Northwest Zone

NW Fishing

April 16, 2026

Steelhead fishing on the North Coast is winding down as we near the end of the run, but there are still a few bright fish around 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 Little Nestucca, 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 nests) 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 the week of March 30^th. Town Lake, South Lake, Hebo Lake, Tahoe Lake, Nedonna Pond, Lake Lytle, Cape Meares Lake, and Loren's Pond are scheduled to be stocked the week of April 13^th. North Lake could not be stocked because the water level was too low for the liberation truck to get access. 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 will be 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.

Steelhead fishing on the Mid Coast has remained fair despite low water conditions. The expected rain this week should get some late winter steelhead and early summer steelhead moving, and the rivers should be in good shape by the weekend. 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. Anglers are reporting catches of early summer steelhead in the Siletz here and there. 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.

Trout stocking: 

Stocked the weeks of April 6-17: Woahink Lake, Cleawox Lake, Thissel Pond, Carter Lake, Hebo Lake, Big Creek Res-1&2, Mercer Lake, Cape Mears Lake, Alder Lake, Sunset Lake, Buck Lake, Town Lake, Olalla Cr. Res, Lytle Lake, Dune Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Perkins Lake, Nedonna pond, Munsel Lake, Loren's Pond, Siltcoos Lake.

Scheduled to be stocked the weeks of April 20- May 8:

Devil's Lake, Vernonia Lake, Hebo Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Town Lake, Munsel Lake, Carter Lake, Sutton Lake, Thissel Pond, Cleawox Lake. 

North Lake will be stocked if water levels rise enough to allow truck access, however drought impacts might not allow stocking this season. 

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

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.

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.

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Updates by waterbody

ALSEA RIVER: Winter steelhead

Hatchery steelhead is open on the Alsea River! The bite has been fair though the run is starting to slow down. For up to date upper/lower trap counts click here. The Alsea hatchery offers decent bank access through the hatchery holes, which is quite popular. Floating Salmonberry down river has continued to be productive throughout the season. Last updated 4/13/26.

KILCHIS RIVER: Winter steelhead

There are no recent reports from the Kilchis River and it will remain low and clear for another week, which will make angling conditions for steelhead challenging for. We're at the tail end of the run and many fish are actively spawning or spawned out, but there are still a few bright fish around and angling pressure is light. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis, so this is mostly a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. Last updated 4/13/26.

LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): spring Chinook

There have been a couple of spring Chinook return to Big Creek hatchery. It is still early and water levels are low so numbers will be very low in these basin. Last updated 4/13/26.

NECANICUM RIVER: Closed to angling April 1 through May 21

The Highway 101 boat ramp south of Seaside will be closed to vehicle access until next fall to reduce dumping and illegal camping. A combination lock will be put back on the gate for angler access next fall usually around mid-October. Walk in access is still permitted through the summer. The Necanicum will re-open to angling on May 22.

NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead

The steelhead run is winding down, and many fish are actively spawning or spawned out but there are still a few bright fish around. The lower Nehalem mainstem is still in decent shape this week although mid-week rains could change that. There are no hatchery releases on the mainstem Nehalem, but it can provide some good catch and release opportunity for wild steelhead. The upper Nehalem River (above the Hwy 26 bridge at Elsie closed to angling on April 1). Last updated 4/13/26.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead

The North Fork Nehalem is winding down for steelhead but there are still a few bright hatchery fish and some opportunity for catch and release. Last updated 4/14/26.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: Winter steelhead

There is still some opportunity to catch steelhead on the Nestucca River. The run is winding down but there are still some bright hatchery fish around as well as the opportunity to catch and release wild steelhead. The upper river, upstream of Moon Creek at Blaine, closed to angling April 1.

The Little Nestucca does not have a hatchery steelhead release but does provide some catch and release opportunity for wild steelhead, but it will be low this week. Last updated 4/14/26.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: Closed to angling April 1 through May 21

Salmon River closed to angling April 1. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 4/13/26.

SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are still moving throughout the basin. Low water conditions have slowed fish movement, but there are still fish around! Expected rain this week should improve fishing conditions and get fish active. Anglers have reported catches of early summer steelhead making it a great opportunity to target both summers and winters. The bank access in the upper gorge offers a unique and often remote fishing experience. Fishing the gorge can be a great option later in the season as fish push higher into the system.

A landslide on HWY 229 has resulted in a road closure at approximately milepost 14.5. HWY 229 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 4/13/26.

SIUSLAW RIVER: Closed to angling April 1 through May 21

The Siuslaw River closed to angling April 1. Lake Creek (tributary of the Siuslaw) is also closed April 1. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 4/13/26/.

THREE RIVERS: Winter steelhead

The Three Rivers steelhead run is winding down. There are still some steelhead around but expect slow fishing. Last updated 4/14/26.

TILLAMOOK BAY: Marine bottom fish, Spring Chinook, surf perch

I'm putting Tillamook Bay back in the mix as there are always some inquiries this time of year, but it is still early for Spring Chinook, and no reports of landed fish have come in yet. Springers usually kick off in May on Tillamook Bay; that said, there is always a small number caught towards the end of April.

Spring can be a good time to target rockfish and ling cod off the Tillamook Bay jetties (the North jetty provides the only bank angling this spring as the South jetty is still undergoing repairs/construction). Concentrate on slack tides for the best odds of success. Jigs, bait, and shrimp flies are all good methods.

It is also a little too early for surf perch in the bay, but they will start moving into the bay next month to spawn and will provide some fishing opportunities from March through early July. Last updated 4/14/26.

TRASK RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Trask steelhead run is winding down but there is still some opportunity and a few bright fish around. Many steelhead will be actively spawning or already spawned out. There are no hatchery releases on the Trask, so it is mostly a catch and release fishery, although it is known to get an occasional stray.

The North and South Forks of the Trask closed to angling on April 1.

Trask hatchery has some damage to the access road so anglers and visitors will need to park up top and walk down. Last updated 4/14/26.

WILSON RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Wilson is still producing a few winter steelhead, but fishing has definitely slowed as the run is nearing its end. Angling effort is light, however, and there are still some bright fish around. Last updated 4/14/26.

The Little North Fork Wilson, and South Fork Wilson closed to angling on April 1.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: Closed to angling April 1 through May 21