FISHING

NORTH COAST LAKES

Coffenbury, Lost, Sunset, Smith, Spring, Cape Meares, and Lytle lakes, and Vernonia Pond were stocked with legal size rainbow trout last week.

Cape Meares, Smith, Spring, Lytle, Tahoe, Town, Hebo, Coffenbury, Cullaby, Lost, and Sunset lakes, and Vernonia Pond are scheduled to be stocked with legal-size rainbow trout (3 fish per pound) the week of March 17. North and South lakes are also scheduled to be stocked, but this may be delayed due to snow.

The fishing dock at Lake Lytle was heavily damaged by this winter’s storms. The dock is currently unusable, and much of it has broken off. It will likely be quite a while before the dock is repaired or replaced.

MID COAST LAKES

The rainbow trout stocking season is underway and will extend into June. Here is a list of lakes to be stocked in March with approximate stocking dates, number of fish and target size to be released. Please note that stocking dates are approximate and subject to change.

Elbow Lake, 3-18-08, 600 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Alder Lake, 3-19-08, 36 trout at 0.5 per pound and 100 at 1.5 per pound and 850 at 3.0 per pound.

Buck Lake, 3-19-08, 36 trout at 0.5 per pound and 100 at 1.5 per pound and 850 at 3.0 per pound.

Dune Lake, 3-19-08, 36 trout at 0.5 per pound and 100 at 1.5 per pound and 850 at 3.0 per pound.

Eckman Lake, 3-19-08, 2000 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Georgia and North Georgia Lakes, 3-19-08, 35 trout at 0.5 per pound and 150 at 3.0 per pound.

Olalla Reservoir, 3-19-08, 200 trout at 0.5 per pound and 1250 at 1.5 per pound and 2000 at 3.0 per pound.

Perkins Lake, 3-19-08, 36 trout at 0.5 per pound and 450 at 3.0 per pound.

Siltcoos Lagoon, 3-19-08, 36 trout at 0.5 per pound and 100 at 1.5 per pound and 850 at 3.0 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 1, 3-20-08, 1000 trout at 3 per pound and 100 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 2, 3-20-08, 200 trout at 0.5 per pound and 1800 trout at 3 per pound and 1800 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Carter Lake, 3-20-08, 2500 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Cleawox Lake, 3-20-08, 150 trout at 0.5 per pound and 3000 at 3.0 per pound.

Lost Lake, 3-20-08, 750 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Mercer Lake, 3-20-08, 2250 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Munsel Lake, 3-20-08, 150 trout at 0.5 per pound and 1500 at 1.5 per pound.

Siltcoos Lake, 3-21-08, 1000 trout at 1.5 per pound

Thissel Pond, 3-21-08, 40 trout at 0.5 per pound and 1000 at 3.0 per pound.

Woahink Lake, 3-21-08, 1000 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Devils Lake, 3-24-08, 6500 trout at 3.0 per pound.

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead

Fishing has slowed throughout the basin but should pick up for the week because of recent rain events. Hatchery fish are still available in the North Fork but most are colored up. More wild fish are starting to return and anglers are advised to keep the fish in the water while releasing. River conditions are expected to be good for the week.

Current river levels

KILCHIS RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling should improve as recent rains draw more fish into the river. Most of the fish in the river are of wild origin. A log jam is blocking the river below the park.

NEHALEM RIVER AND SALMONBERRY RIVER:

Winter steelhead angling is fair. The rivers were off color after recent storms. The Salmonberry should come back into shape quicker than the mainstem. The number of wild fish entering the system is increasing.

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

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling has been slow to fair in Three Rivers depending on water conditions. Angling in the mainstem has also been slow to fair. Angling should improve as more fish enter the system with recent high waters. The catch has been a mixture of hatchery and wild fish. A couple of early summer steelhead have been caught.

SALMON RIVER: winter steelhead

Catch-and-release fishing for wild winter steelhead fishing is slow and ends at the end of March.

SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing has picked up with recent rain events and should continue to be fair to good for the week. More wild fish are returning and anglers are advised to leave the fish in the water while releasing. Drift boat angling should be fair as river conditions allow and bank fishing around Moonshine Park up to the fishing deadline should be good as many fish have moved up. Floating and/or back bouncing fresh baits, jigs and lures can be very productive.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing has picked back up and should be good for the week because of recent rain events. Drifting and bank fishing from Whittaker Creek down to Linslaw Park should continue to be a productive area. More wild steelhead are starting to return and anglers are reminded to keep the fish in the water while releasing.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon

Angling for sturgeon has been fair to good. Fish the channel edges on the outgoing tides for the best results.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead

Angling for winter steelhead has been fair to good. The river has been quick to muddy up after rain events, but is recovering quicker. All methods should produce fish, with side drifting from boats or bobber and jigs being very popular. Drift fishing from bank or boat will also produce fish. The tree partially blocking the river above Mills Bridge moved during recent high water.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair. Fish are being caught up to the forks and in the north and south forks. Wild fish are making up the bulk of the catch, but some hatchery fish are also caught occasionally. Fishing should improve when the river drops into shape after recent stroms.

Current river levels for major north coast streams

YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing is slow. There is a mixture of public and private lands along this stretch, anglers should use caution to avoid crossing private property.