Weekend fishing opportunities:
*
Winter steelhead are now widely distributed through the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers, where some good catches are being reported. Crossings over Willamette Falls into the upper Willamette and its tributaries have been increasing and means improved prospects for anglers in these areas.
* The trout stocking program for 2011 is now underway, with the first batches of fish going to Huddleston Pond, Junction City Pond, Walling Pond and Walter Wirth Lake, which were all stocked the week of Jan. 10.
ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: trout
Rainbow trout releases are scheduled to begin in February. This water body is located in downtown Eugene behind Autzen Stadium. A 4-acre pond at the midpoint of the canal is a good spot but it can be fished all along its 2-mile length from Day Island Road in Eugene to Aspen Street in Springfield. Summer steelhead are occasionally caught in this system and anglers are reminded they will need a combined angling tag to legally harvest a steelhead. It is legal to fish with two rods in the Alton Baker Canoe Canal, provided the appropriate licenses have been purchased.
CANBY POND - trout
This 1-acre pond is located on the south end of Canby in Canby City Park. Park is on the east side of Hwy 99E. Angling restricted to youth age 17 and under or holders of one of the Disabled Anglers permits.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: winter steelhead
The Clackamas has held in excellent shape for several days now; color is good and miles of open bank are available for the adventurous. Some light to moderate rainfall in the forecast could set the river up for great conditions through the next several days.
Winter steelhead have now spread throughout the river and good catches were reported over the weekend. Concentrate on the reaches from Carver to Riverside or Riverside to Clackamette parks this time of year as early fish will tend to hold down low prior to moving above Carver where new acclimation ponds should help fish hold in the middle reaches of the lower river in coming years. That being said, the Barton to Carver run has also been fairly productive in recent days.
Monday hydrological data shows the river dropping at 2,120 cfs, a gauge reading of 12.15 ft. and the water temperature inching up to 39°.
CLEAR LAKE: trout
Clear Lake is accessed from Highway 126 approximately 70 miles east of Springfield. Fishing is open all year although snow limits access during the winter months. Brook trout are the most abundant fish during the winter and there is no limit on the size or number of brook trout taken. Clear Lake Resort is open all winter and does have a couple of row boats for rent for those hardy souls that want a unique winter fishing experience.
DETROIT RESERVOIR: trout, kokanee
Located 50 miles east of Salem, this large lake (approx. 3,000 acres at full pool) received over 100,000 trout throughout the spring and summer stocking season. It received another 7,000 legal sized rainbow trout in mid-October. The water level is at its lowest point of the year for storage, but the Mongold boat ramp is usable. Angling is fair at the moment, with slow trolling of bait the most productive method. Check with local outfitters in the town of Detroit to find out more.
DEXTER RESERVOIR: trout
Last stocked with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout at the end of September. Dexter Reservoir is adjacent to Highway 58 near Lowell. Anglers will continue to catch fish through the winter by fishing off of the causeway near the Lowell Covered Bridge.
EAGLE CREEK: steelhead
The cold, dry weather has left the creek very low and clear, making steelhead angling a bit more challenging. Some rainfall this week could leave the creek offering very good conditions once flows increase and it colors up a bit. So far this winter the steelhead catch has been slow at best, although the angler effort is out there. Hatchery returns remain low as decent numbers of winters haven’t seemed to make their way into the upper creek yet. Historical numbers show that it’s not uncommon for the steelhead to show up later in January on upper Eagle Creek. Corkies and yarn or bobber and jig are popular set-ups for creek anglers. Anglers should adjust their gear colors to the water clarity.
FARADAY LAKE: trout
Stocked in early September with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 25-acre lake 2 miles SE of Estacada by way of Hwy 224 on the Clackamas River.
FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead
This 9,000 acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basins largest waterbody. It has four boat ramps and there is good bank angling along the dam and at the shoreline parks. This lake is mostly shallow with a band of deep water from the original channel of the Long Tom River. The reservoir produces crappie over 12 inches and bass angling has been very good this year. Best time of year for crappie is in late spring, but bigger fish can still be found in deeper water. July and August are peak months for largemouth bass. Fish the shoreline along the southern part of the reservoir, especially the sloughs and inlets where there is underwater structure.
