|
December 30, 2008 ODFW Recreation Report
Winter steelhead
entering coastal rivers
Winter steelhead season
is underway in coastal rivers and streams. Recent cold, wet conditions
have made fishing conditions challenging but look for fishing to improve
as water levels fall and water clarity improves.
Weekend fishing opportunities:
Early hatchery winter steelhead fisheries should be peaking over the next
two to three weeks. Look for streams such as Big Creek, Necanicum River,
North Fork Nehalem River, Kilchis River, Wilson River and Nestucca River
to produce fish. Projected warmer weather could lead to rising rivers as
snow melts- check river conditions before heading out.
The seasonal coho
fisheries on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes offer an unusual opportunity to
fish for wild coho salmon. The seasonal coho fisheries on Siltcoos and
Tahkenitch lakes offer an unusual opportunity to fish for wild coho
salmon. It is currently a slow fishery and not expected to be good over
the next couple weeks.
KILCHIS RIVER: steelhead
Winter steelhead angling is slow. River conditions have generally not been
conducive to good angling. Look for decent numbers of steelhead to be
available after the next high water. The lower river offers the best
opportunity at hatchery fish. A log jam spans the lower river, but is
passable. Boaters should use extreme caution.
NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead
A few winter steelhead are being caught. Concentrate on the lower river,
where more fish should be holding, until high water raises the stream and
spurs fish movement upstream. Boaters should use caution, as there have
been reports of impassable log jams along the river.
NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead
Increasing numbers of winter steelhead are available. Most fish are
holding in the lower river up to the hatchery, but should move when rains
raise the stream. Call 503-368-5670 for recorded fishing information.
NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead
Winter steelhead angling is fair. Hatchery fish are spread out through the
river up to Blaine, and in Three Rivers. About three dozen fish have been
recycled from the Cedar Creek Hatchery this season.
SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead
Steelhead fishing has picked up recently as river conditions have improved
for angling. Steelhead can be found throughout most of the river with good
bank and boat opportunities from Morgan Park up to Moonshine Park. During
higher flows, anglers should focus on angling above the town of Siletz.
TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon
Angling for sturgeon has been good recently. Sand shrimp fished on the
bottom in the deeper channels will produce the best results. Move
frequently to find fish if you are not getting bites.
TRASK RIVER: steelhead
Winter steelhead angling is fair, with a few stray hatchery fish
available. Fish seem to be spread out through the river system, with some
fish available in the north and south forks. Best success on fresh fish is
in the lower river until the next freshet
WILSON RIVER: steelhead
Fresh winter steelhead are being caught, primarily in the lower river.
Angling has been slow to fair, but should improve after the next good
rain.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish
Rockfish daily bag limit has returned to six fish and is open to the
40-fathom line. Sport anglers may still retain two lingcod but cabezon may
no longer be retained by boat anglers.
ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: steelhead
The river is high and muddy. Anglers should keep an eye on the flows and
try to hit the river when flows drop below 12000 cfs at Agness. Bank
anglers fishing spin-n-glos glows really close to the bank will fair the
best. As the river clears anglers can start to fish a little farther away
from the bank.
ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: trout, steelhead
Fishing is slow and
pressure is light because of the cold weather. Recent rains have caused
the river to swell and become very turbid. The flow at Grants Pass on Dec.
30 was 10,400 cubic feet per second.
ROGUE RIVER, UPPER:
trout, steelhead
Fishing is very slow and
few anglers have been out in the last week. Recent rains have increased
flows and turbidity. As of Dec. 30, the flow out of William Jess Dam (Lost
Creek) was 1838 cfs and the outflow temperature was 43 degrees. At Gold
Ray Dam, the Rogue was flowing at over 5,000 cfs. Anglers are reminded
that even during high water and turbid conditions along most of the Rogue,
conditions are usually good between Big Butte Creek and Cole Rivers
Hatchery where reservoir outflows predominate.
As of Dec. 23, 5837
summer steelhead and 2424 coho have been counted at Gold Ray Dam. The
river is open to the harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead year-round.
The Rogue is also open for trout fishing with a limit of five adipose
fin-clipped trout per day, 8 inch minimum length, but all non-adipose
fin-clipped rainbow and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed.
