Recreation Report
Northwest Zone
Recreation Report
Sept. 27, 2023
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Best bets for weekend fishing
- Fall Chinook fishing has been fair in the North Coast estuaries with fish being caught daily in Nestucca, Tillamook, and Nehalem bays. Rain this week should push some fish into the lower reaches of the rivers as well. Due to a below average forecast this year the daily and season bag limits have been reduced. See the Regulation Updates section above for details.
- Coho are in the North Coast bays and some fish have been getting caught. Hatchery coho in Nehalem and Tillamook Bay are the first return of adults from the wild broodstock program. As such, run timing should extend further into the fall than it has in the past. There should be a few hatchery coho moving into the Trask and North Fork Nehalem sivers with this week's rain. Wild coho fisheries opened Sept. 9 in Nehalem, Tillamook and Nestucca bays. Fishing was slow to start. Check regulation updates for open days, areas and bag limits.
- There are cutthroat trout available in most North Coast streams and sea-run cutthroat are present in the rivers throughout upper distribution. There are lots of places to fish for trout in North Coast streams; check the regulations for open rivers and creeks.
- Fall rains are finally here! We have had a lot of the rain this past week, affecting each basin with rising river levels -- almost a foot in some cases. That bodes well for fall fishing conditions. With the rain starting last weekend- a lot of the fish that have been kegged into lower tidewaters have started to spread out. It wasn't quite enough rain for fish to dart upriver, but it was certainly enough to relieve some of the heavier pressure areas.
- Fish are moving up into tidewater throughout most Mid Coast basins. More reports are coming in of fish being caught in the Siuslaw and Siletz, but the Yaquina, Alsea and Salmon rivers have remained slower. In the past week however the Salmon river has started to pick up and with the rains we should be seeing more fish.
- Coho fisheries are open in most of the Mid Coast basins until Oct. 15. Be sure to check your local regulations before heading out! Not many fish have been caught yet, as the coho are really just getting into the systems. They haven't been as aggressive in their bite -- but after the rains this weekend we may see that shift.
- Cutthroat trout fishing has about peaked in the Mid Coast basins the past few weeks, with a few last reports coming in from folks still catching fish. They are still moving throughout the basins and provide a fun and different fishing opportunity.
- We also have some small minus tides coming in this weekend. Tides <-1 still provide a decent shot at clamming in the bays. Siletz Bay is a popular spot to test your clamming abilities! Alsea Bay is also a decent bay to test out your clamming abilities.
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked this week:
No stocking scheduled.
Recently stocked:
Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake, Sunset Lake, Town Lake
See 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
E-tagging tips for anglers
It's important for anglers to tag their salmon and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.
Olalla Reservoir boat ramp closes Aug. 18 at sunset
Due to low water levels, the boat ramp at Olalla Reservoir near Toledo will close at sunset on Friday, Aug. 18. The reservoir remains open for recreation, but the boat ramp will be closed until further notice.
Pitch in to keep water banks clean
We wish it didn't have to be this way. But as more anglers hit the water, more trash piles up on shore. We know it's not your job to pick up discarded beer cans, Slurpee cups, fishing line, hamburger wrappers and other trash that isn't yours. But if everyone pitched in and picked up what they saw, wouldn't it be a nicer place to fish?
Watch for boating hazards
Check the Oregon State Marine Boards, Boating Obstructions map.
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.
ALSEA RIVER: cutthroat trout, fall Chinook
Fall Chinook is open on the Alsea, and so far the season has been running slow. There has been a general uptick of pressure and catch in the basin but overall it has been slower. Your best bet will still be lower in the system in the bay and into tidewater, before fish start moving higher into the system to spawn.
We've heard of a few more fish being caught in the bay and out towards the jaws this week. Mostly big fish being caught! We have gotten a few additional reports of some nice-size chrome bright fish moving into the basin and being caught in the lower system.