FOSTER RESERVOIR: trout, bass, perch, catfish
This scenic 1,200 acre reservoir on the South Santiam River is located just 30 minutes from Interstate 5. It was stocked with 10,000 legal-sized rainbow trout in late September. There is good bank access at several rest stops and campgrounds, and three boat ramps. From I-5 take US 20 east from Albany to the town of Sweet Home. The reservoir is 3 miles past the town on the left. The road across the top of the dam is currently open.
HUDDLESTON POND – trout
The pond received 350 legal-sized trout the week of Jan. 10. From Hwy 18, take Willamina City Center Exit. Turn left on Main St. Follow Main St. to NE E St. and turn right. Proceed to NE Yamhill St. and turn left. Follow Yamhill St.to pond.
JUNCTION CITY POND: trout, bluegill
This pond is scheduled to receive 350 rainbow trout averaging 14 inches this week. There should still be a few of the seventy trophy class trout which were released two weeks ago. These fish are from brood stock at Roaring River Hatchery and weigh an average of 7 pounds apiece. Casting spinners and plunking with Powerbait can be effective strategies for these fish. Junction City pond is located about 2 miles south of Junction City on 99W on the west side of the highway. There is excellent access around the entire 8-acre pond.
LEABURG LAKE: trout
Last stocked with rainbow trout in mid-August. Leaburg Lake on the McKenzie River is located approximately 18 miles east of Springfield on Highway 126. The lake will be closed to all fishing from Jan. 1, 2011 through April 22, 2011.
MCKENZIE RIVER below Leaburg Lake: trout, steelhead
Steelhead should be available through December below Leaburg Dam. Anglers should take extra precautions not to disturb or walk on spring chinook spawn beds (redds).
MCKENZIE RIVER above Leaburg Lake: trout
This section of the river will be closed to all fishing from Jan. 1, 2011 through April 22, 2011.
MOLALLA RIVER: steelhead
Flows in the Molalla are presently very good, providing excellent water conditions to get out and try to catch the first winter steelhead that begin to enter this system in early winter. Keep in mind the Molalla is primarily a catch-and-release steelhead fishery, although occasionally fin-clipped hatchery fish enter the river and can be retained if caught. Generally, it’s still a little early for steelhead in the tributaries of the Willamette above Willamette Falls, but decent early returns below the falls, in the Clackamas and in the Columbia, suggest good returns may be in the offing upriver as well.
Keep an eye on Willamette Falls fish counts to determine when fishing may be turning on above the falls. We currently have over 1,100 winter steelhead over the falls to date, meaning a few are available in tributaries at this time. Larger numbers of fish are expected to start moving after the first of the year once the flows settle down.
MT. HOOD POND: trout, panfish
Stocked Oct. 22 with 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. The pond is located on the Mt. Hood Community College Campus, 2600 SE Stark Street MAP
NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, trout
There are still a good number of summer steelhead in both the North and South Santiam. Based on video monitoring at upper Bennett dam, about 2,800+ summer steelhead are estimated to have made it into the upper stretches of the river. This year’s winter steelhead run looks promising as well with more than 1,144 fish passing above Willamette Falls as of Jan.3. Bobber and jigs are the preferred method for catching these fish. The river level varies depending on precipitation and upstream storage needs. It has come down to more fishable levels and conditions are good for both bank and boat anglers.
River levels best for fishing are below 3,000 cfs at the Mehama gauge. Check for current conditions
The section between Shelburn and Green’s Bridge remains hazardous for boaters because of downed trees and multiple side channels. Better bets are the floats below Green’s Bridge and above Stayton.
PUDDING RIVER SYSTEM: trout
For those who enjoy trout fishing in a small stream setting, there are several opportunities available in the Pudding River area. Creeks such as Abiqua, Butte, Drift, and Silver all have resident trout present, mainly cutthroat. The season runs from April 24 –October 31, 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length, artificial flies and lures only, as per Zone Regulations.
SANDY RIVER: winter steelhead
Their have been improved catches of winters over the past few days on the Sandy, although the river is cold, low and clear. The steelhead appear to be dispersed throughout the river from Marmot down to Lewis and Clark Park. More hatchery broodstock fish will be showing in the catch now that it’s the middle of January, with a few wild fish also mixed in. Sandy winter steelhead are typically a later returning fish as a result of the recently implemented broodstock release program, although the catch information indicates a few fish are coming back earlier. This could be a good sign for what’s to come in the Sandy steelhead fishery for the next few weeks.