Bank anglers can enjoy good success between the hatchery and the Highway
62 Bridge, and at public access points such as Casey State Park, Rogue Elk
Park, and Touvelle State Park.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: steehead
Prior to the cold weather and snowstorm, winter steelhead were found to be
spread throughout the lower river. Portland General Electric reports the
first early wild winter steelhead were passed above North Fork Dam a few
weeks ago. Good numbers of early wild fish can be a good indicator of what
is to come later when the peak of the run comes in around mid-March.
A few bank anglers have reported picking up a few fish, although fishing
is generally slow. It should begin to pick up as the temperature
moderates.
The heavy rains that followed the recent snowfall have lead to
considerable run-off and very high flows. It could be the weekend before
the river is in any shape to be fishable. Monday readings for the
Clackamas showed flows at 7,980 cfs (15.18’) with a water temperature near
39°.
SANDY RIVER: steelhead
The Sandy winter steelhead are now a later returning stock than anglers
were used to a few years ago. This is a result of the wild brood stock
program initiated under the current Sandy River fish management plan.
In the days prior to the cold winter weather that hit the area there were
reports of a few winters in the system. The high flows and poor water
conditions will likely slow any effort on the river until the weekend, at
the earliest. Once the water drops and some good color returns anglers
should expect improved catch rates moving into January.
Sandy River water levels after Monday’s readings showed flows up
dramatically to 10,600 cfs (13.20’) with the water temperature holding
near 38°.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: sturgeon, steelhead, warmwater species
Through Dec. 26, 7,019 coho (4,048 adults and 2,971 jacks) have passed
over Willamette Falls. The large number of jacks bodes well for coho
returns next fall. A few early winter steelhead continue to move over the
falls, but the numbers are typically low (216 to date) and we would not
expect decent numbers of fish to begin moving over the falls until early
January, water conditions permitting. You may want to start planning your
trip to take advantage of excellent catch and release opportunities for
wild winter steelhead in the Molalla and Santiam rivers this winter.
Early hatchery winter steelhead returning to Eagle Creek Hatchery on the
Clackamas as well as early wild winter steelhead can provide good
opportunity in the Willamette between the mouth of the Clackamas and
Meldrum Bar. Fish will tend to hold in this area as they wait for cues to
move into tributaries or above Willamette Falls. Low river flows or cold
snaps will tend to slow fish down and the big water of the Willamette can
provide some intriguing opportunities early in the year.
The ongoing snowmelt and runoff have greatly affected water conditions on
the lower Willamette. Dec. 29 readings showed Willamette flows powering up
to 63,700 cfs with a temperature of 41° and visibility diminished to less
than 1.0 ft. There is also a considerable amount of debris in the river
that demands angler caution.
Despite poor water
conditions sturgeon angling seemed to be improving over the weekend in the
lower Willamette. From Multnomah Channel to the lower Portland Harbor near
St. Johns, and on up through the Milwaukie/Oregon City area sublegal
sturgeon catch was common. There were also a fairly good number of keepers
reported. Rain and melting snow should improve sturgeon fishing prospects,
especially if water temperatures warm.
Sturgeon anglers are reminded that effective Jan. 1, 2009, a new method of
measuring sturgeon for retention will take effect statewide. Under the new
rules, sturgeon will be measured from the tip of the nose to the fork in
the tail (rather than the tip of the tail). The resulting allowed
retention measurements are slightly shorter than the old method. As a
result, the 2009 slot measurement for sturgeon caught in the Willamette
River will be 38 to 54 inches. Remember, this is a simple conversion of
the old method. It does not mean you can keep smaller fish, only that the
method of measuring “keepers” has changed. From Jan. 1 on, make sure that
your sturgeon is of legal length under this NEW measurement technique.
For a detailed explanation of how to measure sturgeon under the new rule,
please visit our Web site at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/docs/sturgeon_angler_notice_flyer.pdf
Sturgeon anglers are also reminded that under regulations adopted Dec. 18
by the states of Oregon and Washington, retention will be reduced to three
days a week – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – effective Jan. 1.