Fishing for wild coho opened last Friday with a few reports coming in of fish being caught. We haven't seen a big push of coho into the basin yet, but we are seeing the first few entering the system and jumping and rolling lower in the river. Wild coho retention will be open through Oct. 15, 2023 on the Alsea.
Crabbing has also picked up in the bay over the past two weeks or so. Some nice sized crabs are being pulled, so toss a pot while you troll, and go home with a seafood feast!
Minus tides in the Alsea will lead to excellent clamming conditions. They aren't incredible low tides, but they should open the bay up to some decent clamming opportunities. Check out this link for more information!
Check the regulations before you head out this weekend! Last updated 9/27/23.
KILCHIS RIVER: cutthroat trout, Chinook
Cutthroat are available throughout the river. Sea-run cutthroat fishing should be decent as fish are dispersed throughout rivers at this point. Last updated 9/27/23.
There could be some Fall Chinook moving into the lower Kilchis River on this week's rain, but the river didn't come up all that much. The Kilchis is known for later returning Chinook; so numbers will probably be low early on. Last updated 9/27/23.
Due to a below average forecast the bag limits for wild Chinook salmon have been reduced. See the Regulation Updates section above for details.
LOWER COLUMBIA TRIBUTARIES (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, Klaskanine River): Chinook, coho
Big Creek opens Oct. 1. Gnat Creek is open and a few hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho are likely moving into the lower portion of the stream. The Klaskanine basin does not open until Oct. 16., but there should be some hatchery Chinook and hatchery coho downstream in Youngs Bay. Last updated 9/13/23.
NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout, Chinook
Cutthroat are available throughout the river. Sea-run cutthroat fishing should be decent as fish are dispersed throughout the river at this point. Last updated 9/27/23.
The Necanicum could have a few Fall Chinook moving into the lower river on this weeks rain, but the river didn't come up very much and numbers will probably still be low. See the Regulation Updates section above for more details on season and bag limits. Last updated 9/627/23.
Due to illegal dumping and camping, vehicle access to the "Hwy 101" boat ramp on the Necanicum has been closed off for the remainder of the summer. The ramp will be re-opened for the fall Chinook and winter steelhead seasons when the river comes up enough to be floatable.
NEHALEM RIVER AND BAY: Chinook, coho
Chinook fishing has remained fair in Nehalem Bay although the "bites" have been somewhat sporadic. Most of the early returning "summer" Chinook have moved into the river and we are into the more traditional Fall fish now. This weeks rain is probably moving some of them into the lower Nehalem River as well.
Due to a below average forecast the bag limits for wild Chinook salmon have been reduced. See the Regulation Updates section above for details. Last updated 9/27/23.
Hatchery and wild coho are in Nehalem Bay with plenty of fish jumping, and some biting. Hatchery coho in Nehalem are the first return of adults from the wild broodstock program, as such run timing should extend further into the fall than it has in the past. There should be a few hatchery coho moving into the lower portion of the North Fork Nehalem on this week's rain.
The wild coho fishery in Nehalem Bay opened Sept. 9. The fishery is open two days a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Sept. 9 to Oct. 18. See the Regulation Updates section above for details. Last updated 9/27/23.
NESTUCCA BASIN (Nestucca, Three Rivers, and Little Nestucca): Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, cutthroat trout
Fall Chinook fishing in the Nestucca has been slow to fair in estuary. There should be a few fish pushing into the lower river on this week's rain. Last updated 9/27/23.
Due to below average forecast this season the bag limit for wild Chinook has been reduced. See the Regulation Updates section above for details.
Saturday, Sept. 9 was the opener of the wild coho fishery in the Nestucca estuary, and there should be some wild coho around. The fishery is open two days a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 9 to Oct. 18. See the regulation updates section above for bag limits and more details. Last updated 9/27/23.
Summer steelhead are in the basin, and are present throughout the fishery, but recent resting pool counts confirmed that numbers are low this year and as a result fishing will probably be slow. Last updated 8/30/23.
Cutthroat are available throughout the river. Sea-run cutthroat fishing is open through October. Last updated 9/13/23.
