Northwest Zone

Jan. 15, 2025‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Winter steelhead fishing should be good on the North Coast this weekend as most rivers are dropping back into shape. The Nestucca, Wilson, Necanicum, North Fork Nehalem and Lower Columbia tributaries will be the best bets for encountering hatchery fish.
• Big Creek released surplus winter steelhead into Coffenbury Lake recently to provide some additional fishing opportunity.
• There are winter steelhead int most Mid Coast rivers.

Trout stocking

Trout stocking is scheduled to resume in February 2025.

The 2025 stocking schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks.

Trout stocking maps

Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.

Announcements

No access to Tillamook's South Jetty

The Army Corps of Engineers is making repairs to Tillamook's South Jetty and as a result there is no public access this summer. Bay Ocean spit is still open for walking/hiking and biking but is closed to public access about a mile from the jetty.

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: Steelhead

Hatchery steelhead opened on Nov. 1 from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South Forks. The run is definitely picking up as fish are moving into the system with the recent holiday rains. Over the next few weeks and moving into this weekend the water should be clear, cold and high enough to be a productive weekend for those January fish moving in.

The hatchery holes have started producing some reports with varied success! Last updated 1/8/25.

Winter steelhead fishing in the mid-coast district – check out this video.

KILCHIS RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead should be in the Kilchis River. There are no hatchery releases on the Kilchis, so it is mostly a catch and release fishery for wild steelhead. The Kilchis is in decent shape now but may be on the low side by the weekend. Last updated 1/8/25.

Winter steelhead fishing in the north coast district – check out the video.

LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Cr., Gnat Cr. Klaskanine R.): hatchery steelhead

Hatchery winter steelhead are in the Lower Columbia tributaries in decent numbers and fishing has been fair to good. Big Creek hatchery recycled 152 steelhead last week. Klaskanine has fish returning and moderate to heavy fishing pressure. Gnat Creek has steelhead in the system as well. This basin may get a little on the low side by the weekend but should remain fishable. Last updated 1/8/25.

NECANICUM RIVER: winter steelhead

Attention boaters: There is a boating obstruction/hazard upstream of Mail Creek on the Necanicum River (between the Hwy 26 bridge and Klootchy Park). This is a large log/debris jam blocking the river. Boaters should use extreme caution. Check the Oregon State Marine Board boater obstruction map here.

The Hwy 101 boat ramp on the Necanicum has been re-opened for angler access. The gate remains up but has a combination lock on it. Anglers can get the combination by calling the Tillamook District office at (503) 842–2741 and providing their name and ODFW Hunter/Angler ID number.

Hatchery winter steelhead are in the Necanicum. Conditions are good as of this writing and the river should be fishable through the weekend, although it may get on the low side. Last updated 1/8/25.

NEHALEM RIVER: winter steelhead

The Lower Nehalem is still slightly off color but fishable. The upper river is dropping into good shape. There are no hatchery releases on the Nehalem mainstem, so this is mostly a catch-and-release fishery for wild steelhead. Last updated 1/8/25.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM: winter steelhead

There is a boating hazard on the North Fork Nehalem between the hatchery and Aldervale. It is a tree across the river, at higher flows boats have been making it over on river left, but as flows drop this week it may require portaging.

Winter steelhead fishing is fair to good with fish throughout the system and fish being caught. The North Fork should be in good shape through the weekend. Last updated 1/8/25.

NESTUCCA RIVER: winter steelhead

The Nestucca is dropping into shape and should be fishable through the weekend and in prime shape by early next week. The Nestucca gets one of our largest releases of hatchery winter steelhead and there should be fish througout the system and plenty more on the way. Last updated 1/8/25.

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

SALMON RIVER: steelhead

Although it's still early in the season, winter steelhead is open on the Salmon River. The Salmon River is a unique and accessible system for steelhead and can offer decent opportunity as other rivers get blown out. So far folks have been out fishing some of the more productive holes on the Salmon and we've gotten reports of varied success. Higher up in the system there is a decent amount of bank access to the fishery. Last updated 1/8/25.

SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead have moved into the Siletz! Th ough it's still early in the season, some fish have been moving into the system and are starting to spread out. With the rain we got over the holidays, quite a few fish moved into the system and are being caught.

With the weather shift over the next few weeks the water should belower clear and fishable! The gorge offers bank access for targeting winter steelhead, though with the icy winter conditions it could be a tough drive - worth the effort!

The Siletz is a truly unique system offering multiple opportunities for a variety of species. Last updated 1/8/25.

Floating the Siletz – check out this video.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead is open in the Siuslaw basin. However, l it's still early in the season to be getting reports of fish being caught. Some reports have come in of early fish being caught. The rains from the holidays brought fish into most of our Mid Coast basins and so the Siuslaw will have fish throughout the basin. Last updated 1/8/25.

THREE RIVERS: winter steelhead

Three Rivers has hatchery winter steelhead in the system and fishing has been fair as it has dropped back into shape. Last updated 1/8/25.

TRASK RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are in the Trask and it should be in great shape for fishing through the weekend and into next week. The Trask does not have a hatchery steelhead release, but provides some good catch-and-release opportunity for wild steelhead and the occasional hatchery stray. Last updated 1/8/25.

WILSON RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead is picking up on the Wilson as the river has dropped into shape. The Wilson gets one of our largest hatchery steelhead releases and those fish should be available throughout the system. Conditions should remain good through the weekend and into next week. Last updated 1/8/25.

Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.