04-01-2005, 11:41 PM
Bumpy Start for Spring Chinook on Columbia & Willamette Rivers.
A spike in catch of spring Chinook salmon was reported in many areas on March 23. But then, just as quickly, all bites were off due to heavy rainfall that blew out most rivers. Success is now starting to improve as rivers drop back into shape and good numbers of fish will be available.
Cover photo: David Tindall landed this 19-pound Columbia River Springer March 20, 2005, fishing the lower end of Bradford Island below Bonneville Dam. He was one of the few and the proud who found a fish for the sack on this day. Tindall was fishing with about 15 other anglers at Bradford, a good fishing spot for salmon and sturgeon.
NW Fishing Reports by The Local Fisherman News
Spring came in like a waterfall this year and provided rivers with a significant and much needed shot of rain, a little too much for some. Rivers across Oregon and Washington were at all-time lows and runs of salmon and steelhead were delayed due to poor water conditions.
So far it’s been a bumpy ride for anglers, with good fishing one day then poor the next. On Sunday, March 27, rivers rose by several feet and flows increased dramatically, boosting the hopes of anglers that the freshet may encourage the main run of spring salmon to enter the Columbia and Willamette rivers soon.
As river levels begin to drop and waters once again become fishable, anglers can expect to find excellent success for salmon and steelhead at most locations. As of Monday, March 28, many of the smaller streams were already dropping, some at an average of a foot every 12 hours.
Columbia River: (At Bonneville Dam - 45.3° F / 111.80 kcfs). Visibility at Longview on March 29, was about one foot. Bonneville has recently cut spill by 33.10 kcfs and flows have tapered off from a high of 144.90 kcfs on March 23, to 111.80 on March 28. Passage numbers of spring Chinook are lagging behind at Bonneville Dam.
The spring salmon season received a shot in the arm last week with decent rains drawing some good sized pods of fish into the lower Columbia. Not many fish made it as far as the mouth of the Willamette, however, a fair number did enter the lower Multnomah Channel up to Coon Island.
The lower Columbia near Rainer was red hot on March 25, and many fish were caught. Bank anglers at popular locations like Dibble and Prescott saw excellent catches of spring Chinook, some steelhead were taken also. Boat anglers landed exceptionally good numbers of springers fishing the lower Columbia at Aldrich Point.
This month anglers can expect the catch to improve with a more consistent bite and fewer ups and downs, as we head toward the peak catch in mid-April.
One Pole Per Angler — Retain a Salmon or Steelhead and Stop Fishing. Anglers fishing the Columbia River between Rooster Rock Park and Bonneville Dam (Area 4) are reminded that through May 15, or until guidelines are achieved (whichever comes first), the special daily bag limit is one adult hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after they have retained one fin-clipped steelhead or one fin-clipped adult Chinook salmon.
Citations, Not Warnings, Will Be Issued.
Washington officers say they will likely continue to issue citations in all insistences, while Oregon officers say that warnings are more likely to be the norm, except in the more blatant cases.
As of March 25, a total of three anglers fishing Area 4 have received citations according to Rick Web, a Skamania County Game Officer in Washington. Oregon officers have not yet issued any citations or warnings.
All of the ticketed anglers reportedly, after catching their limit of one salmon or steelhead, had placed their poles back into the holder and continued fishing. This is a common practice in the lower river, like at Buoy 10, where it helps to increase the odds for others in the boat, and where it is legal to do so.
But in the upper river, between Rooster Rock and Bonneville Dam (Area 4), any bank or boat angler who catches and retains a salmon or steelhead during the new one fish daily bag limit rule, must put his or her pole away and stop fishing for salmon and steelhead. If not, they run the risk of reciving a hefty fine and could possibly have their equipment confiscated. The fine is $500.00 in Washington.
For example, if you are in a boat that contains four anglers and one angler catches and retains a salmon or steelhead, you can now legally fish only three poles from this boat, not four.
