Northwest Zone

NW Fishing

January 8, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing

Winter steelhead fishing is fair to good on the North Coast. The North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum River, and Lower Columbia tributaries (Gnat Cr, Big Cr, and Klaskanine R) all have hatchery steelhead being caught. The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers also have hatchery steelhead returning and those fisheries are off to a good start when conditions are right. More rain early this week may make for challenging conditions mid-week, but most basins should be in good shape for the weekend.

Coffenbury Lake and Vernonia Pond have both been stocked with surplus hatchery winter steelhead to provide additional angler opportunity. Catching a steelhead in still water can be a fun and unique experience and offer a chance for steelhead when the rivers are blown out.

Winter Steelhead is off to a strong start on our midcoast systems. After the rains we got the past few weeks, lots of fish have pushed in and up into our systems. THe Alsea and Siletz have had a decent amount of fish being caught, and the Siuslaw is doing well!

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:

Regular stocking will resume in Feb. 2026.

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

Sign up for the latest information on boater access

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

After January 01, 2026 remember to renew your fishing license before heading out to fish!

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: Hatchery winter steelhead

Hatchery Steelhead is open on the Alsea River. The early bite has picked up and fish are reaching our Hatchery traps at the Alsea Hatchery! The Alsea River does have a hatchery component to its winter steelhead run offering additional opportunities for harvest! The traps at Alsea River Hatchery are open and currently seeing their first wave of winter steelhead hit the hatchery. However, the Alsea River fishing hotline is no longer in operation. For up to date upper/lower trap counts click here. For more information on steelhead fishing on the Alsea, reach out to Alsea Hatchery Staff or Midcoast District staff.

The hatchery holes provide decent bank access though space is limited, Lower floats have also been productive in the Alsea basin particularly around the Salmonberry launch!

Last updated 01/08/25.

KILCHIS RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are starting to show up in the Kilchis River. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis, so this is mostly a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. The Kichis River drops and "greens up" quickly after storms and is often one of the first basins to come back in shape. Last updated 1/5/26.

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

Winter steelhead fishing is good on the Lower Columbia tributaries. Big Creek hatchery has recycled nearly 500 fish downstream for additional angler opportunity and fish are being caught. Gnat Creek also reports decent numbers of winter steelhead, in excellent condition, being caught. Klaskanine hatchery has also recycled some hatchery winter steelhead. Last updated 1/5/26.

NECANICUM RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Necanicum River has hatchery winter steelhead returning and fishing has been fair to good. 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).

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 1/5/26.

NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead should be returning to the Nehalem River. There are no hatchery releases on the mainstem Nehalem, so it is mostly a catch and release fishery. The lower river is still pretty big and can be challenging to fish this time of year, but the upper river should be in decent shape by the weekend. Last updated 1/5/26.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead.

Winter steelhead fishing is good on the North Fork Nehalem with decent numbers of hatchery fish coming back and some being caught. It should be in good shape for the coming weekend.

The hatchery coho run is mostly over with most fish either spawned out or spawning, but there's still a small chance of encountering a fish in decent condition. Last updated 1/5/26.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing is fair on the Nestucca when conditions are good and should continue to improve. Heavy rains today may bring the river up and off color, but it should be fishable by the weekend. The Nestucca gets one of our largest hatchery winter steelhead releases and is a top pick for those wanting to catch fish they can keep. Last updated 1/6/26.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead have been moving into and up in the system. Wild fish can be retained on the Salmon River, and bank access can be found throughout the system though its less frequent through the lower stretches after the hatchery. The Salmon River tends to be one of the midcoast rivers that settles out decently soon after a big rain event and may offer some opportunity for clearer waters earlier on!

Check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 01/08/25.

SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are moving into the Siletz! The town loop float and beyond have been productive through the holiday weeks, and moving into this weekend, the majority of the midcoast should be quite fishable! The Siletz Gorge offers additional bank opportunity but is only open for driving during the weekends.

There was a landslide on HWY 229 resulting in a road closure at approximately milepost 14.5. HWY229 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 01/08/25.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Like its neighbors, the Siuslaw is starting to see winter steelhead moving into the system. Fish are certainly around and are already showing up at our Trap on Whitaker! The bite has been fair for this time of year, and it is expected to pick up this weekend! Last updated 01/08/25.

THREE RIVERS: Winter steelhead

Three Rivers has winter steelhead showing up and some being caugt. It should be in decent shape for the weekend. Last updated 1/6/26.

TRASK RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Trask River has winter steelhead are coming in and some have been caught. There are no hatchery releases on the Trask so it is mostly a catch and release fishery, although it is known to get a few strays. Heavy rains today will likely have the Trask high and off color, but it should drop into prime shape by the weekend.

The hatchery coho run is pretty much over with most fish either spawned out or actively spawning. There is still a slight chance of encountering a coho in decent condition, but numbers will be very low. Last updated 1/6/26.

WILSON RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Wilson has winter steelhead showing up and some being caught, and fishing should continue to improve over the next couple months. Heavy rains may have the Wilson a little off color by this afternoon, but it should drop back into shape quickly and be in good shape by the latter part of the week. The Wilson has one of our largest hatchery steelhead releases and is a top pick for those wanting to catch a keeper. Last updated 1/6/26.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead

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. There is additional opportunity to fish for winter steelhead on the Big Elk (tributary of the Yaquina) which offers additional retention. Remember to check your regs before heading out! Last updated 01/08/25.