Fishing Report – 4/17

Winter Steelhead

Winter Steelhead fishing is just about wrapped up for the season. There are still a few fish around, and we’re starting to see the first pushes of summer steelhead show up as well. With broodstock programs in many systems, there’s always a chance at a late, chrome-bright winter fish through April, but overall numbers and quality are tapering off as the month goes on. If you’re still getting after them, focus on covering water and fishing clean presentations.

Techniques & Gear: Bobberdogging bait, beads, or yarnies; backtrolling smaller Maglips, K11 Kwikfish, or Brad’s Wigglers for a shot at summer steelhead or an early Spring Chinook.

Spring Chinook – Columbia River

Spring Chinook fishing really started to heat up during the last few days of the opener on the Columbia. We saw solid reports of anglers finding limits, especially those trolling herring and flashers during tide changes and incoming pushes. Pro Staffer Phil Mattson has been consistently getting it done both trolling and on anchor. With the heavy outgoing tides, a lot of anglers opted to anchor up—and it paid off.

Techniques & Gear: Trolling herring with flashers; anchoring with Maglips, Kwikfish, FlatFish, or Brad’s Killerfish; flasher and herring or prawn spinner setups.

Spring Chinook – Willamette River

The Willamette continues to build with more fish showing every week. Pro Staffers Josiah Darr and Ted Teufel have been finding success working the Multnomah Channel and lower river stretches with flashers and herring. As always, scent can be the difference maker when the bite gets pressured, so don’t overlook it. As water temps climb, keep an eye on the Oregon City backtrolling bite—it should start to turn on soon and can be lights out when it does.

Techniques & Gear: Flashers with herring; adding scent to your bait; backtrolling small egg clusters with sand shrimp tails, prawns, whole sand shrimp, or small plugs in Oregon City.

Sturgeon – Willamette River (Catch & Release)

Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing on the Willamette continues to be a sleeper fishery. While retention isn’t allowed, the action can be incredible. It’s not uncommon to hook into 20–40 fish in a day, making it a great option for steady rod-bending action.

Techniques & Gear: Squid, sand shrimp, herring, smelt, and anchovies fished on the bottom.

Razor Clamming

Razor clamming is opening back up for a 7-day stretch starting April 17th. This season has been as good as it gets, with strong numbers and consistent digging. If you’ve been thinking about getting out, now’s the time.

Techniques & Gear: Standard clam guns or shovels; timing your digs around low tides for best success.

Surf Perch

Surf perch fishing ties in perfectly with clam tides and has been producing well. Fishing the incoming tide after a morning clam dig can lead to some great action. These fish move in tight to feed in the churn, so don’t be afraid to fish close.

Techniques & Gear: Sand shrimp, clam necks, and Berkley Gulp sandworms fished in the surf.

Trout

ODFW has been busy stocking lakes and reservoirs across the state. Ten Mile and Hebo Lakes both saw fresh plants, and Green Peter Reservoir got a big drop this week as well. With warming temps and fresh fish, trout season is wide open right now.

Techniques & Gear: PowerBait, nightcrawlers, or salmon eggs fished off the bottom or under a bobber; casting spinners, spoons, or Kastmasters; trolling Maglips, FlatFish, wedding rings, or wiggle hoochies.