Salmon and steelhead fishing is allowed in the area from the Dam to Roster Rock three days a week on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only, March 16–May 15, or until guidelines are achieved, whichever comes first.
The Columbia River below Rooster Rock is currently open seven days a week with the usual two fin-clipped salmon or steelhead bag limit.
Walleye fishing has been good in both The Dalles and John Day pools, with boat anglers averaging about one fish per rod in The Dalles Pool. Anglers in the John Day Pool are also catching some nice smallmouth bass.
Willamette River: (Below Falls - 45° F / 14.35 feet / 47,500 flow / 1.0 foot visibility). A good number of spring Chinook have already passed over the falls at Oregon City; 238 as of March 25.
The river was clouding up fast on Sunday from heavy rains upstream and with more rain predicted it will likely remain muddy through most of this week.
At the head of the Multnomah Channel fishing has been slow, there was not much pressure over the weekend and few fish were reported caught. The same held true for the lower channel at Coon Island and at St Helens.
The fish counting at Willamette Falls is being reported more quickly than ever before. Thanks to ODFW for efficient operation at the Clackamas office and the fish ladder!
Sturgeon: Catch of sturgeon is currently best in the Bonneville Pool area. Sturgeon fishing has been extremely poor for anglers in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam and in the Willamette since the first of February. The ODFW reported 0 catch for February on the Columbia and in March only two keeper sturgeon were checked below Bonneville Dam. A total of about 25 sturgeon were caught in the Willamette during the two sturgeon derbies held in March.
Sheilla Cannon at The Fishery said she has not had a keeper brought up the ramp since before January 1, 2005.
“Reports I am getting from anglers is that the number of shakers has recently increased, but still no keepers,” Cannon said. “In the salmon fishery there were several reports of natives being hooked last Sunday, opening day. On Monday and Tuesday there were some hatchery fish brought in, but overall fishing was slow.”
“The weather made fishing tough this weekend, but some hatchery salmon were landed, mostly by bank anglers. A good catch was reported at Warrendale Beach and North Bonneville Sunday, March 27. The best fishing has been found along the Washington side.”
It is estimated that a significant number of sturgeon are currently being taken by sea lions. Biologists suspect that the sea lions are using sturgeon as a secondary food source until the salmon run arrives.
Reports of sea lions munching on sturgeon have become so numerous this past month, that one out of every two anglers actively fishing the Columbia or Willamette rivers has reported witnessing an encounter. That’s a lot of sturgeon being gobbled up and spring salmon are destined to be the second course.
The same “30 Second Rule” that once only applied to Columbia and Willamette River salmon anglers, now holds true for sturgeon anglers as well. That is you have approximately 30 seconds to get your hooked fish out of the water before a sea lion rips it from your grasp.
At many areas on the big rivers it’s turning the sport of fishing into more of a triathlon, because anglers must horse their fish in quickly without playing it, or they run the risk of loosing it to a sea lion
The problem has become so commonplace that many anglers and fish biologists alike, believe that it will only be a matter of time before an angler is severely injured by one of these extremely aggressive animals while in the process of netting their catch. Last year there were two verified reports of sea lions taking fish from sports anglers after the fish had been netted.
Low flows of the Columbia and a poor smelt return, combined with sea lion predation, may have driven many sturgeon to ……
Sandy River: (Below Marmot - 45° F / 685.67 feet / 2,380 cfs.). After recent rains the Sandy began to rise the afternoon of March 26, and flow increased from 442 cfs to 2,380 cfs. The Sandy was beginning to clear a little and green up as of 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 28.
Rob Brown at Jack’s Snack-N-Tackle said the Sandy is blown out. We are hoping that the freezing levels will drop on Mt. Hood which will clear up the water rather quickly.
“When the river gets back into shape anglers can expect to find very good numbers of wild and hatchery brood-stock winter steelhead, along with better numbers of summer steelhead and a few spring Chinook also,” Brown said. “Anglers were seeing fair numbers of early summer steelhead just prior the blowout.”