Three Rivers from the mouth to the hatchery weir is closed to fishing July 16 to Sept. 30 and will re-open on Sunday, Oct. 1, but number will probably still be low in this small tributary. Last updated 9/27/23.
River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.
SALMON RIVER: cutthroat trout, fall Chinook
Fall Chinook is open and picking up in the Salmon River. The past weeks rains have moved fish into the system. We are starting to see a few of fish moving as far up as the Hatchery Hole. And more reports have come in this week of fish being caught in mid tidewater.
Reports of fall Chinook being caught have been coming in the past few weeks. The 101 Bridge Hole has been a popular spot for bank casting early in the season as hatchery fish start coming back into the basin. Fish have been seen holding below the hatchery and starting to filter into the system.
It's definitely been a slower start to the season but as the weeks start to cool down a morning cast may lead to a successful trip. With the rains this past week I would expect the hole to be a popular area for bank casting.
You can also have some luck throwing a crab pot in the bay, and crabbing is finally starting to pick back up again.
The Salmon River is closed for steelhead; however, the basin is now open to trout. Check out the sea-run cutthroat fishery in the area. You should have a decent chance of catching a trout on the Salmon River.
As a reminder there is no wild coho retention on the Salmon River; although other Mid Coast basins will be opening to wild coho retention. Check your regulations before you head out. Last updated 9/27/23.
SILETZ RIVER: summer steelhead, Chinook, cutthroat trout
The Siletz has a variety of species to cast for this weekend!
Fall Chinook has opened on the Siletz and, same as our other Mid Coast basins, it's early but fishing is definitely picking up. Fish have started coming up into the bay and further up into tidewater through Windy Bend. Fish have been seen and caught as far up as Illahee Boat Ramp. Anglers have been catching some nice size fish in tidewater and below, out near the mouth as well.
Folks have been using a variety of techniques with a variety of success. If you don't have access to a motorized boat to troll for salmon, you can try bobber and eggs casting along the banks of the Siletz. A lot of anglers have been using bobber and eggs in the afternoons with decent success.
The rains this past week have moved some of the fish that have been kegged up around the Movie House Hole, and shifted the run a little bit higher. Fish are still lower in the system as we haven't seen enough rain for them to really move up river freely.
It's been a slow-going season for summer steelhead with just not a lot of fish caught in the basin.
We have seen a consistent number of hatchery fish reaching the trap higher up in the Gorge, so fish have taken advantage of some of the cooler temps and the small amounts of rain we have gotten and are moving higher up. There are still a few fish hanging around in the gorge area.
Going into the weekend the Siletz will be your best bet for any last minute summer steelhead coming back into the basin.
Wild coho retention opened last Friday and will stay open until Oct. 15. Fish have been caught throughout tidewater, often biting at rigs set up for Chinook. Spinners are also always a good bet for coho. Check out the regulations before you head out this weekend!
Trout fishing remains open through Oct. 31. Last updated 9/27/23.
SILTCOOS/TAHKENITCH LAKES: coho
Coho fishing on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes is closed for the season. Coho fishing will open next Monday on Oct. 1. Last updated 9/27/23.
SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat trout, Fall Chinook
Fall Chinook has started to pick up the last few weeks on the Siuslaw river! We have gotten a good report that Siuslaw is showing some earlier success compared to its basin neighbors. Fish have been moving into the basin quickly. Folks have been catching some decent size bright fish in tide water and in the bays.
The Siuslaw has different regulations for fall Chinook bag limits than the other Mid Coast basins due to a below average forecast. So be sure to check the regulation updates before heading out. We have had a decent amount of reported fish being caught tidewater and below. With the recent rains, fish are stretching out a bit throughout the system.
Wild coho retention opened last Friday. Much like the rest of the Mid Coast basins, it's been a slow start to coho. Although, lots have fish have been seen rolling and jumping, and there've been a few reports of fish being caught.
Using spinners for coho is a great way to catch a fish, or try twitching which can be a bit more challenging but quite fun! Check out the regulations before you head out this weekend.
