Fishing Report 05-05-2023
McKenna from our Oregon City store with her Grandpa, Dudley Nelson, and the awesome turkey he got recently on a family hunt near Grants Pass. McKenna’s Uncle and Dudley’s son, Kipp Nelson, was also along for the trip. Kipp just happens to be the buyer for our Hunting Department. Nice job, Team Nelson!
Fishing Report:
The Spring Chinook fishing around the Northwest is in full swing. In Washington, the Cowlitz has had Chinook pushing in every day. Folks have been finding fish from Longview up to Blue Creek. They have been catching fish backtrolling divers and bait or plugs, as well as backbouncing bait. In the Columbia River Gorge, at the mouth of the Wind River and Drano Lake, people have definitely been catching fish. These fisheries have folks using all types of techniques. You will find anglers trolling Mag Lips, Kwikfish and Magnum Wiggle Warts. Trolling 360 flashers with small 3.5 size spinners, Brad’s Superbaits, Cutplugs, Simon Spindawgs, Yakima Bait Spinfish and prawn spinners. As the water warms up a little more you will also have folks bobber fishing eggs and shrimp or even tuna balls.
Springer fishing is now in full spring on the Willamette River from the falls down to Multnomah Channel. Fisherman’s Pro, Chris Vertopoulos, has been doing quite well trolling 360 flashers and prawn spinners. Fishing suspended in the Portland Harbor area has been one of the keys to his success. Many folks are still doing really well trolling triangle flashers and plug cut herring throughout the river. As you move up to Oregon City you are seeing a change to backtrolling divers and eggs. Fisherman’s Pro, David Johnson, has been doing well with this exact technique. Another option is to use whole sand shrimp or small plugs.
Catch and release Sturgeon fishing has been killer. Since this fishery is a catch and release fishery, it doesn’t get quite the pressure that others do. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t an amazing fishery. Lots of anglers are reporting plentiful fish with a wide variety of sizes being caught. Definitely a fun way to spend a day on the water. Smelt, squid, sand shrimp and herring are all great bait choices.
Spring Smallmouth Bass fishing is a fun fishery that is definitely starting to gain popularity over the last 10 years. As these fish start to move up shallow to spawn you will start seeing great fishing! Tube baits, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and even topwater baits are all techniques that should be in your arsenal.
Trout fishing is another spring activity that many Northwest fishermen partake in. In the Portland-Metro area, ODFW has been planting many lakes and rivers with several getting quite large plants. Hagg Lake and Benson Lake both received over 4,000 legal Trout this past week. Fishing bait under bobbers is a fun and productive technique that nearly anyone can be successful at. Fishing bait off of the bottom is also a great option. Powerbait, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs and salad shrimp all work well with this technique. Boat anglers will find success trolling small Mag Lips, Flatfish and Hotshots. Trolling wedding rings tipped with nightcrawlers is another effective way to target freshly-planted Trout as well.
Kokanee fishing up on Lake Merwin continues to be very productive for anglers. These fish are still high in the water column and folks are finding success trolling with little to no weight. Dodgers and hoochies, spinner blades, small Spin-N-Glos and Brad’s Kokanee Cutplugs are all taking fish regularly. Tip your offering with a kernel of ShoePeg corn and your favorite scent and you are in the game.
Bottomfishing along the coast is starting to heat up. Good catches have been reported out of most Central to North Coast ports when conditions have allowed for a mixed of various rockfish and Lingcod.
Razor Clamming at Long Beach has been really good for folks heading down to the coast. WDFW has set their final Spring Dig schedules and the final day will be May 14th. They also upped the daily limit to 20 Clams instead of 15!Head down before the spring digs end.
