Fish Report for 5-19-2022

ODFW Recreation Report

5-19-2022
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

May 22 trout opener

This Sunday, most western Oregon rivers and stream open to trout fishing. Spring is a great time to fish for native cutthroat and rainbow trout while the water (and weather) are cool.

Chinook on lower Columbia open through Sunday

The spring Chinook season on the lower Columbia will continue through Sunday, May 22. And after a brief pause, it will reopen June 4-16.

Clammers: Low tides continue 

With negative tides continuing and sunshine in the forecast, this would be a great weekend to go clamming. So grab your shovels, check out our where-to-clam pages and be prepared to get muddy!

Best bets for weekend fishing

There’s a lot going on in the water this time of year. Here are just a few highlights, be sure to check out the zone reports for even more ideas.

  • For early spring Chinook on the North Coast, check out Nestucca Bay, Tillamook Bay, Trask and the Lower Columbia tributaries (Big Creek, Gnat Creek, and Klaskanine River). Some already are moving into tidewater.
  • Anglers are still catching decent numbers of rockfish around the jetties in the lower Coos Bay estuary.
  • Surfperch anglers are reporting good catches of redtail surfperch, with some fish weighing over 2 pounds, on sandy beaches like Horsefall Beach, Bullards Beach, and near Cape Blanco.
  • Bass fishing on the South Umpqua opens May 22. These fish haven’t seen a lure in a while and might be very interested in what you’re casting.
  • Chinook season is open on the Hood River, which is seeing the best Chinook return in years.
  • Shad fishing is happening in the mainstem Umpqua and Smith rivers.
  • With over 2,600 springers over Willamette Falls, anglers have been catching a few in the Middle Fork Willamette River.
  • Anglers report good bass fishing on Green Peter Reservoir, with some fish up to 5 pounds.
  • Gerber Reservoir is a good bet for yellow perch – a fish fry favorite. 
  • Trout fishing at Cottonwood Meadow Lake was fantastic last weekend. This time of year, 40 to 50 fish days are not uncommon. 

Have you bagged your spring turkey and/or black bear?

If not, you’ve got until May 31 to fill your tag.



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More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, May 19th, 2022

Chewaucan River: People have already caught some really nice trout in the river with lures
Fourmile Lake: The road into Fourmile Lake is still closed by the USFS
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is 16 percent full
Heart Lake: Fishing has been good for fish in the 6-8” range
Holbrook Reservoir: Trolling for rainbows is very productive as is bait fishing
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake remains 2.5 feet below full pool and 61 percent full
Lake Of The Woods: Lake of the Woods has been stocked heavily with trophy rainbows
Lofton Reservoir: This reservoir will be stocked this week
Miller Lake: The recent snow might block access
Sprague River: Fishing will improve for redband trout as water temperatures increase
North Fork Sprague River: Flows have decreased to 147 cfs
South Fork Sprague River: Snow will limit access to some areas
Sun Creek: The Sun Pass State Road is closed. Fishing not recommended at this time.
Williamson River: Upper Williamson River Report
Wood River: Water temperatures remain very cold
Umatilla River: The spring Chinook season opened on April 15
Wallowa Lake : There are some nice kokanee available this year
Tillamook Bay: Spring Chinook are in Tillamook Bay
Trask River: There have been fish caught at the hatchery hole and Loren’s drift
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Will be stocked again this week
Dexter Reservoir: Was last stocked the week of May 2nd
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Will be stocked this week
Fall Creek: Was last stocked the week of May 9
Foster Reservoir: The water level in the reservoir is currently low
Green Peter Reservoir: Recent fishing reports are that the bass fishing is good
Junction City Pond: The pond will be stocked this week
McKenzie River: McKenzie River Fishing Report
Middle Fork of the Williamette: The Middle Fork Willamette River is open to bait below Dexter Dam only
Quartzville Creek: Light tackle including flies works best, but bait is allowed
Salmon Creek: Will be stocked again this week
Santiam River (South Fork): Hatchery trout harvest season will reopen on May 22
Timber Linn Lake: It will be stocked this week
Walling Pond: The pond will be stocked this week
Waverly Lake: This lake will be stocked this week
Applegate Reservoir: The reservoir is a remarkable 78 percent capacity
Ben Irving Reservoir: Bass fishing has been picking up with some good water conditions
Coos River: Trout fishing in streams and rivers reopen May 22
Coquille River: The mainstem Coquille and the main forks have been running high and muddy
Diamond Lake: Anglers are catching healthy fish that average about 14 inches
Emigrant Reservoir: Water clarity is surprisingly good for this time of year
Fish Lake : Fish lake is ice free
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Access at Howard Prairie is currently limited to the gravel ramp near the dam
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt has already seen its likely peak water level for the year and is now dropping daily
Lemolo Lake: Lemolo is just a few feet from being full
Rogue River - Middle: There are still reports of a few winter fish being caught
Rogue River- Upper: Trout fishing opens on Sunday, May 22
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): This week will see the first trout stockings
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Fishing Report