Fish Report for 5-24-2023

Fish, clam and crab for free during Free Fishing Weekend June 3-4

5-24-2023
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

SALEM, Ore.— Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of June.

No fishing/shellfish licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required on those two days (June 3-4, 2023). Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free. Oregon State Parks also offers free parking and camping on Saturday, June 3.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for rules. Remember to check for any in season regulation changes at the Recreation Report especially for salmon and steelhead fishing. Click on the zone where you want to fish and then click the "Regulation Updates" tab to see the in-season changes.

The Recreation Report is updated weekly and features the best bests for fishing for the upcoming week.

Expect lots of extra rainbow trout to be stocked in Oregon's lakes for the weekend; more fish are stocked during the next two weeks (for Memorial Day and June Free Fishing Weekend) than at any other time of year. This video series How to fish for trout in Oregon breaks down everything you need to know to fish for trout any time of year and see the trout stocking schedule for more information.

It's also a great weekend to try clamming or clamming. This year, June free fishing days coincide with a minus tide (with low tides on the coast getting below the average low water mark by one or even two feet) creating ideal conditions for clamming. MyODFW.com has all the information you need to get started clamming or crabbing including maps of locations and how-tos.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat.  As of today, razor clamming is open from Tillamook Head (just south of Seaside) north to the Washington border but closed south of Tillamook head to the California border due to elevated levels of domoic acid. Crabbing is open coastwide.

Closures can happen quickly and may change before Free Fishing Weekend. Remember to call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check their Shellfish page before you go.

ODFW staff and a number of fishing organizations will host events throughout the state on Free Fishing Weekend, bringing all the gear beginners need to get started. Staff and volunteers will hand out fishing equipment and be available to teach how to bait, cast, land and clean your catch.

Events are being held at following events and times, see the Family Fishing Events page for more information. 

Saturday, June 3

  • Alsea, Oregon Hatchery Research Center, 7 a.m-2 p.m.
  • Camp Sherman, Wizard Falls Hatchery, 9 a.m.-noon (for age 10 and younger)
  • Enterprise, Marr Pond, 8 a.m.-noon
  • Estacada, Small Fry Lake, Promontory Park, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (for age 17 and younger)
  • Eugene, Alton Baker Park, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Gaston, Henry Hagg Lake, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Silverton at Silverton Reservoir, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Sutherlin, Cooper Creek Reservoir, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Toledo, Olalla Reservoir, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Ukiah, Twin Ponds, 9 a.m.-noon. Note trophy trout will not be stocked for this event due to disease concerns with these trout; other legal-size trout will be stocked.

Sunday, June 4

  • Lake Marie, Reedsport, Noon- 5 p.m.


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More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

Umatilla River: Rains and increased temperatures have significantly increased flows
Walla Walla River: Trout fishing on the Walla Walla, and its tributaries, opened May 22
Crane Prairie Reservoir: 88 percent full
Crescent Lake: Crescent Lake is currently 16 percent full
Davis Lake: Davis Lake water level remains low, making launching boats difficult
East Lake: Access to boat ramps at East Lake is limited by snow
Haystack Reservoir: The reservoir is currently 88 percent full
Hood River: Winter steelhead are still in the Hood River, but fishing has started to slow down
Metolius River: The Metolius River continues to fish well
North Twin Lake: Anglers report good fishing for holdover and stocked trout
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is 72 percent full
Paulina Lake: The Paulina Lake Road is now open
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 100 percent full
South Twin Lake: Anglers report good fishing for holdover and stocked trout
Wickiup Reservoir: Anglers report good kokanee and bass fishing
Breitenbush River: The river is flowing a bit high due to snow melt
Foster Reservoir: The reservoir will be stocked this week with about 3,800 trout
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Flows are currently around 1,700 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 2,500 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Kilchis River: There is plenty of fishing access on the Kilchis River
Necanicum River: Trout season reopened May 22
Siletz River: Likely the final push of winter steelhead are moving through the Siletz basin
Trask River: Fishing has picked up this week with fish being caught daily
Wilson River: Trout season re-opened May 22nd
Chetco River: Trout fishing opened this week
Elk River: Cutthroat trout should be spread throughout the river
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 74 percent full
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is at 57 percent full
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is at 50 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is 57 percent full
Illinois River: The Illinois is open again for trout fishing
Rogue River- Lower: Water conditions continue to be excellent for late season spring Chinook fishing
Rogue River - Middle: Current flow is around 4,400 cfs
Rogue River- Upper: The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 3,800 cfs and 49F
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Trout releases will start again this week in time for Memorial Day weekend
Sixes River: Cuthroat are scattered throughout the river
Winchuck River: Cutthroat trout are scattered throughout the river
Ana Reservoir: People have been doing extremely well trolling and using bait on the bank
Gerber Reservoir: Targeting yellow perch continues to be your best bet
Lake Of The Woods: Fishing should be excellent this week for hatchery rainbow trout


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