“As the water drops look for fish near the mouth of ….
Clackamas River: (At Estacada - 50.06° F / 17.04 feet / 8,700 cfs.).
Ray Akre at Estacada Tackle said Clackamas brood-stock steelhead are moving into the Clackamas Hatchery at McIver real good right now, over 77 fish have come in so far. The Clackamas fish typically run mid-February through April.
“We’ve had five summers brought into the shop already this month,” Akre said. “Normally the summers run from May through October. The first one was came in on the third of March. In years past I’ve never had a summer come in before April.”
“No Chinook yet, but I’m expecting one to come in any day now,” Akre said. “I’ve got a $10.00 bounty posted for the first one brought into the shop. I did hear of two being caught, one down by Carver. With the high water there should be some up at River Mill shortly.”
“Anglers are still catching 12-16 inch Browns, and Brookies at Harriett Lake. Timothy Lake has been good for Brookies and hold over Ranibows, although I’m not sure if …..
Eagle Creek: There wasn't much of a steelhead fishery on Eagle Creek this year, only 322 winters made it back to the hatchery with the low flows from creek. The trap at Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery was removed on March 17th and spawning of winter steelhead is complete. Facilities manager, Doug Dysart said they released their yearling Coho on Monday, March 28.
“Those fish just screamed out of here with the increased flows in the creek,” Dysart said. “They were beautiful fish too and they knew it was time to go. A good number of them have already gone down stream and that will be a big plus for their survival.”
Nestucca River: Marty Peterson at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods said the Nestucca along with many other north coast rivers are currently blown out. Prior to the high water anglers were seeing good numbers of fish on the Nestucca.
“A lot of brood-stock fish and natives were available last weekend, March 19-20. When the river comes back in shape fishing should be good,” Peterson said. “During the low water conditions anglers were finding good success drifting from ……
Trask River: Production has recently been increased for wild winter steelhead brood-stock. Originally 50,000 brood-stock smolts were released at the Hatchery, now, beginning in the spring of 2006, releases will increase to …..
Roslyn Lake: Recently planted with legal size trout, fishing has been good. A total of 115 winter steelhead have been released into Roslyn Lake this year. 114 of those were recently introduced in March.
Other surplus steelhead plants in March include Nedonna Pond - 6, …..
Rogue River: Good numbers of Spring Chinook have arrived early this year and fishing was surprisingly good on March 24, 25 and 26, prior to the high water. The lower river is currently blown out, but should be back in shape by Friday, April 1. Agness to the mouth will provide good opportunity for winter steelhead and some spring Chinook. Prior to the high water anglers were doing well fishing from ……
South Coast Lakes Receive Trophy Trout. The following lakes received plants of 3-pound trophy trout on March 21: ….. (For April stocking see page 17).
Central Oregon: With this year’s low snow pack anglers can be assured that many high elevation lakes will be accessible earlier than usual this season.
(BEND) The Deschutes County Road Department will soon be plowing Century Drive, the gateway to many popular lakes. Gordon Dukes, road maintince supervisor, said they plan to begin plowing the road up to Lava Lake first, and should have it finished by …..
Some of the facilities may not be open, but owners of Paulina and East Lake resorts say they will be there and able to accommodate anglers, but it is still not known now much ice remains on the lakes.
The Deschutes River has been good for Brown trout. Some of the best hatches occur late April through October. The Deschutes is one of the few rivers in Oregon that is virtually unaffected by drought because it is spring fed.
Brandon Bischof, a central Oregon guide, said the best fishing has been mid-day between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
“Peak hatch times and dry fly fishing is between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.,” Bischof said. “Blue winged olives continue to be the dominant hatch, march browns are hatching on most days between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.”
