Recreation Report
Northwest Zone
Recreation Report
Crooked River rainbow trout -Photo by Mike Belcher-
NW Fishing
April 23, 2026
Steelhead fishing on the North Coast is winding down as we near the end of the run, but anglers are still catching a few brights, 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 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 nest) 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 a second time the week of March 30th. Town Lake, South Lake, Hebo Lake, North Lake, Tahoe Lake, Nedonna Pond, Lake Lytle, Cape Meares Lake, and Loren's Pond received a second stocking the week of April 13th. 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 was 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. North Lake was NOT stocked this spring because of extremely low water levels.
Winter steelhead fishing on the Mid Coast is slowing down, but there are still a few late chromers around. It's not too early to be thinking about summer steelhead, and the Siletz can be a great option. The much-needed rain got some fish on the move last week, and anglers reported mixed catches of late winter steelhead and early summer steelhead on the same trip on the Siletz. The rivers should remain in good shape for anglers looking to get out this weekend. Double check the regulations before heading out and be aware of seasonal angling closures - some streams closed April 1!
Many Mid Coast lakes have already been stocked with hatchery rainbow trout this spring, but more are on the way! Big Creek Reservoir 1&2, Cleawox Lake, Thissel Pond, Woahink Lake, Carter Lake, Mercer Lake, Dune Lake, Alder Lake, Buck Lake, Sutton Lake, Olalla Reservoir, Siltcoos Lake, and Perkins Lake have all been stocked during the month of April. Munsel Lake and Devils Lake will be stocked this week.
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, North 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.
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, but we are at the tail end of winter steelhead season. There's a chance some fish could still be around near the hatchery, but most anglers have shifted focus to alleviate bycatch of recent hatchery steelhead smolt releases. 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. Last updated 4/20/26.
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 4/21/26.
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, and fishing has been slow. Last updated 4/21/26.
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 4/21/26.
NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead
The North Fork Nehalem is winding down for steelhead but there are still a few hatchery fish and some opportunity for catch and release. Last updated 4/14/26.
NESTUCCA RIVER & LITTLE NESTUCCA RIVER: Winter steelhead, spring Chinook, summer steelhead
There is still some opportunity to catch steelhead on the Nestucca River. The run is winding down but there are still a few 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.
No reports of spring Chinook being caught in the Nestucca yet this year, but the first of the run should be showing up in the bay over the next couple weeks.
The Nestucca also gets a run of hatchery summer steelhead, but it is early for them and there have been no reports of any getting caught yet. Last updated 4/21/26.
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 4/20/26.
SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead, summer steelhead
Winter steelhead are still moving throughout the basin, and there are still some chrome fish around. Last week's rain bumped the river up and got some fish moving, and anglers reported mixed catches of late winter steelhead and early summer steelhead. Fishing pressure has been relatively light, and most fish are being caught between Moonshine and the town of Siletz. The river appears to be in great shape and might be a perfect option for anglers looking to get out this weekend. 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. Anglers are reminded to be mindful of spawning steelhead and to avoid disturbing redds.
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 4/20/26.
SIUSLAW RIVER: Rockfish, surf perch
The Siuslaw River closed to winter steelhead 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. The jetties can be a great place to target rockfish and surf perch during the spring. For more information on surf perch, rockfish and lingcod, refer to the Marine Recreation Report. Last updated 4/20/26.
THREE RIVERS: Winter Steelhead
The Three Rivers steelhead run is winding down. There are still some steelhead around but expect slow fishing. No spring Chinook have been reported in Three Rivers yet which is normal this early in the year. Last updated 4/21/26.
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 4/21/26.
TRASK RIVER: Winter steelhead, spring Chinook
The Trask steelhead run is winding down but there is still some opportunity and a few 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.
There are no reports of spring Chinook being caught in the Trask yet, but they should start showing up by next month.
Trask hatchery has some damage to the access road so anglers and visitors will need to park up top and walk down. Last updated 4/21/26.
WILSON RIVER: Winter steelhead, summer 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 fish around. The river is low and clear this week.
The Wison gets a run of hatchery summer steelhead but there haven't been any caught yet that we've heard of. They should start showing up by next month. Last updated 4/21/26.
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: Chinook salmon, rockfish, surf perch
The Yaquina River closed to winter steelhead angling on April 1. The Big Elk (tributary of the Yaquina) also closed April 1. The Yaquina River and bay are open for Chinook salmon April 1 – December 31. Be sure to check your regulations before you head out for bait or stream restrictions. The jetties can be a great place to target rockfish and surf perch during the spring. For information on marine species such as surf perch, rockfish and lingcod, refer to the Marine Recreation Report Last updated 4/20/26.