Northwest Zone

NW Fishing

January 29, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing

Winter steelhead fishing is expected to be good on the North Coast this weekend as we are getting some rain after a long dry spell, and water temperatures are warming a little which should make fish more active.. The Nestucca River, Wilson, and North Fork Nehalem Rivers will provide some of the best opportunity to catch hatchery steelhead. The Necanicum River, and Lower Columbia tributaries (Gnat Cr, Big Cr, and Klaskanine R) hatchery runs should be slowing down but will all still have some hatchery fish around. Other basins (including the Little Nestucca, Trask, Kilchis, Nehalem, and Salmonberry Rivers) all have catch and release opportunities for wild steelhead.

Coffenbury Lake, Vernonia Pond, Lost Lake, and Sunset Lake have all been stocked with hundreds of 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 conditions on the rivers aren't good.

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).

Trask hatchery has some damage to their access road, the hatchery is still open to the public, but as a result anglers and visitors alike will need to park up top and walk down.

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 continuing to see steelhead make it to 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 Alsea hatchery offers decent bank access through the hatchery holes, thouh fishing there is quite popular. Floating Salmonberry down river has been productive though as water levels drop the catch rate will likely drop moving into the dry weekend. Last updated 01/21/26.

KILCHIS RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Kilchis is going to remain on the low side this week, even with a little rain. This weather should improve the fishing none the less. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis, so this is mostly a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. Last updated 1/28/26.

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

Winter steelhead fishing is still fair on the Lower Columbia tributaries. The hatchery runs will be slowing down there but they have had good returns this year and have recycled a lot of fish for additional opportunity. Last updated 1/28/26.

NECANICUM RIVER: Winter steelhead

The hatchery steelhead run on the Necanicum River will start slowing down this time of year, but there are still some fish in decent condition around. There will also be wild steelhead available for catch and release through the end of March. There is good bank access at Peterson Point (off Hwy 101), Drake access (Hwy 26 and Sugarloaf Mainline) and Klootchy 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 1/28/26.

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 Nehalem should remain in decent condition this week and warmer temperatures should energize fish. Last updated 1/28/26.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead.

Winter steelhead fishing should improve on the North Fork Nehalem this week with a little rain and warmer temperatures improving conditions. The North Fork has had good numbers returning this year. The early returning hatchery fish will start slowing down this time of year, but a portion of the hatchery run are from wild broodstock, and those hatchery fish should continue to return in good condition through the end of March. Last updated 1/21/26.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are throughout the Nestucca, and fishing conditions should improve this week with a little rain and some warmer temperatures. The Nestucca gets one of our largest hatchery winter steelhead releases and should be a top pick for those wanting to catch fish they can keep this time of year.

The Little Nestucca does not have a hatchery steelhead release but does provide some catch and release opportunity for wild steelhead. Last updated 1/28/26.

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! As we move into the dryer weekend fish will still be around but the cold clear water will have fish holding up rather than moving around. Check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 01/21/26.

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. Fishing will likely be better a bit lower down in the system going into the dry cold weekend with better float bets being downstream of Illahee.

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 01/21/26.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Like its neighbors, the Siuslaw has 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! Folks have had some decent success higher up in the system as the earlier fish moved high up into the systems with the december rains. Last updated 01/21/26.

THREE RIVERS: Winter Steelhead

Three Rivers has winter steelhead coming back and fishing should improve this week with a little rain and warmer temperatures making for better conditions. That said it is still going to remain a little on the low side. Last updated 1/28/26.

TRASK RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing should improve this week on the Trask River, though it will remain a little on the low side, some rain and warmer water temperatures should get fish more active. 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. The river has steelhead throughout the system but is getting low and clear this week. Fishing should improve once we get some rain.

Trask hatchery has some damage to the access road so anglers and visitors will need to park up top and walk down. Last updated 1/21/26.

WILSON RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Wilson has winter steelhead throughout the fishery, and conditions should improve this week with a little rain and warmer temperatures. The Wilson has one of our largest hatchery steelhead releases and is should be a top pick for those wanting to catch a keeper this time of year. Last updated 1/28/26.

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 01/21/25.