“Micro caddis and midges are other hatches to be on the look out for. Nymph fishing has also been productive later in the ……
(BIGGS) Jim Stroud at Dinty’s Market near Biggs said walleye fishing has shown very good improvement over the past two weeks, March 14-25, from John Day Dam down to Millers Island.
“Anglers have been getting the best numbers of fish at ……
Washington —
A Washington angler hooked a trophy-sized steelhead on the Skagit River recently that – if the formula for estimating weight is accurate – would have toppled the state record for a winter-run fish. The huge buck stretched the tape at 42 ½ inches in length and 25 ½ inches in girth, putting it somewhere in the 35.6-pound range. The state record for a winter-run steelhead is a 32.75-pound monster that was caught in the east fork of the Lewis River in 1980. Remember that all wild steelhead must be released and cannot be completely removed from the water – even if they might be a new state record.
Cowlitz River: (At Castle Rock - 36.25 feet / 17,100 cfs). Last week’s rainfall pushed the river out of shape early Sunday, March 27, but by Monday the water had dropped 2 feet, from to 38.50 feet to 36.25. Prior to the high water spring salmon were plentiful in the Cowlitz and fishing was very good throughout the system. Best catch was experienced below Mayfield Dam, at the barrier dam and by bank anglers downstream from the I-5 Bridge. Steelhead were being caught from the ……
Return totals as of March 25 at Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery — Spring Chinook - 19, Winter steelhead - 2,682. With an expected return of ……
Smelt: Late last week, March 25, dippers were finding a few fish in both the Mainstem Columbia and Cowlitz rivers, but abundance has since dropped off. There remains a slim chance that a significant smelt run may still materialize. In the past smelt have entered the Cowlitz as late as April 30.
Lewis River: (At Ariel - 7.27 feet / 11,300 cfs). Heavy rain blew out most rivers in Washington except for the Lewis, where fishing for steelhead remains fair to good. The lower East Fork will open to fishing on April 16, and the upper section opens June 1.
Dan Nahitka at Fisherman’s Depot said the bulk of Lewis River fish have not yet shown up, but off the mouth in the Columbia fishing has been hot.
“I’ve been out in the Columbia six times this past week, March 21-26, and got a Chinook every trip,” Nahitka said. “I’ve had the best success using a …..
Merwin Reservoir: Good for Kokanee. Anglers are finding fish deep ……
Kalama River: Wane at Prichards Western Angler (360-673-4690) said the Kalama is currently blown out, but could be fishable by Wednesday, March 30.
“Both salmon and steelhead will be available big time,” Wane said. “The water has dropped about a foot today but its still very muddy.”
The Wind River and Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) opened to fishing March 16, and fishing is very slow. The Wind River will be open seven days a week from March 16 through June 30 from the mouth to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls. The stretch of river from Shipherd Falls to markers approximately one-half mile below the Carson National Fish Hatchery (except the closed area around Coffer Dam) will be open from May 1 through June 30.
Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) is open seven days per week through June 30, except that fishing will be closed on Wednesdays from April 13 through May 25. Fishing is allowed from the mouth to markers below the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery.
Returns of chinook to the Wind River and Drano Lake are not expected to be as strong as 2004’s high numbers, but biologists still anticipate good fisheries at both.
Washington Trout: More than 300,000 Washingtonians will kick off the 2005-06 fishing season with the lowland lakes trout-fishing opener, set for April 30.
REMINDER: Washington anglers are reminded to purchase a new license. State fishing and hunting licenses expire at midnight on March 31.
Some Highlights of This Months Issue -
• “Expanded” Trout Stocking Schedules & Late Breaking Reports
• The Lowdown on Sturgeon -- Where They Likely Are
• PRIME TIME FOR SILVER LAKE BASS - by John Kruse
• TOUGH COMPETITION INDEED - by Tom Burgess
• Record Returns Expected on Klickitat
• High Lake Snow Access Reports - OR & WA
• Kids’ Fishing Events - WA
• Spring Chinook Releases Boosted at Youngs Bay and ...
