Fish Report for 5-5-2021

New Regulations Implemented This Year

5-5-2021
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Some access sites on the North Santiam above and below Detroit Reservoir were impacted by last fall’s wildfire. Some of the more popular sites such as Packsaddle Park and Fishermen’s Bend are still closed until crews can remove hazard trees. Anglers can still access the river from Stayton downstream and in a few places above such as the Mehama bridge.  

No recent fishing reports. River levels best for fishing are at or below 3,000 cfs, and the river is currently running at 2,000 cfs at the gage in Mehama. Water clarity is good.  

Anglers should be aware of a new regulation implemented this year. The use of bait is now only allowed April 22 through Oct. 31 from the mouth of the Santiam River up to Minto dam. Outside of those dates, anglers may use only artificial flies and lures. This regulation is in place to protect ESA-listed winter steelhead. Now that we are in May, anglers may use bait again. 

Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round. A few hundred early summer steelhead have arrived in the upper Willamette and will be making their way into tributaries, including the North Santiam, over the next few weeks. A handful have already reached the Stayton area.

Spring Chinook numbers at Willamette Falls have recently surged, indicating the beginning of the main run. It will take about two weeks or so before these fish enter the Santiam. A few fish have reached the Stayton area but the bulk of the run is still downstream. Forecasts are for a run year about the same as last year or perhaps a bit higher.

Anglers should be aware that trout harvest is now closed and will not re-open until May 22. 



< Previous Report Next Report >





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 5th, 2021
$10,000 reward for information on three elk poached near Bend
Ana Reservoir: Will Be Stocked This Week
Ana River: The River is Spring Fed and Can Be Fished Year-Round
Campbell Reservoir: Snow Drifts Impacting Access
Chewaucan River: Access is Available to the Chewaucan Upstream of Paisley
Cottonwood Reservoir: Large Drifts of Snow Impacting Access
Duncan Reservoir: Low Reservoir and Will Not Get Stocked This Year
Upper Klamath Lake: Open All Year
Lake Of The Woods: Excellent Fishing
Sky Lakes Wilderness Lakes: All Lakes are Mostly Inaccessible Due to Snow
North Fork Sprague River: Open Year Round But Access Might be Difficult Due to Snow in Upper River
Sun Creek: Fishing is Not Recommended at This Time
Sycan River: Open All Year
Thompson Valley Reservoir: Reservoir was Stocked the Week of April 9
Willow Valley Reservoir: Largemouth Bass Fishing Can be Good in May
Ben Irving Reservoir: Reservoir was Stocked at the Beginning of March
Diamond Lake: Time To Go Fishing!
Galesville Reservoir: Lots of Trout Available!
Hemlock Lake: Fishing Should Be good
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Recently Received 5,000 Rainbow Trout
Hyatt Lake: Recently Stocked With 5,000 Legal Rainbow Trout
Medco Pond: Received 2,000 Leagal Rainbow Trout Two Weeks Ago
Rogue River- Lower: Fishing Pressure has Increased
Rogue River - Middle: Trout Fishing on the Rogue is Closed and Reopens on May 22
Rogue River- Upper: The Hatchery Hole is Closed to All Fishing Through July 31
Umpqua River: Access May be Limited Due to Last Summer's Wildfires
Alsea River: Trout Fishing in Streams Will Open on May 22
Nestucca River: Spring Chinook Fishing is Slow
Siltcoos Lake: Spring Spawn Coming Soon
Siletz River: Remains Open Year Round for Steelhead Fishing
Tillamook Bay: Spring Chinook Fishing is Slow
Trask River: Still a Little Slow
Wilson River: Summer Steelhead Should Start Showing Up
Detroit Reservoir: Lake Was Stocked With 2,100 One-Pound Trout Last Week
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Trout Will Be Stocked Again This Week
Junction City Pond: Pond Will be Stocked This Week With 2,500 Hatchery Trout
Quartzville Creek: First Stock of The Year This Week
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Highway Along the Upper North Santiam Has Re-Opened
Walling Pond: About 1,500 Trout Will Be Restocked This Week
Umatilla River: Spring Chinook Fishery Will Not Be Open This Year
Willow Lake: Anglers are starting to catch fish in Willow Creek

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, April 29th, 2021

Willamette River: Two rods allowed in upper Willamette starting May 1
ODFW Recreation Report