Fishing report 4-4
Winter Steelhead
Those in the know understand that just because the calendar says it’s April, doesn’t mean that Winter Steelhead season is over. The first two weeks of April can provide some of the best Winter Steelhead fishing of the year. Thanks to broodstock programs, chrome-bright, fresh-off-the-tide hatchery fish are still entering rivers. Back trolling plugs is an effective way to target them, and you may even stumble into a Summer Steelhead or Spring Chinook. Pink worms, beads, jigs, spinners, spoons, and various types of bait all work well for these fish. While many anglers are shifting their focus to Springers, they could be missing out on some of the best Steelhead fishing of the year!
Spring Chinook
Spring Chinook fishermen are eagerly awaiting the departure of the large schools of smelt in the Columbia River. With millions of smelt present in many major lower Columbia tributaries, targeting Spring Chinook has been challenging. The abundance of smelt makes it difficult for herring to stand out, and anglers must also contend with numerous sea lions. However, as the smelt begin to leave, the bite is expected to drastically improve.
Anchor fishing with Kwikfish is a great way to target Springers, especially with recent increases in river flow. Kwikfish, Brad’s Killer Fish, Maglips, and Flatfish all produce great results when wiggling in prime travel lanes. Trolling herring with triangle flashers remains a popular technique. A trick used by pro angler Terry Mulkey is to add a small spinner blade in front of a cut-plug herring to make it stand out from the competition.
Catch-and-Release Sturgeon Fishing
Sturgeon fishing in the Willamette River continues to improve each week. Squid, herring, smelt, sand shrimp, and shad strips have all been effective bait choices for targeting these giants.
Bottom Fishing
Spring bottom fishing is often overlooked as anglers shift their focus to Spring Chinook and Steelhead. However, bottom fishing grounds are producing well, with a great mix of species being caught. With generous limits, anglers can quickly fill their fish boxes.
Razor Clamming
Razor clamming at Long Beach has been productive, and additional tentative dig dates are expected soon. Due to ongoing toxin testing, these digs are often announced abruptly, so anglers should stay alert for upcoming opportunities.
Kokanee at Lake Merwin
Kokanee fishing at Lake Merwin is strong, offering anglers a great option for stocking their freezers with fresh salmon. While they aren’t as large as Spring Chinook, they provide an excellent alternative when the Willamette or Columbia River conditions are unfavorable. Trolling a variety of wobblers has been effective, and tipping the bait with a kernel or two of Shoepeg corn has been the key to success for many anglers.
Trout Fishing
Trout fishing is heating up, with ODFW continuing to stock large numbers of legal-sized trout. Recent stockings have included over 3,000 trout each in Dexter Reservoir, Loon Lake, and Cooper Creek Reservoir. Boat anglers will find success trolling small flatfish, Maglips, or hotshots. Wedding ring rigs tipped with corn or nightcrawlers are also effective. Bank anglers can use a variety of baits on the bottom or under a float, while casting spinners remains a solid tactic. An often underutilized method is fishing with a bubble and fly, allowing for long casts to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
Get out there and take advantage of these great fishing opportunities this April!