04-09-2005, 02:11 PM
Oregon & Washington Fisheries Update
April 8th – April 14th, 2005
Spring Chinook fishing has still not taken off like most would have anticipated. Sporadic results are being seen throughout the river and most of us are awaiting for the mother lode to come in. Although the Columbia remains a bit colored below the Willamette and Cowlitz, clarity is no longer a factor in success. Davis Bar at the mouth of the Willamette on the Washington side has been a stand-out story. Pinnepeds rule at Bonneville!
Sturgeon fishing remains slow for keepers below Bonneville but both boat and bank anglers are having some luck in the Bonneville, the Dalles and John Day pools.
Walleye fishing has been good but they are moving into the spawning stage and will become increasingly challenging to catch.
The North Coast steelheading was excellent last week after flood waters came down. The rivers should stay in good shape over the weekend but that “mother lode” has come and gone. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers remain open and spring Chinook are now an option although far from peaking.
Crabbing is poor and sturgeon fishing has slowed but a favorable tide series this week may bolster catches and bay clamming is now an option. Shellfish harvesters may now target razor clams from the Columbia River south to Coos Head at Charleston.
The surf is big so perch anglers are advised to approach with extreme caution. Bottom fishing anglers will find success when the ocean is calm enough to fish.
The Umpqua spring chinook fishing has picked up now that the river is coming back into shape. Sturgeon are on the bite below Reedsport. Rogue anglers are enjoying catches of springers by the score in the lower river.
Spring chinook fishing improved slightly in the lower Willamette and will continue to pick up with through April. One factor holding back the fish is water temperature in the mid-40s.
While the Clackamas got a good shot of summer steelhead as a result of the recent rainfall, but fishing remains spotty. Anglers are having to work hard for steelhead on the Sandy. Water temperatures remain low as do the numbers of spring chinook entering.
Diamond Lake will be stocked with nice-sized trout prior to the opener on April 23rd.
Trout were stocked this week in Cleawox Lake, Carter Lake, Canby Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Trojan Ponds, St. Louis Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir, Roaring River Park, Walling Pond, Waverly Lake, Burns Pond, Chickahominy and Krumbo Reservoirs.
Full length subscribers will note a significant section on Washington fishing this week. The Guide's Forecast- Washington edition is coming to fruition as requested by our numerous readers and pro guide Kevin Newell (360-430-2521) is doing a bang-up job of making it happen. Enjoy the fruits of his labor and for our free version subscribers, here is a re-cap of the Washington report:
Lewis River steelheading is all but over however, Kalama steelheading still has “game” and there are a few spring Chinook available too.
The Cowlitz River is shaping up for a nice return of spring Chinook this year. Although the run is underway, it is still weeks away from peaking.
Puget Sound Blackmouth are on their way out but offshore, anglers are awaiting the Neah Bay bottomfishery as there are commonly large lings taken in it.
Snake River warmwater species began to stir but have since slowed. Warmer water temps will again stimulate the bite but when exactly will that happen again?
Yakima River trout fishing is holding up well for those willing to downsize to small March Browns. This action should keep up for a little while longer.
Good razor clam digging should take place on many of Washington's razor clam beaches this weekend. Be sure to have your shellfish license with you!
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April 8th – April 14th, 2005
Spring Chinook fishing has still not taken off like most would have anticipated. Sporadic results are being seen throughout the river and most of us are awaiting for the mother lode to come in. Although the Columbia remains a bit colored below the Willamette and Cowlitz, clarity is no longer a factor in success. Davis Bar at the mouth of the Willamette on the Washington side has been a stand-out story. Pinnepeds rule at Bonneville!
Sturgeon fishing remains slow for keepers below Bonneville but both boat and bank anglers are having some luck in the Bonneville, the Dalles and John Day pools.
Walleye fishing has been good but they are moving into the spawning stage and will become increasingly challenging to catch.
The North Coast steelheading was excellent last week after flood waters came down. The rivers should stay in good shape over the weekend but that “mother lode” has come and gone. The Trask, Wilson and Nestucca Rivers remain open and spring Chinook are now an option although far from peaking.
Crabbing is poor and sturgeon fishing has slowed but a favorable tide series this week may bolster catches and bay clamming is now an option. Shellfish harvesters may now target razor clams from the Columbia River south to Coos Head at Charleston.
The surf is big so perch anglers are advised to approach with extreme caution. Bottom fishing anglers will find success when the ocean is calm enough to fish.
The Umpqua spring chinook fishing has picked up now that the river is coming back into shape. Sturgeon are on the bite below Reedsport. Rogue anglers are enjoying catches of springers by the score in the lower river.
Spring chinook fishing improved slightly in the lower Willamette and will continue to pick up with through April. One factor holding back the fish is water temperature in the mid-40s.
While the Clackamas got a good shot of summer steelhead as a result of the recent rainfall, but fishing remains spotty. Anglers are having to work hard for steelhead on the Sandy. Water temperatures remain low as do the numbers of spring chinook entering.
Diamond Lake will be stocked with nice-sized trout prior to the opener on April 23rd.
Trout were stocked this week in Cleawox Lake, Carter Lake, Canby Pond, Henry Hagg Lake, Trojan Ponds, St. Louis Pond, Alton Baker Canal, Cottage Grove Pond, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Creswell Pond, Detroit Reservoir, Roaring River Park, Walling Pond, Waverly Lake, Burns Pond, Chickahominy and Krumbo Reservoirs.
Full length subscribers will note a significant section on Washington fishing this week. The Guide's Forecast- Washington edition is coming to fruition as requested by our numerous readers and pro guide Kevin Newell (360-430-2521) is doing a bang-up job of making it happen. Enjoy the fruits of his labor and for our free version subscribers, here is a re-cap of the Washington report:
Lewis River steelheading is all but over however, Kalama steelheading still has “game” and there are a few spring Chinook available too.
The Cowlitz River is shaping up for a nice return of spring Chinook this year. Although the run is underway, it is still weeks away from peaking.
Puget Sound Blackmouth are on their way out but offshore, anglers are awaiting the Neah Bay bottomfishery as there are commonly large lings taken in it.
Snake River warmwater species began to stir but have since slowed. Warmer water temps will again stimulate the bite but when exactly will that happen again?
Yakima River trout fishing is holding up well for those willing to downsize to small March Browns. This action should keep up for a little while longer.
Good razor clam digging should take place on many of Washington's razor clam beaches this weekend. Be sure to have your shellfish license with you!
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