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A spike in catch of spring Chinook salmon was reported in many areas on March 23. But then, just as quickly, all bites were off due to heavy rainfall that blew out most rivers. Success is now starting to improve as rivers drop back into shape and good numbers of fish will be available.
Cover photo: David Tindall landed this 19-pound Columbia River Springer March 20, 2005, fishing the lower end of Bradford Island below Bonneville Dam. He was one of the few and the proud who found a fish for the sack on this day. Tindall was fishing with about 15 other anglers at Bradford, a good fishing spot for salmon and sturgeon.
NW Fishing Reports by The Local Fisherman News
Spring came in like a waterfall this year and provided rivers with a significant and much needed shot of rain, a little too much for some. Rivers across Oregon and Washington were at all-time lows and runs of salmon and steelhead were delayed due to poor water conditions.
So far it’s been a bumpy ride for anglers, with good fishing one day then poor the next. On Sunday, March 27, rivers rose by several feet and flows increased dramatically, boosting the hopes of anglers that the freshet may encourage the main run of spring salmon to enter the Columbia and Willamette rivers soon.
As river levels begin to drop and waters once again become fishable, anglers can expect to find excellent success for salmon and steelhead at most locations. As of Monday, March 28, many of the smaller streams were already dropping, some at an average of a foot every 12 hours.
Columbia River: (At Bonneville Dam - 45.3° F / 111.80 kcfs). Visibility at Longview on March 29, was about one foot. Bonneville has recently cut spill by 33.10 kcfs and flows have tapered off from a high of 144.90 kcfs on March 23, to 111.80 on March 28. Passage numbers of spring Chinook are lagging behind at Bonneville Dam.
The spring salmon season received a shot in the arm last week with decent rains drawing some good sized pods of fish into the lower Columbia. Not many fish made it as far as the mouth of the Willamette, however, a fair number did enter the lower Multnomah Channel up to Coon Island.
The lower Columbia near Rainer was red hot on March 25, and many fish were caught. Bank anglers at popular locations like Dibble and Prescott saw excellent catches of spring Chinook, some steelhead were taken also. Boat anglers landed exceptionally good numbers of springers fishing the lower Columbia at Aldrich Point.
This month anglers can expect the catch to improve with a more consistent bite and fewer ups and downs, as we head toward the peak catch in mid-April.
One Pole Per Angler — Retain a Salmon or Steelhead and Stop Fishing. Anglers fishing the Columbia River between Rooster Rock Park and Bonneville Dam (Area 4) are reminded that through May 15, or until guidelines are achieved (whichever comes first), the special daily bag limit is one adult hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead. Anglers may not continue to fish for salmon or steelhead after they have retained one fin-clipped steelhead or one fin-clipped adult Chinook salmon.
Citations, Not Warnings, Will Be Issued.
Washington officers say they will likely continue to issue citations in all insistences, while Oregon officers say that warnings are more likely to be the norm, except in the more blatant cases.
As of March 25, a total of three anglers fishing Area 4 have received citations according to Rick Web, a Skamania County Game Officer in Washington. Oregon officers have not yet issued any citations or warnings.
All of the ticketed anglers reportedly, after catching their limit of one salmon or steelhead, had placed their poles back into the holder and continued fishing. This is a common practice in the lower river, like at Buoy 10, where it helps to increase the odds for others in the boat, and where it is legal to do so.
But in the upper river, between Rooster Rock and Bonneville Dam (Area 4), any bank or boat angler who catches and retains a salmon or steelhead during the new one fish daily bag limit rule, must put his or her pole away and stop fishing for salmon and steelhead. If not, they run the risk of reciving a hefty fine and could possibly have their equipment confiscated. The fine is $500.00 in Washington.
For example, if you are in a boat that contains four anglers and one angler catches and retains a salmon or steelhead, you can now legally fish only three poles from this boat, not four.
