06-26-2004, 04:06 PM
Oregon Fisheries Update
June 25th – July 1st, 2004
With another modified sturgeon season in our midst, anglers will want to take full advantage of technical report #3- Columbia River Estuary Sturgeon Fishing and while you are at it, get a copy of technical report #4- Columbia River Estuary Salmon Fishing for the Bank and Boat Angler for the upcoming Buoy 10 season! Both reports are available from our secured web page here.
Estuary sturgeon fishing remains steady but action seems to taper on the weekends. Smelt for bait are becoming increasingly responsible for limits in the lower reaches of the river where the sculpin and crab have begun their summer assault. Shrimp and anchovies are still a good option in shallower water but plan on going through a lot of it if it is your sole bait.
Crabbing remains poor in the lower Columbia and has been slow in bays and estuaries. Most keeper-sized Dungeness crab are soft-shelled now.
Gorge sturgeon fishing is picking up a bit for those willing to diversify tactics and switch to different baits in those fisheries. The oversized fish are still stuffed with shad and passage of shad has not slowed a bunch at the Bonneville facility. Steelhead numbers continue to climb although tides are not proper for good steelheading in the lower river.
Summer Chinook fishing continues steady but wild fish continue to make up the bulk of the catch. Spinners are taking 2 to 3 Chinook/day for good anglers with about ¼ to 1/3 of those fish missing the right fin. Counts at Bonneville Dam are good.
Summer conditions have prevailed through the Solstice of June 20th. With most rivers and streams extremely low and clear, fishermen applying mid-summer techniques will fare best. This means fishing early and late in the day using stealthy approaches, light tackle and long leaders on Columbia, Willamette and ocean tributaries in Oregon this week.
Showers this weekend will provide brief respite from these conditions as we return to temperatures which are seasonal and higher on Monday.
Shad fishing is holding up at Oregon City. An occasional spring chinook or steelhead is being taken, but conditions are getting tough.
The Sandy River is milky from glacial runoff. the Clackamas remains in good condition with spring chinook and summer steelhead being caught. Anglers will find the Santiams in prime condition with summer steelhead in abundance and spring chinook available which are starting to show a little color, but still fine table fare.
Coastal streams and rivers are extremely low and clear. While fish are present, stealth is required to take them.
trout were stocked this week at Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Town Lake, Lost Lake, the Breitenbush River , Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake , McKenzie River Upper, McKenzie River Lower, Salt Creek, Santiam River North Fork, Collins Lake , Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake , North Fork Reservoir, Silver Creek Reservoir, Trillium Lake, Campbell Lake , Deadhorse Lake , Fish Lake , Lake of the Woods , Miller Lake , Spring Creek, Thompson Reservoir, and Withers Lake.
An effort is underway to close the boat ramp at Oak Grove. Losing this facility would increase pressure, traffic and parking problems during high-use periods (like the height of spring chinook season). Public opinion will be heard at a meeting on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7 P.M. at the Oak Grove Sanitary Building located on 1411 S.E. River Road in Oak Grove.
Those unable to attend may express their opinion by telephone at 503-353-4422.
More on the site:
[url "http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/"]http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/[/url]
The Guide's Forecast
Helping you catch more fish!
June 25th – July 1st, 2004
With another modified sturgeon season in our midst, anglers will want to take full advantage of technical report #3- Columbia River Estuary Sturgeon Fishing and while you are at it, get a copy of technical report #4- Columbia River Estuary Salmon Fishing for the Bank and Boat Angler for the upcoming Buoy 10 season! Both reports are available from our secured web page here.
Estuary sturgeon fishing remains steady but action seems to taper on the weekends. Smelt for bait are becoming increasingly responsible for limits in the lower reaches of the river where the sculpin and crab have begun their summer assault. Shrimp and anchovies are still a good option in shallower water but plan on going through a lot of it if it is your sole bait.
Crabbing remains poor in the lower Columbia and has been slow in bays and estuaries. Most keeper-sized Dungeness crab are soft-shelled now.
Gorge sturgeon fishing is picking up a bit for those willing to diversify tactics and switch to different baits in those fisheries. The oversized fish are still stuffed with shad and passage of shad has not slowed a bunch at the Bonneville facility. Steelhead numbers continue to climb although tides are not proper for good steelheading in the lower river.
Summer Chinook fishing continues steady but wild fish continue to make up the bulk of the catch. Spinners are taking 2 to 3 Chinook/day for good anglers with about ¼ to 1/3 of those fish missing the right fin. Counts at Bonneville Dam are good.
Summer conditions have prevailed through the Solstice of June 20th. With most rivers and streams extremely low and clear, fishermen applying mid-summer techniques will fare best. This means fishing early and late in the day using stealthy approaches, light tackle and long leaders on Columbia, Willamette and ocean tributaries in Oregon this week.
Showers this weekend will provide brief respite from these conditions as we return to temperatures which are seasonal and higher on Monday.
Shad fishing is holding up at Oregon City. An occasional spring chinook or steelhead is being taken, but conditions are getting tough.
The Sandy River is milky from glacial runoff. the Clackamas remains in good condition with spring chinook and summer steelhead being caught. Anglers will find the Santiams in prime condition with summer steelhead in abundance and spring chinook available which are starting to show a little color, but still fine table fare.
Coastal streams and rivers are extremely low and clear. While fish are present, stealth is required to take them.
trout were stocked this week at Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Town Lake, Lost Lake, the Breitenbush River , Carmen Reservoir, Leaburg Lake , McKenzie River Upper, McKenzie River Lower, Salt Creek, Santiam River North Fork, Collins Lake , Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake , North Fork Reservoir, Silver Creek Reservoir, Trillium Lake, Campbell Lake , Deadhorse Lake , Fish Lake , Lake of the Woods , Miller Lake , Spring Creek, Thompson Reservoir, and Withers Lake.
An effort is underway to close the boat ramp at Oak Grove. Losing this facility would increase pressure, traffic and parking problems during high-use periods (like the height of spring chinook season). Public opinion will be heard at a meeting on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7 P.M. at the Oak Grove Sanitary Building located on 1411 S.E. River Road in Oak Grove.
Those unable to attend may express their opinion by telephone at 503-353-4422.
More on the site:
[url "http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/"]http://www.TheGuidesForecast.com/[/url]
The Guide's Forecast
Helping you catch more fish!