Fish Report for 5-24-2024

Fish, clam and crab for free during Free Fishing Weekend June 1-2

5-24-2024
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

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 1-2, 2024). Both Oregon residents and nonresidents can fish for free. Oregon State Parks also offers free parking and camping on Saturday, June 1.

All other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the  Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for regulations. Remember to check MyODFW.comfor any in season regulation changes, especially for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The Recreation Report is updated weekly and features the best bests for fishing for the upcoming week. Expect lots of rainbow trout to be stocked in Oregon's ponds and lakes for the weekend; more trout are stocked during the next two weeks (for Memorial Day and June Free Fishing Weekend) than at any other time of year. Check out the trout stocking schedule for more information and stocking locations.

Crabbing and clamming  
Free Fishing Weekend is also a great weekend to try clamming or crabbing. MyODFW.com has all the information you need to get started clamming or crabbing including maps of locations and how-to's.

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 the Washington border to Cape Blanco but closed south of Cape Blanco 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.

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

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

Saturday, June 1  

  • Clatskanie: Gnat Creek Hatchery, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  
  • 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.-4 p.m.  
  • Hebo: Hebo Lake, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  
  • Junction City: West Kirk Park, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  
  • Lakeside: Tugman State Park (Eel Lake), 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  
  • Portland: Commonwealth Lake Park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.  
  • Toledo: Olalla Reservoir, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  
  • Florence: Cleawox Lake, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.  
  • Tillamook: Trask Hatchery, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (kids under 16 only); 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (or until all fish have been caught) for all ages.  
  • Ukiah: Twin Ponds, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.  

Sunday, June 2  

  • Gaston: Henry Hagg Lake, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.  

Come out on June 1-2 to experience angling and shellfishing in Oregon, and be sure to show us your catch. Submit your photos at MyODFW.com.



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More Reports

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

ODFW Recreation Report
Shellfish biotoxin closes mussel harvesting on central coast

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, May 22nd

Umatilla River: The spring Chinook fishery on the Umatilla River is open currently
Crescent Lake: Recent reports of good fishing for large brown and lake trou
Davis Lake: Anglers report excellent bass fishing along the reeds
East Lake: Lingering snow may limit access to some boat ramps
Haystack Reservoir: Haystack is currently at 68 percent full
Hood River: Hood River Report
Hosmer Lake: Hosmer Lake Report
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is 97 percent full
Paulina Lake: Anglers report productive rainbow trout fishing and excellent kokanee fishing
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is 72 percent full
Blue River: Will be stocked the week of May 20
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked the week of May 27
Detroit Reservoir: Recent rains have filled the reservoir almost to the top
Foster Reservoir: Will be stocked again this week
Gold Lake: Gold Lake fishing officially open for fishing May 22, 2024
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in Green Peter continues to rise
McKenzie River: McKenzie River Report
Willamette River: Fishing for summer steelhead has been productive
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Spring chinook numbers increased dramatically over the last couple of weeks
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: lows are currently around 1,000 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): Summer steelhead are off to a pretty good start this year
Kilchis River: Angling for cutthroat trout should be fair to good throughout the river
Necanicum River: Trout fishing should be fair to good
Nestucca River: Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good
Three Rivers: The Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction went into effect on Three Rivers on May 1
Trask River: Cutthroat trout fishing should be fair to good
Applegate River: The Applegate River opens May 22 for trout fishing
Chetco River: The river reopened to trout fishing on May 22
Ben Irving Reservoir: This should be a good time to fish Ben Irving
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Should be some good trout fishing now
Diamond Lake: Anglers willing to confront the changing weather are catching fish
Elk River: The river reopened to trout fishing on May 22
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 68 percent full
Galesville Reservoir: No direct reports from anglers, but stories that some of the trophy trout have been caught
Illinois River: The Illinois River opens May 22 for trout fishing
Lake Marie: Lake Marie was stocked with rainbow trout last week
Lemolo Lake: he reservoir was stocked last week
Rogue River - Middle: Flow in Grants Pass is about 3,100 cfs
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): The Rogue above Lost Creek is open for fishing
Sixes River: The river reopened to trout fishing on May 22
Smith River: Striped bass fishing should be good in the tidewater areas
Umpqua River: The mainstem water conditions are looking good
North Umpqua River: Steelhead season is winding down quickly
South Umpqua River : The South reopened May 22 for trout and bass fishing
Blitzen River: The Blitzen is flowing at around 430 cubic feet per second
Delintment Lake: Delintment is now accessible
Heart Lake: Fishing recently has been excellent
Holbrook Reservoir: The reservoir will be stocked with 300 trophy rainbow trout this weekend
Owyhee Reservoir: The reservoir is full and it should be a great year on Owyhee Reservoir
Phillips Reservoir: Phillips held a good bit of water over winter and is now almost 3/4 full
Warm Springs Reservoir: The reservoir is now full and spilling