Like the rest of the Mid Coast basins, trout fishing is open. With the warmer temperatures and the water being low and clear in the basin, check out trout in the Siuslaw this weekend. Last updated 9/27/23.
SKIPANON RIVER: hatchery coho, hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead
The Skipanon opened to fishing for and retention of hatchery steelhead, hatchery coho, and hatchery Chinook salmon on Aug. 1. Use of bait allowed. No recent reports, but decent numbers of hatchery fish strayed into the Skipanon River last year. Last updated 9/13/23.
TILLAMOOK BAY: Chinook, coho
Fall Chinook fishing has been fair in Tillamook Bay although "good bites" have been somewhat sporadic. Some fish are probably pushing into the lower rivers on this week's rain, but there are still fresh fish coming in. Last updated 9/27/23.
Due to a below average forecast the bag limits for wild Chinook salmon have been reduced. See the Regulations Update Section above for details.
Saturday, Sept. 9 was the opener for the wild coho fishery in Tillamook Bay, and fishing has been picking up some over the past week. The fishery is open two days a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 9 to Oct. 18. See the regulation updates section above for bag limits and more details.
Hatchery coho are always open in the bay and this year will is the first return of wild broodstock origin hatchery adults. As such the run timing should extend further into the fall than in the past. Last updated 9/27/23.
TRASK RIVER: Chinook, cutthroat trout, hatchery coho
The Trask River 200 feet above and below Gold Creek at Trask Hatchery (which includes the hatchery hole) is closed to angling July 16 to Oct. 15.
The Dam hole (MP 7 on Trask River Rd up to Blue Ridge Creek) is closed to fishing Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.
The Trask River opened for fall Chinook on Aug. 1, and there should be at least a few fish pushing into the lower river on this weeks rain. Last updated 9/27/23.
Due to a below average forecast the bag limits for wild Chinook salmon have been reduced. See the Regulations update section above for details.
Cutthroat trout are throughout the Trask River. Fish are dispersed throughout the basin, so there is plenty of opportunity available. Last updated 9/13/23.
The Trask gets a hatchery coho run, and some of these fish should be pushing into the lower river. This year is the first return of adult hatchery coho from the wild broodstock program and as such the run timing should extend further into fall. Last updated 9/27/23.
Trask river levels and predictions are available here.
WILSON RIVER: summer steelhead, cutthroat trout, Chinook
The Wilson River has a hatchery summer steelhead release but the return has been low and as a result fishing is slow. The Wilson is low and clear right now. Last updated 9/13/23.
There are cutthroat trout (including sea-runs) throughout the Wilson basin. Fishing is fair. Last updated 9/13/23.
The Wilson River opened for Fall Chinook on Aug. 1, and there should be a few fish pushing into the lower river on this week's rain. That said, the river didn't come up very much and the Wilson is known for later returning fish so numbers may still be low. Last updated 9/27/23.
Due to a below average forecast the bag limits for wild Chinook salmon have been reduced. See the Regulation updates section above for more details.
Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.
YAQUINA RIVER: Fall Chinook, cutthroat trout
Fall Chinook is open on the Yaquina. It's been a particularly slow start on the Yaquina with not as many fish being caught in the basin compared to our other Mid Coast Basins. We are however starting to see an increasing number of fish coming in and being caught as we progress further into the season. It's remained a bit slow over the week with pressure shifting to some basins where the bite has been hotter.
The tides have been affecting the fishery a great deal by pushing lots of weeds into tide water and bogging down bait and flashers and motors. If you're out on the Yaquina this weekend be mindful of the tidal weeds coming in.
Between the weeds, the warmer temps and less active fish, the Yaquina fishery has not really picked up yet. We've gotten a few reports of fish being caught but it's definitely been slow.
Wild coho retention opened for coho last Friday and will run until Oct. 15. A few fish have been seen rolling and jumping in the river but not a ton have moved into the system yet. Check out the regulations before you head out this weekend. Last updated 9/26/23.