Salmon and steelhead fishing is allowed in the area from the Dam to Roster Rock three days a week on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays only, March 16–May 15, or until guidelines are achieved, whichever comes first.
The Columbia River below Rooster Rock is currently open seven days a week with the usual two fin-clipped salmon or steelhead bag limit.
Walleye fishing has been good in both The Dalles and John Day pools, with boat anglers averaging about one fish per rod in The Dalles Pool. Anglers in the John Day Pool are also catching some nice smallmouth bass.
Willamette River: (Below Falls - 45° F / 14.35 feet / 47,500 flow / 1.0 foot visibility). A good number of spring Chinook have already passed over the falls at Oregon City; 238 as of March 25.
The river was clouding up fast on Sunday from heavy rains upstream and with more rain predicted it will likely remain muddy through most of this week.
At the head of the Multnomah Channel fishing has been slow, there was not much pressure over the weekend and few fish were reported caught. The same held true for the lower channel at Coon Island and at St Helens.
The fish counting at Willamette Falls is being reported more quickly than ever before. Thanks to ODFW for efficient operation at the Clackamas office and the fish ladder!
Sturgeon: Catch of sturgeon is currently best in the Bonneville Pool area. Sturgeon fishing has been extremely poor for anglers in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam and in the Willamette since the first of February. The ODFW reported 0 catch for February on the Columbia and in March only two keeper sturgeon were checked below Bonneville Dam. A total of about 25 sturgeon were caught in the Willamette during the two sturgeon derbies held in March.
Sheilla Cannon at The Fishery said she has not had a keeper brought up the ramp since before January 1, 2005.
“Reports I am getting from anglers is that the number of shakers has recently increased, but still no keepers,” Cannon said. “In the salmon fishery there were several reports of natives being hooked last Sunday, opening day. On Monday and Tuesday there were some hatchery fish brought in, but overall fishing was slow.”
“The weather made fishing tough this weekend, but some hatchery salmon were landed, mostly by bank anglers. A good catch was reported at Warrendale Beach and North Bonneville Sunday, March 27. The best fishing has been found along the Washington side.”
It is estimated that a significant number of sturgeon are currently being taken by sea lions. Biologists suspect that the sea lions are using sturgeon as a secondary food source until the salmon run arrives.
Reports of sea lions munching on sturgeon have become so numerous this past month, that one out of every two anglers actively fishing the Columbia or Willamette rivers has reported witnessing an encounter. That’s a lot of sturgeon being gobbled up and spring salmon are destined to be the second course.
The same “30 Second Rule” that once only applied to Columbia and Willamette River salmon anglers, now holds true for sturgeon anglers as well. That is you have approximately 30 seconds to get your hooked fish out of the water before a sea lion rips it from your grasp.
At many areas on the big rivers it’s turning the sport of fishing into more of a triathlon, because anglers must horse their fish in quickly without playing it, or they run the risk of loosing it to a sea lion
The problem has become so commonplace that many anglers and fish biologists alike, believe that it will only be a matter of time before an angler is severely injured by one of these extremely aggressive animals while in the process of netting their catch. Last year there were two verified reports of sea lions taking fish from sports anglers after the fish had been netted.
Low flows of the Columbia and a poor smelt return, combined with sea lion predation, may have driven many sturgeon to ……
Sandy River: (Below Marmot - 45° F / 685.67 feet / 2,380 cfs.). After recent rains the Sandy began to rise the afternoon of March 26, and flow increased from 442 cfs to 2,380 cfs. The Sandy was beginning to clear a little and green up as of 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 28.
Rob Brown at Jack’s Snack-N-Tackle said the Sandy is blown out. We are hoping that the freezing levels will drop on Mt. Hood which will clear up the water rather quickly.
“When the river gets back into shape anglers can expect to find very good numbers of wild and hatchery brood-stock winter steelhead, along with better numbers of summer steelhead and a few spring Chinook also,” Brown said. “Anglers were seeing fair numbers of early summer steelhead just prior the blowout.”
