04-17-2004, 03:22 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
April 16th – April 22nd, 2004
The Columbia is heating up with the gorge fishery leading the way to modified seasons. Anglers will see the first step in a series of possible closures happen at the close of day on 4/21. The I-5 to Bonneville fishery will close starting 4/22 through 4/24 but could remain closed for the remainder of the season depending on this weeks catch. Backbouncers are scoring good results with anchor anglers using spinners and plugs a near second. The fishery below the I-5 Bridge continues to be hit or miss with the right “lane” making all the difference. Plugs are the best option with bait wraps of course but trolled herring are taking a few fish during the time of tide when the plugs won't wiggle on anchor. The sturgeon fishing is picking up in the gorge but not many people are willing to sacrifice good spring chinook fishing to pursue the “diamond sides”. Smelt is the bait of choice in the gorge and St. Helens area where water temperatures are finally starting to have some influence on some good action in the upper stretches.
Willamette River springers proved a bit challenging over the weekend although chinook are being taken daily from most popular locations. The rain this week will improve conditions. Salmon are streaming over the Falls at an estimated 1,000-per-day rate now which creates additional opportunities for mid-river, Santiam and Middle-Fork Willamette anglers.
The Clackamas and Sandy conditions will see a short-term improvement from the recent precipitation with fresh springers and summer steelhead being drawn upstream with the freshet.
Coastal streams will benefit from the rain and it is hoped that this freshet will jump-start a spring chinook run which is overdue on the Rogue River.
Largemouth bass are active in valley lakes and ponds while smallmouth are taking lures in the Willamette River. Walleye catches are good in The Dalles Pool.
The state-wide opening of trout season, while effecting far fewer bodies of water than in years past is cause for the planting of many year-'round lakes and ponds as well, including Battle Lake, Bay City Reservoir, Cape Mears Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Devil's Lake, Hebo Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Lytle Lake, Smith Lake, South Lake, Spring Lake, Tahoe Lake, Town Lake, Waohink Lake, Dorena Reservoir, E E Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake and Henry Hagg Lake.
More on the site:
[url "http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/"]http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/[/url]
The Guide's Forecast
Helping you catch more fish!
April 16th – April 22nd, 2004
The Columbia is heating up with the gorge fishery leading the way to modified seasons. Anglers will see the first step in a series of possible closures happen at the close of day on 4/21. The I-5 to Bonneville fishery will close starting 4/22 through 4/24 but could remain closed for the remainder of the season depending on this weeks catch. Backbouncers are scoring good results with anchor anglers using spinners and plugs a near second. The fishery below the I-5 Bridge continues to be hit or miss with the right “lane” making all the difference. Plugs are the best option with bait wraps of course but trolled herring are taking a few fish during the time of tide when the plugs won't wiggle on anchor. The sturgeon fishing is picking up in the gorge but not many people are willing to sacrifice good spring chinook fishing to pursue the “diamond sides”. Smelt is the bait of choice in the gorge and St. Helens area where water temperatures are finally starting to have some influence on some good action in the upper stretches.
Willamette River springers proved a bit challenging over the weekend although chinook are being taken daily from most popular locations. The rain this week will improve conditions. Salmon are streaming over the Falls at an estimated 1,000-per-day rate now which creates additional opportunities for mid-river, Santiam and Middle-Fork Willamette anglers.
The Clackamas and Sandy conditions will see a short-term improvement from the recent precipitation with fresh springers and summer steelhead being drawn upstream with the freshet.
Coastal streams will benefit from the rain and it is hoped that this freshet will jump-start a spring chinook run which is overdue on the Rogue River.
Largemouth bass are active in valley lakes and ponds while smallmouth are taking lures in the Willamette River. Walleye catches are good in The Dalles Pool.
The state-wide opening of trout season, while effecting far fewer bodies of water than in years past is cause for the planting of many year-'round lakes and ponds as well, including Battle Lake, Bay City Reservoir, Cape Mears Lake, Carter Lake, Cleawox Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Cullaby Lake, Devil's Lake, Hebo Lake, Lost Lake (Clatsop County), Lytle Lake, Smith Lake, South Lake, Spring Lake, Tahoe Lake, Town Lake, Waohink Lake, Dorena Reservoir, E E Wilson Pond, Foster Reservoir, Freeway Lake East, Green Peter Reservoir, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake and Henry Hagg Lake.
More on the site:
[url "http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/"]http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/[/url]
The Guide's Forecast
Helping you catch more fish!