ODFW Fishing Report Northwest Zone: 1.4.08

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, January 3, 2008

FISHING

Angling for fall chinook closed December 31.

Anglers, particularly boaters, should use extreme caution when fishing local waters. Many roads are blocked or damaged and large amounts of debris are present in most rivers. Log jams or other hazards may be present in many places. Silt and other debris will make launching boats difficult at some ramps until they can be cleaned up.

NORTH COAST LAKES:

Approximately 175 surplus summer steelhead have been released in Town Lake and 87 in Cape Meares Lake this winter. Angling has been fair for the few who are fishing for these fish.

Forest roads leading to several local lakes may be damaged or blocked. Anglers should check with the appropriate land manager about road conditions prior to heading out.

MID COAST LAKES:

Wild coho salmon fishing is now closed in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes. The season ended Dec. 31.

The rainbow trout stocking season will begin this month and extend into June. Here is a list of lakes to be stock in January with approximate stocking dates and number of fish to be released.

Jan. 15: Alder and Dune Lakes near Florence with 500 trout each (3 fish per pound).

Jan. 16: Cleawox Lake (2000 trout) and Munsel Lake (1000 trout) near Florence at 3 fish per pound.

Jan. 23: Big Creek Reservoirs 1 and 2 with 1000 and 2000 trout and Olalla Reservoir with 2000 trout, at 3 fish per pound.

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead

Consistent high water has made fishing a little difficult but anglers are still catching steelhead throughout the river either by drift boat or by bank fishing. Fishing near the Alsea Hatchery has started to pick up, but good from the town of Alsea on down. During high murky flows anglers should concentrate in the upper basin as fish move upstream and river conditions improve faster. Both drift boat fishing and bank angling is productive using a variety of baits, jigs and other lures.

BIG CREEK: steelhead

Angling for winter steelhead has been fair to good depending on water conditions.

GNAT CREEK: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. Look for fish to be spread out through the lower river below Hwy 30.

KILCHIS RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling has been mostly fair depending on water conditions. Fish are spread out up to at least Kilchis Park.

NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling has been fair, with the occasional good bite reported. Fish should be distributed throughout the river now. Boaters should use extreme caution. Log and debris jams may be present in one or more locations. The Kloochy Cr. Park bridge is closed to vehicle access.

NEHALEM RIVER:

The Nehalem River Road is closed at the Salmonberry River. Flood waters blew out the bridge over the Salmonberry. Use alternate routes.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead

Angling for winter steelhead is fair, with some short periods of good fishing when the river drops between storms. Best angling is below the hatchery, but a few fish are being caught upstream as well. Boaters beware-downed trees or other hazards are creating problems. Anglers may call (503) 368-5670 for recorded fishing information.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair in Three Rivers. The mainstem has been high and off color, but is slowly dropping into shape at this time. Good numbers of hatchery fish began to arrive in late December. Hatchery fish are available in Three Rivers and the mainstem up to Blaine.

SALMON RIVER: winter steelhead

Wild winter steelhead are starting to return in small numbers-better numbers are expected to start showing in January. Catch-and-release fishing can be good using lures, jigs and egg-type flies. River conditions should improve by the end of the week.

SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead are being caught throughout the river. Drift boat angling has been the most productive so far fishing from Logsden down to Morgan Park. However, bank fishing around Moonshine Park and the lower gorge is starting to pick up. Floating and/or back bouncing fresh baits, jigs and lures can be very productive. During high murky river conditions, anglers should concentrate in the upper basin as fish will continue to move upstream and conditions improve faster.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead has begun but at a slow to fair start so far. Consistent high flows recently has made fishing difficult but has moved some fish up river. Anglers should concentrate efforts following a drop in river levels and in the upper basin as conditions improve faster. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on as more water can be covered. Drifting or back bouncing fresh bait, jigs or other lures can be very productive.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon

Angling for sturgeon should be good. Fish the channel edges on the outgoing tides for the best results.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead

A log jam is blocking the river at the railroad bridge. Do not attempt to float downstream of Lorens Drift. Winter steelhead angling is fair when river conditions allow. Fish higher in the system for best results.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead

The river continues to be muddy and is not clearing at this time. Check river conditions before heading out. Winter steelhead will be available when river conditions improve. Plunking large, visible lures along travel seams could produce a few fish. The river upstream from the North Fork is clearer and a few winter steelhead are being caught.

YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead

A few winter steelhead are starting to show with more fish anticipated as the season progresses. The best option is to fish Big Elk Creek starting just above tide water all the way to the fishing deadline. Bank fishing work the best along the Big Elk using a variety of lures, jigs and egg-type flies.