating pulling in weeds!
Trout stocking
Spring stocking is done for the season. Some stocking will resume in September.
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
5 tips for fishing in hot water
With temperatures soaring to near 100 degrees this weekend, fish will start feeling the heat. Give them a break by following these warm weather fishing guidelines.
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
Trout fishing is back open on the Alsea! As we head into mid-July waters are low and clear and provide excellent opportunity for trout fishing. Folks who have been out have had decent success catching cutthroat of various sizes. Last updated 7/10/24.
LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: spring Chinook
The Little Nestucca River gets a release of hatchery spring Chinook and those fish are upriver as far as Stella Falls. Fishing first light and last light will be the best chance to get fish, that have been holding for a while, to bite. Last updated 7/3/24.
LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): spring Chinook
Spring Chinook fishing continues to wind down in the lower Columbia tributaries. There are still a few fish returning to Big Creek and some opportunity on these basins but overall, numbers are low and fishing is slow. Last updated 7/10/24.
KILCHIS RIVER: cutthroat trout
Fishing for cutthroat trout should be fair to good throughout the river. Be stealthy in the clear water, use light line and subtle terminal presentations, and target early morning and late afternoon. No bait is allowed upstream of tidewater May 22-Aug. 31. Last updated 7/3/24.
NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout
Trout fishing should be fair to good. Be stealthy in the clear water, use light line and subtle terminal presentations, and target early morning and late afternoon. No bait is allowed above tidewater May 22-Aug 31. Last updated 7/3/24.
NEHALEM RIVER: Chinook, cutthroat trout
The Nehalem gets an early component of the fall Chinook run sometimes referred to as "summer Chinook" and those fish should be showing up this month. So far effort has been light, and we haven't heard many reports of fish being caught.
There are cutthroat trout throughout the Nehalem basin and sea-run cutthroat trout are in the tidewater with some nice fish being caught recently. Last updated 7/10/24.
NESTUCCA RIVER: summer steelhead, spring Chinook, cutthroat trout
Spring Chinook fishing is slow on the Nestucca River but there are fish throughout the fishery. Cedar Creek hatchery has recycled a few spring Chinook. These fish are marked with a hole punch in the operculum (gill cover); if you catch one, we'd love to hear about it. Please report it to Cedar Creek hatchery or to the District office at (503)842-2741.
Summer steelhead are in the Nestucca and there are some fish being caught although it's been a little slow. Fish should be throughout the fishery (up to Elk Creek).
Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good, with fish spread through the river system. Last updated 7/10/24.
River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.
SALMON RIVER: steelhead
The Salmon River is open for trout fishing! Like its neighbors it's been a slower start, but folks are starting to catch some fish. Early mornings or later afternoons are the best times to hit the system. A bit further upstream where the water is more shaded may offer better opportunity.
Check your regulations before you head out. Last updated 7/10/24.
SILETZ RIVER: summer steelhead, spring Chinook
The Siletz is definitely picking up steam. With the temperatures finally on the rise, folks have been catching lots of springers and summers.
We have recycled several loads of hatchery summer steelhead back into the system for additional opportunity. We recycled several loads over the past two weeks and more still this week. Lots of fish should be found in the basin going into this weekend.
Spring Chinook fishing has been going relatively strong. We are starting to see more and more being caught, even some reports of fish being caught higher up in the gorge although the deadline is lower. As temperatures increase, please remember to practice safe handling techniques and keep those fish wet! As temps increase best practices would be trying your best to not remove the fish out of the water no matter how tempting a good photo opt could be!
Trout fishing reopened May 22. Last updated 7/10/24.
SIUSLAW RIVER: steelhead
The Siuslaw is open for trout fishing! Like its neighbors throughout the Mid Coast, fish are moving around the basin. Not a ton of reports of fish being caught but again trying in early morning or later afternoon is best. Last updated 7/10/24.
THREE RIVERS: spring Chinook; summer steelhead
The Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction went into effect on Three Rivers on May 1. Leader length must be between 18 and 36 inches and only one single point hook 3/8 inch gap or less may be used. See Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction Rules on page 18 of the regulation booklet.
Three Rivers from the mouth to the hatchery deadline will close to fishing on July 16 and remain closed until Oct. 1.
The hatchery hole on Three Rivers, from Cedar Creek Hatchery deadline to the marker below Gauldy Mountain Road bridge is youth fishing (ages 17 and under) only June 1 to July 15.
Three Rivers has some spring Chinook and summer steelhead showing up, but overall, fishing has been slow. Last updated 7/10/24.
TILLAMOOK BAY: spring Chinook, sea-run cutthroat trout
There is still some opportunity for spring Chinook on Tillamook Bay but things will start to wind down this month.
Sea-run cutthroat trout fishing is picking up in tidewater and fishing is usually good through July. Last updated 7/10/24.
TRASK RIVER: spring Chinook, cutthroat trout
The Salmon/Steelhead Bobber Fishing Rule (page 18 of the regulation booklet) went into effect May 1 on part of the Trask River. Angling is restricted to fly fishing or bobber fishing from the marker at Loren's Drift (River Mile 9) up to Cedar Creek boat slide (River Mile 10.9).
The Trask River 200 feet above and 900 feet below Gold Creek at Trask Hatchery (which includes the "hatchery hole" closes to fishing July 16 to Oct. 15t
Trask River spring Chinook fishing remains slow overall. There are fish throughout the fishery (up to the forks) at this point. It can be hard to entice a springer to bite from after they have been holding for a while, as many of the Trask fish have. Targeting early morning and late afternoon and changing presentations often can help entice a bite.
The Trask does NOT have a release of hatchery summer steelhead but the occasional stray has been caught.
Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good, with fish spread through mainstem and forks of the river. Sea-run cutthroat are showing up in the tidewater. Just remember no bait is allowed May 22-Aug 31 in the North, South and East forks. Last updated 7/10/24.
WILSON RIVER: summer steelhead
The Wilson gets a release of hatchery summer steelhead and those fish are in the river at this point, but fishing has been slow and effort has been light.
The Wilson does not get a hatchery spring Chinook release. An occasional stray fish is caught, however.
Trout fishing should be fair to good throughout the river. Last Updated 6/26/24.
Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.
YAQUINA RIVER: trout
Trout fishing is open on the Yaquina! Fish are definitely moving around the basin but not many reports have trickled in. Last updated 7/10/24.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of July 8, 2024.
The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.
Chinook jack limits remain as specified in 2024 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
Alsea River and Bay and Drift Creek (Alsea Basin, Lincoln Co.)
August 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, no more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Necanicum River
August 1 – November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
December 1 – 31: Closed to angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon.
Nehalem River and Bay and North Fork Nehalem River
July 1 – November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
December 1 – 31: Closed to angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon.
Nestucca River and Bay, Little Nestucca River, and Three Rivers
August 1 – November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
December 1 – 31: Closed to angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon.
Salmon River
August 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, no more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
Siletz River and Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.)
August 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, no more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Siuslaw River (Mainstem), North Fork Siuslaw River, and Sweet Creek
August 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, the daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate. No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Tillamook River and Bay, Kilchis River, Miami River, Wilson River, and Trask River
August 1 – November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.
- No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
December 1 – 31: Closed to angling for and retention of all Chinook Salmon.
Yachats River
August 1 - December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
Yaquina River and Big Elk Creek
August 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, no more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
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).