Fishing Report 3-27

Steelhead

Winter Steelhead fishing is still going strong, and while many anglers are beginning to switch gears and trade bobber rods for trolling setups, those in the know aren’t done chasing Steelhead just yet. The end of March into early April often produces some of the best fishing of the season. Expect a good mix of fresh and older fish throughout the system, with the chance of running into an early summer Steelhead.

As water temperatures begin to rise, a wide variety of techniques are producing. Backtrolling plugs like Mag Lips, Kwikfish, Wiggle Warts, and Hot Shots has been a popular and effective approach, especially with the possibility of hooking into Steelhead, Spring Chinook, or both in the same day. Bobberdogging continues to be a highly productive method, allowing anglers to efficiently cover water and stay in front of active fish.

Techniques & Gear: Backtrolling Mag Lips, Kwikfish, Wiggle Warts, and Hot Shots, along with bobberdogging, side drifting, and traditional float fishing.

Spring Chinook

Spring has officially arrived, and so have the Spring Chinook. Reports are coming in daily of fish hitting the bottom of coolers on both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Pro Staff member Eric Baird called it—after the Willamette bumped and cleared, the fish started pushing in strong. Eric has landed four Springers in the last four days alone.

Trolling prawn spinners has been the standout method, while others are finding consistent success pulling plug-cut herring behind flashers. No matter the approach, fish are being caught daily, and it’s only going to get better as more fish continue to push into the system.

Techniques & Gear: Trolling prawn spinners or plug-cut herring behind flashers.

Sturgeon

Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing remains a fantastic option right now. The Willamette is loaded with these prehistoric giants, and it’s a great opportunity to spend a day battling oversized fish.

Anglers are finding success soaking a variety of baits including sand shrimp, herring, smelt, anchovies, salmon eggs, and prawns. With how active these fish are, there are plenty of opportunities for consistent action.

Techniques & Gear: Sand shrimp, herring, smelt, anchovies, salmon eggs, and prawns.

Bottomfish / Ocean

Bottom fishing continues to be an excellent early spring opportunity, with strong Lingcod numbers and many anglers finding limits. Fishing large curly tail grubs, farallon feathers, shrimp flies, and vertical jigs has been very effective when targeting these aggressive fish.

Pro Staff member Andy Martin has also started finding early king salmon along the southern Oregon coast, putting clients on limits while trolling anchovies behind flashers and divers.

Techniques & Gear: Curly tail grubs, farallon feathers, shrimp flies, vertical jigs, and trolling anchovies behind flashers and divers.

Kokanee

Kokanee fishing at Lake Merwin has been solid and offers one of the most scenic fisheries around, with Mt. St. Helens in the background. Anglers are consistently finding fish while trolling a variety of kokanee setups.

Techniques & Gear: Wedding rings, wiggle hoochies, small spinner blades, mini Cut Plugs, and Spin-n-Glos.

Walleye

Walleye fishing in the Columbia River Gorge is heating up. Pro Staff member Steve Leonard has been finding excellent success and putting clients on quality fish consistently.

Trolling bottom walkers paired with worm harness rigs has been the key setup producing fresh fillets.

Techniques & Gear: Bottom walkers with worm harness rigs.

Trout

Trout fishing is picking up across the state as ODFW continues stocking lakes and reservoirs. Popular fisheries like Henry Hagg Lake, Dexter Reservoir, and Dorena Reservoir have all received significant plants, with Dorena seeing over 5,000 fish.

Freshly stocked trout are aggressive and provide great action for anglers of all skill levels. Fishing bait continues to be the most reliable method, while casting spinners and Kastmasters is a close second. Boat anglers are also finding great success trolling small plugs and attractors, often leading to steady action and multiple hook-ups.

Techniques & Gear: PowerBait, spinners, Kastmasters, and trolling small FlatFish, Mag Lips, or wedding rings tipped with worms.