The Willamette provides an excellent warm water fishery in the summer and
early fall months. You can expect to find an abundance of bass, crappie,
and bluegill available. Target the rocky outcroppings, structures, or old
pilings. Casting a variety of plugs or jigs near the shoreline can be
successful. A simple bobber and night crawler might prove to be the right
choice also. The local tackle shops can set you up with the right gear and
direct you to the best spots. Lately, warm water anglers have reported
catching primarily smallmouth bass at depths of 30 to 40 feet.
DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout
Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout, fall chinook
Steelhead angling closes on December 31, 2008, on the upper portion of the
lower Deschutes River from the northern boundary of the Warm Springs
Reservation upstream to Pelton Dam.
Winter angling for trout, whitefish and steelhead on the lower Deschutes
can be a fun way to enjoy a quiet winter day. Angling is open for these
species year round in the Deschutes from the Columbia River upstream to
the Northern Boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation. The highest
concentration of trout and whitefish are from around Maupin upstream to
the reservation boundary. Steelhead can occasionally be caught in these
areas as well. Trout anglers should focus on the slower water due to the
colder water temperatures, back eddies are typically the most productive
in winter. Fly anglers can be successful using an indicator with a large
stonefly and a small dropper.
• Recent warm weather should increase trout and whitefish feeding activity
on the Crooked River.
• Winter angling for trout, whitefish and steelhead on the lower Deschutes
can be a fun way to enjoy a quiet winter day.
HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead, winter steelhead
Anglers are reporting catch of a few summer steelhead still holding in the
lower Hood River. Few winter steelhead have arrived yet at the Powerdale
Dam Trap, but early fish should begin to arrive as temperatures warm.
Frigid temperatures will hamper angling success on the Hood River. Anglers
should be aware that ice and snow accumulation may cause access problems.
The deep snow that has hampered access to the Hood River is melting and
access should improve by the weekend. Angler success will improve as the
river and flows drop.
Find out how many fish are being captured at the Powerdale Dam trap.
COLUMBIA FISHING
Weekend Fishing Opportunities
• Effective Thursday Jan. 1, 2009 sturgeon retention is allowed three days
a week (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from Bonneville Dam downstream to
Wauna power lines with a 38-inch minimum and 54-inch maximum fork length
restriction in effect.
• Some winter steelhead should be available from beaches on the lower
Columbia for anglers willing to brave the elements.
Columbia River Fish Counts:
https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/fishdata/home.asp
Regulations:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/columbia.asp
MARINE FISHING
Cold temperatures and large waves between 12- and 18-feet high kept
coastal sport fishing inside bays and estuaries recently. Fishing for
rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish species is good when weather and
ocean conditions permit. Lingcod fishing should steadily improve over the
next few months as they move inshore to lay eggs. Boat anglers may retain
cabezon after Jan. 1.
A list of fish included in the six-fish marine bag limit 2009 Oregon Sport
Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Fish Species and
online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp
Remember: yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish may not be retained. The
Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area approximately 15 miles
west of Newport is closed to the harvest of rockfish, lingcod, flatfish
and others.
All salmon and Pacific halibut fishing in the ocean is closed.
CRABS
The crab harvest continues to be good to very good in most Oregon bays,
however prolonged heavy rains may force crab out of some bays. Boat
crabbers were successful with some getting limits in most of the bays
surveyed. Recreational Bay Crab Survey data on catch statistics are
updated about every two weeks on the ODFW Web site at the
recently-launched “Crabbing Reports” page (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/crab/reports.asp)
This provides prospective crabbers some information on the recent success
of other crabbers in the five bays that are sampled: Tillamook Bay,
Netarts Bay, Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay and Coos Bay.
Sport crabbing in the ocean opened Dec. 1.
Some sport crabbers have difficulty correctly measuring the minimum size
for Dungeness crab, which is 5 3⁄4 inches measured in a straight line
across the back immediately in front of, but not including, the points.
For a photograph and diagram see page 96 of the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing
Regulations booklet.
For more
information or to book your trip
(503) 351-0547
(503) 377-2719
Pro Guide Lee Darby
E-mail
catch@leedarbysfishing.com |
