Fish Report for 12-17-2020

Photo Credit: Courtesy of ODFW

Best bets for winter fishing

12-17-2020
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Trout and steelhead top the list

Oregon anglers relish the fact they can fish year-round. With the official start of winter just a few weeks away, it’s time to “fish out” the fingerless gloves, toe warmers and thermal underwear. It’s also time to share some tips for our favorite winter fishing opportunities:

  • STEELHEAD – This week’s rain should bring more winter steelhead into rivers throughout the NW, SW and Willamette zones. Keep an eye on water levels. Once they begin to drop, be ready to hit the water. 10 tips to catch more winter steelhead
  • TROUT – Look for some limited stocking in some Willamette Valley locations. Oregon also boasts several rivers that serve up fair trout fishing throughout the winter, including the Lower Deschutes, Fall, Metolius, Crooked, Sprague, Chewaucan and Blitzen. 7 tips to catch more trout this winter
  • TROUT ON ICE – Many waterbodies are starting to ice up, and anglers have had luck ice fishing on Kinney Lake and Phillips Reservoir. Anglers are also ice fishing on several ponds in Baker and Union counties. Take these precautions when venturing out on new ice. 14 tips for ice fishing in Oregon

Time to discover snipe hunting

Yes, it’s really a thing

Snipe hunting offers the wing shooter a cross between a waterfowl and upland hunt. They’re found in shallow wetlands, but flush like an upland bird. They also present a formidable shooting challenge. Learn more about snipe hunting in Oregon.

Gifts for hunters and anglers

Ideas for your favorite outdoors person

There are still shopping days before Christmas! It’s not too late to find the perfect gift for the hunter or angler. Here are some ideas for both anglers and hunters.

Report your 2020 hunt

It's not too early

If all that’s left of your 2020 hunt are the memories, there’s still one last thing to do. You need to report your hunt and why wait until the last minute?  You can report online or with an ODFW license agent. ODFW offices remain closed to walk-in traffic.



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More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, December 16th, 2020

Wallowa River: Continues to Be Good For Trout & Whitefish
Fall River: Anglers Should Focus Their Effort During The Warmest Part of The Day
North Twin Lake: Anglers Reporting Fair Fishing
Metolius River: Consistent Fishing Between Allingham Bridge and Bridge 99
South Twin Lake: Anglers Reporting Fair Fishing
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Stocked Again This Week
Clackamas River: Still Early For The Best of The Steelhead Run
Quartzville Creek: Best Conditions For Fishing Are Below 300 cfs.
Sandy River: Best Fishing Will Be As Water Levels Begin to Drop
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: River is Currently Running 3,600 CFS
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Currently Flows Are at 2,800 CFS
Willamette River: Fish Ladder at Willamette Falls has Re-Opened and Salmon are Migrating up Into The River Above
Alsea River: Steelhead Fishing Starting to Pick Up
Kilchis River: Kilchis River Report
Nehalem River: Hatchery Run is Underway
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is Just Getting Started for Winter Steelhead
Siuslaw River: Whitaker Creek Area is the Best Location to Target The Returning Hatchery Fish
Trask River: Some Steelhead Around As It Starts to Drop
Wilson River: Wilson River Fishing Report
Coos River: The Lower Coos Bay estuary has been a little rough from the recent ocean swell
Emigrant Reservoir: Water Levels Are Starting to Rise
Fish Lake : Lake is Steadily Rising
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Expect Snow this Weekend
Hyatt Lake: Packed Snow and Slick Road Conditions
Illinois River: A Few Early Run Winter Steelhead Shoudl Be Starting to Show Up
Lake Selmac: Trout Should Still Be Available
Rogue River - Middle: Flows at Grants Pass was approximately 1,580 cfs and Dropping
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Smith River: Smith Should Be on The Rise This Week
Tenmile Lakes: Tenmile Lakes Fishing Report
Willow Lake: Lake is Currently at 58%
Campbell Reservoir: Reservoir is Likely Frozen
Fourmile Lake: Inaccessible due to snow unless you have a snowmobile or snow machine
Gerber Reservoir: Likely Frozen but Might Not be Safe for Ice Fishing
John C Boyle Reservoir: Water temperature is approaching freezing and there is likely some ice
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Upper Klamath River Report
Lake Of The Woods: Lake of the Woods Partially Frozen
Miller Lake: Likely Inaccessible
South Fork Sprague River: Snow Will Limit Access to Some Areas
Willow Valley Reservoir: Reservoir is Likely Frozen


12-11-2020
SALEM, Ore.—The Commission adopted a general marine bag limit of 6 fish for recreational anglers for the 2021 season in...... Read More