Monday hydrological data shows flows down to 1,750 cfs, a gauge height of 9.43 ft and the water temperature steady at 37°.
SHERIDAN POND: trout
A total of 50 brood trout ranging in size from 8 to 15 pounds were released in early December and may still be available. These fish were produced by ODFW’s Roaring River Hatchery near Scio and will be a real prize for anyone lucky enough to land one. To get to Sheridan Pond from Hwy 18, take exit 33 to Balston Rd turn right and then a left to the pond.
steelhead
Rick Putnam of Woodburn, assisted by his sister Beverly Bennett, lands a large rainbow trout at St. Louis Ponds near Gervais. The large fish was part of a load of 6-8-pound brood trout released into the pond by ODFW.
- Photo by Rick Swart-
ST. LOUIS PONDS: trout, panfish, catfish
Pond #6 will be stocked this week with 45 brood trout weighing between six and eight pounds apiece. Ponds #3 and #6 were stocked in mid-November with 700 two-pound rainbow trout. The gate to the entrance of the fishing park is now closed, although those who want can walk in to fish. In addition to the trout, the ponds contain resident bass, crappie, perch and catfish. St. Louis Ponds is a 240-acre fishing park comprised of seven ponds. The property is owned and managed by ODFW, and in addition to stocked trout contains several species of warmwater fish. The site is located west of the town of Gervais. Take St. Louis Road west to Tesch Lane, turn left and follow the road to the ponds.
Grant McOmie talks winter fishing, including trout at St. Louis Ponds, in this installment of Grant’s Getaways.
TIMBER LINN LAKE: trout
Seventy trophy class trout were released last week. These fish are from brood stock at Roaring River Hatchery near Scio and weigh an average of 7 pounds apiece. Casting spinners and plunking with Powerbait can be effective strategies for these fish. This 11-acre pond within Timber-Linn Memorial Park is located next to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, and is a great place to take kids fishing. It was recently stocked with 550 legal-sized rainbow trout as well. To get there, take either Albany exit on I-5 heading east and follow the signs to the park.
WALLING POND: trout, bass
The pond is located within the Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission Street. It was stocked several times this fall and winter with legal and larger size trout. It is scheduled to receive another 400 legal and 50 larger size rainbow trout this week.
WALTER WIRTH LAKE: trout, crappie, bass
This water body has already received several thousand legal and larger sized trout this fall and winter. It is scheduled to receive another 1,700 legal an 150 larger size rainbow trout this week. This wheelchair accessible lake is located just east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Rd. or Turner Rd. to reach the lake.
WAVERLY LAKE: trout, panfish, catfish
This 8-acre pond in downtown Albany was stocked several weeks ago with 500 legal and 25 larger size rainbow trout, as well as approximately one hundred 8-12 pound trophy rainbow trout. From I-5 take exit 234 west towards Albany. Pond is a quarter mile on the right.
WEST SALISH POND – panfish, trout
Will be stocked this week with 40 three-year-old brood trout weighing 6-8 pounds each. West Salish is a 70-acre pond located in Salish Ponds Wetlands Park, on NE Glisan between 201st and 207th. From I-84 take 207th Ave. Exit and head south to Glisan and turn right.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: winter steelhead
Coho passage over Willamette Falls was non-existent over the past week, but that’s not uncommon for January; a couple did sneak by in late December. As of Jan. 3 total crossings showed 20,103 coho adults and 1,988 coho jacks.
The winter steelhead passage at Willamette Falls reached a total of 1,151 on Jan. 6, but passage should pick up as conditions on the river have shown great improvement in recent days. The dropping water levels and increased visibility will offer decent fishing prospects along Meldrum Bar and Dahl Park near the mouth of the Clackamas River. If you’re interested in this fishery, drop down to Meldrum, observe the techniques, and find yourself a spot. It can get crowded so be respectful of your fellow anglers.
Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Jan. 10 show flows falling back to 22,000 cfs, visibility improved to 2.3 ft. and the water temperature up slightly to 41°.
YAMHILL RIVER (South Fork): trout
Closed to fishing Oct. 31.