“As the water drops look for fish near the mouth of ….
Clackamas River: (At Estacada - 50.06° F / 17.04 feet / 8,700 cfs.).
Ray Akre at Estacada Tackle said Clackamas brood-stock steelhead are moving into the Clackamas Hatchery at McIver real good right now, over 77 fish have come in so far. The Clackamas fish typically run mid-February through April.
“We’ve had five summers brought into the shop already this month,” Akre said. “Normally the summers run from May through October. The first one was came in on the third of March. In years past I’ve never had a summer come in before April.”
“No Chinook yet, but I’m expecting one to come in any day now,” Akre said. “I’ve got a $10.00 bounty posted for the first one brought into the shop. I did hear of two being caught, one down by Carver. With the high water there should be some up at River Mill shortly.”
“Anglers are still catching 12-16 inch Browns, and Brookies at Harriett Lake. Timothy Lake has been good for Brookies and hold over Ranibows, although I’m not sure if …..
Eagle Creek: There wasn't much of a steelhead fishery on Eagle Creek this year, only 322 winters made it back to the hatchery with the low flows from creek. The trap at Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery was removed on March 17th and spawning of winter steelhead is complete. Facilities manager, Doug Dysart said they released their yearling Coho on Monday, March 28.
“Those fish just screamed out of here with the increased flows in the creek,” Dysart said. “They were beautiful fish too and they knew it was time to go. A good number of them have already gone down stream and that will be a big plus for their survival.”
Nestucca River: Marty Peterson at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods said the Nestucca along with many other north coast rivers are currently blown out. Prior to the high water anglers were seeing good numbers of fish on the Nestucca.
“A lot of brood-stock fish and natives were available last weekend, March 19-20. When the river comes back in shape fishing should be good,” Peterson said. “During the low water conditions anglers were finding good success drifting from ……
Trask River: Production has recently been increased for wild winter steelhead brood-stock. Originally 50,000 brood-stock smolts were released at the Hatchery, now, beginning in the spring of 2006, releases will increase to …..
Roslyn Lake: Recently planted with legal size trout, fishing has been good. A total of 115 winter steelhead have been released into Roslyn Lake this year. 114 of those were recently introduced in March.
Other surplus steelhead plants in March include Nedonna Pond - 6, …..
Rogue River: Good numbers of Spring Chinook have arrived early this year and fishing was surprisingly good on March 24, 25 and 26, prior to the high water. The lower river is currently blown out, but should be back in shape by Friday, April 1. Agness to the mouth will provide good opportunity for winter steelhead and some spring Chinook. Prior to the high water anglers were doing well fishing from ……
South Coast Lakes Receive Trophy Trout. The following lakes received plants of 3-pound trophy trout on March 21: ….. (For April stocking see page 17).
Central Oregon: With this year’s low snow pack anglers can be assured that many high elevation lakes will be accessible earlier than usual this season.
(BEND) The Deschutes County Road Department will soon be plowing Century Drive, the gateway to many popular lakes. Gordon Dukes, road maintince supervisor, said they plan to begin plowing the road up to Lava Lake first, and should have it finished by …..
Some of the facilities may not be open, but owners of Paulina and East Lake resorts say they will be there and able to accommodate anglers, but it is still not known now much ice remains on the lakes.
The Deschutes River has been good for Brown trout. Some of the best hatches occur late April through October. The Deschutes is one of the few rivers in Oregon that is virtually unaffected by drought because it is spring fed.
Brandon Bischof, a central Oregon guide, said the best fishing has been mid-day between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
“Peak hatch times and dry fly fishing is between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.,” Bischof said. “Blue winged olives continue to be the dominant hatch, march browns are hatching on most days between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.”
“Micro caddis and midges are other hatches to be on the look out for. Nymph fishing has also been productive later in the ……
(BIGGS) Jim Stroud at Dinty’s Market near Biggs said walleye fishing has shown very good improvement over the past two weeks, March 14-25, from John Day Dam down to Millers Island.
