Fish Report for 5-24-2023

Rains and increased temperatures have significantly increased flows

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

Rains and increased temperatures have significantly increased flows on the Umatilla River and fishing conditions are poor for the moment. The predicated flows don’t look to be very fishable for the next week or more unfortunately. The steelhead fishery on the Umatilla closed April 30 and trout fishing does not open until May 22.  

The spring Chinook fishery on the Umatilla River opened on April 16. The bag limit is 2 adult and 5 jack hatchery spring Chinook per day. There are an estimated 5,854 spring Chinook predicted to return to the Umatilla River this year, so the Umatilla River a great opportunity for anglers to harvest a spring Chinook.

Most spring Chinook start entering the Umatilla in May, however with the cold temps and higher run off this year the fish could be delayed from normal run timing. The fishing picked up last week with lower flows and less turbid waters.

Not a lot of fish have been caught yet in the season with an average of 4 fish per day in the past two days, but quite a few anglers have been trying. As of this update, there have been 900 spring Chinook counted at TMFD for the season as of 5/19/23.



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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 24th, 2023
Fish, clam and crab for free during Free Fishing Weekend June 3-4
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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