Northwest Zone

NW Fishing

April 2, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing: 

• Steelhead fishing on the North Coast is fair but slow. The rivers will remain low this week which may make angling conditions more challenging but there are steelhead throughout the fisheries. The Nestucca, Wilson, and North Fork Nehalem will be the best choices for finding hatchery fish while other basins (including the Little Nestucca, Trask, Kilchis, and Nehalem) all have catch and release opportunities for wild steelhead.
• It's trout time! Most North Coast lakes received the first stocking of hatchery rainbow trout in mid-March and Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake, and Vernonia pond are getting another stocking this week. Water conditions are good in the lakes, and the trout will be hungry and ready to bite. See the stocking schedule link below for specific areas being stocked. (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.)
• Coffenbury Lake, Vernonia Pond, Lost Lake, and Sunset Lake have all 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 offers a chance for steelhead when the conditions on the rivers aren't good.
• Winter steelhead fishing on the Mid Coast has slowed due to low water conditions. Expected rain this week should get some fish moving for the weekend. Best bets for targeting steelhead are the Siletz and Alsea. After the rain from the past few weeks, lots of fish have pushed in and up into our systems. Double check the regulations before heading out and be aware of seasonal angling closures - some streams are closed as of 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 week of March 30-April 3: Vernonia Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake.

Scheduled to be stocked in the week of April 6-10: Woahink Lake, Cleawox Lake, Thissel Pond, Carter Lake

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.

Sign up for the latest information on boater access

Attention boaters: There is a full span strainer on the Kilchis Forest Road bridge (Logging Bridge) just downstream of Mapes Creek boat launch. It is not passable by boat at this time. Work should begin this week to clear the boating hazard.

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 bite has been fair-good throughout March as fish are moving about the system. With rain expected this week, more fish should be on the move! 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. Heading into the weekend levels should be decent for catching some steelies! Last updated 03/30/26.

KILCHIS RIVER: Winter steelhead

Attention, boating hazard on the Kilchis River: There is a large tree down against the Kilchis Forest Road bridge (logging bridge) just downstream of Mapes Creek boat launch, and it is not passable to boats at this time. Use extreme caution in this area. Work should begin today to clear this boating hazard.

The Kilchis will remain low and clear which will make angling conditions for steelhead challenging for another week. There are steelhead throughout the fishery. Using light line and subtle terminal presentations will up the odds of hooking fish. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis, so this is mostly a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. Last updated 4/1/26.

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

The first spring Chinook has returned to Big Creek hatchery. It is early and numbers will be low, but at least one came in. The hatchery steelhead run is over on these basins. Last updated 4/1/26.

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 lower Nehalem mainstem is in good shape this week. There are no hatchery releases on the mainstem Nehalem, so it is mostly a catch and release fishery, but should provide good opportunity for hooking wild steelhead this week. The lower Nehalem is the author's pick for catch and release steelhead fishing this week. The upper Nehalem River (above the Hwy 26 bridge at Elsie is closed for angling as of April 1). Last updated 4/1/26.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead

The North Fork Nehalem is going to stay low and clear this week, which may make angling challenging, but there is still opportunity for catching steelhead. A portion of the hatchery steelhead on the North Fork are from wild broodstock, and there are still some in good condition. Last updated 4/1/26.

NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: Winter steelhead

There are still hatchery and wild steelhead available in the Nestucca River (catch and release only for wild steelhead). The Nestucca is the author's pick for hatchery steelhead this week, although it is on the low side the Nestucca holds a little more color and fishes a little better than some of the other basins at lower flows, and there are still plenty of fish around. The upper river, upstream of Moon Creek at Blaine, is closed for angling as of 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 4/1/26.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: Winter steelhead

Salmon River is closed for angling as of April 1. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 3/30/26.

SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are moving all over the Siletz basin! Fish can be found throughout the system, with the town floats being quite productive. The bank access in the upper gorge offers a unique and often remote fishing experience, and fish have started to really push higher into the system with the recent rains.

Fishing in the Siletz will likely be pretty good going into the weekend!

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 3/30/26.

SIUSLAW RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Siuslaw River is closed for angling as of April 1. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 3/30/26.

THREE RIVERS: Winter Steelhead

Three Rivers will be low and clear this week but there should still be some steelhead around and the opportunity to find hatchery fish. Last updated 4/1/26.

TRASK RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Trask will stay on the low side again this week but will remain fishable. 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 4/1/26.

WILSON RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Wilson is low and clear, rain is falling today, but the river won't come up much and will drop right back down before the weekend. There are hatchery and wild steelhead (catch and release only for wilds) throughout the basin but the conditions will be challenging. If you do decide to target the Wilson River, light line and subtle, dark colored, terminal presentations may up the odds of success. In addition, low water conditions are a good time to break out the plugs or hardware (spoons or spinners) and try to entice a territorial bite. The lower river is mostly a drift boat fishery but there is plenty of bank access higher up off Highway 6. Last updated 4/1/26.

The Little North Fork Wilson, and South Fork Wilson are closed for angling as of April 1.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.

YAQUINA RIVER: Winter steelhead

The Yaquina is closed for angling as of April 1. The Big Elk (tributary of the Yaquina) will also be closed for angling starting April 1. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. Last updated 3/30/26.