“Anglers have been getting the best numbers of fish at ……
Washington —
A Washington angler hooked a trophy-sized steelhead on the Skagit River recently that – if the formula for estimating weight is accurate – would have toppled the state record for a winter-run fish. The huge buck stretched the tape at 42 ½ inches in length and 25 ½ inches in girth, putting it somewhere in the 35.6-pound range. The state record for a winter-run steelhead is a 32.75-pound monster that was caught in the east fork of the Lewis River in 1980. Remember that all wild steelhead must be released and cannot be completely removed from the water – even if they might be a new state record.
Cowlitz River: (At Castle Rock - 36.25 feet / 17,100 cfs). Last week’s rainfall pushed the river out of shape early Sunday, March 27, but by Monday the water had dropped 2 feet, from to 38.50 feet to 36.25. Prior to the high water spring salmon were plentiful in the Cowlitz and fishing was very good throughout the system. Best catch was experienced below Mayfield Dam, at the barrier dam and by bank anglers downstream from the I-5 Bridge. Steelhead were being caught from the ……
Return totals as of March 25 at Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery — Spring Chinook - 19, Winter steelhead - 2,682. With an expected return of ……
Smelt: Late last week, March 25, dippers were finding a few fish in both the Mainstem Columbia and Cowlitz rivers, but abundance has since dropped off. There remains a slim chance that a significant smelt run may still materialize. In the past smelt have entered the Cowlitz as late as April 30.
Lewis River: (At Ariel - 7.27 feet / 11,300 cfs). Heavy rain blew out most rivers in Washington except for the Lewis, where fishing for steelhead remains fair to good. The lower East Fork will open to fishing on April 16, and the upper section opens June 1.
Dan Nahitka at Fisherman’s Depot said the bulk of Lewis River fish have not yet shown up, but off the mouth in the Columbia fishing has been hot.
“I’ve been out in the Columbia six times this past week, March 21-26, and got a Chinook every trip,” Nahitka said. “I’ve had the best success using a …..
Merwin Reservoir: Good for Kokanee. Anglers are finding fish deep ……
Kalama River: Wane at Prichards Western Angler (360-673-4690) said the Kalama is currently blown out, but could be fishable by Wednesday, March 30.
“Both salmon and steelhead will be available big time,” Wane said. “The water has dropped about a foot today but its still very muddy.”
The Wind River and Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) opened to fishing March 16, and fishing is very slow. The Wind River will be open seven days a week from March 16 through June 30 from the mouth to 400 feet below Shipherd Falls. The stretch of river from Shipherd Falls to markers approximately one-half mile below the Carson National Fish Hatchery (except the closed area around Coffer Dam) will be open from May 1 through June 30.
Drano Lake (Little White Salmon River) is open seven days per week through June 30, except that fishing will be closed on Wednesdays from April 13 through May 25. Fishing is allowed from the mouth to markers below the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery.
Returns of chinook to the Wind River and Drano Lake are not expected to be as strong as 2004’s high numbers, but biologists still anticipate good fisheries at both.
Washington Trout: More than 300,000 Washingtonians will kick off the 2005-06 fishing season with the lowland lakes trout-fishing opener, set for April 30.
REMINDER: Washington anglers are reminded to purchase a new license. State fishing and hunting licenses expire at midnight on March 31.
Some Highlights of This Months Issue -
• “Expanded” Trout Stocking Schedules & Late Breaking Reports
• The Lowdown on Sturgeon -- Where They Likely Are
• PRIME TIME FOR SILVER LAKE BASS - by John Kruse
• TOUGH COMPETITION INDEED - by Tom Burgess
• Record Returns Expected on Klickitat
• High Lake Snow Access Reports - OR & WA
• Kids’ Fishing Events - WA
• Spring Chinook Releases Boosted at Youngs Bay and ...
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