Fishing Report 04-02-2021

One last cast: Trevor from our Oregon City store made one last trip to the coast for Steelhead, and was rewarded with this gorgeous fish along with several others, even as the season is winding down. As most Northwest Anglers continue to switch over to Spring Chinook, diehard Steelhead anglers like Trevor can still find some quality fish for at least a couple more weeks at the coast and in local streams that are still open. Good luck!

Fishing report 4-2

Winter Steelhead fishing is winding down with a lot of anglers switching gears to Spring Chinook. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still quality Steelhead to catch. A lot of rivers have switched their hatchery production to broodstock programs, so some rivers will see some hatchery fish into the first week or two of April. Couple these fish with early returning summer steelhead, and you can really have a fun day on the water. Back trolling plugs, side drifting or Bobberdoggin bait and float fishing jigs or pink worms will a work well. Keep in mind that some streams closed to steelhead after March 31st, so always check regulations.

Spring Chinook fishing has been ramping up in both the Willamette and the Columbia. These fish have sensed the change in weather and are making their way upstream. Trolling herring with triangle flashers has been the most popular technique with fish being caught all throughout the Willamette, and as high up as Beacon Rock on the Columbia. Anglers are also anchoring up and catching fish on Mag Lips, Kwikfish and Killerfish. On the Willamette, folks are trolling in the Portland Harbor and Multnomah Channel. As folks move upriver you will see anglers anchoring up, forward trolling, back trolling, backbouncing and vertical jigging.

Catch and release Sturgeon fishing has been great in the Willamette recently. While most anglers are targeting Spring Chinook, Sturgeon can provide a great “back up plan”. Take the bait you brined up for Chinook fishing and drop if down to the bottom to have some afternoon fun playing catch and release. Herring, squid, smelt and sand shrimp are all good bait choices.

Trout fishing has been good and will be getting better as the weather improves and water temps increase. If you have the opportunity to use a boat you will open up more opportunities with trolling. Mag Lips, Flatfish, wedding rings and even small spoons will all work well when trolling around to find the aggressive fish in the lake. For those that are bank bound, fishing bait off of the bottom or under a bobber is a great option. Casting spinners, Kastmasters or bubble and fly are all great options to try and find the aggressive and active fish.

Kokanee fishing is still a great option up at Lake Merwin. Reports have been coming in that these fish are still really high in the water column, giving anyone with a boat the opportunity to cash in on these delicious landlocked salmon. Wedding rings, small Spin-N-Glo’s, small spinner blades, Wiggle Hoochies and Brad’s Kokanee Cutplugs have all been working well. Always tip your gear with Shoepeg corn and bring along a few different scents to try throughout the day.

Walleye fishing in the Columbia River has been good and people will find success trolling bottom walkers with worm harnesses. Some folks have been catching them jigging, while most of the pack will be using worm harnesses.

Surf Perch fishing should be picking up and look for the fishing to get better as the warm weather continues. Sand Shrimp, clam necks and Berkley Gulp Sand Worms have all been productive baits. Targeting these fish on the incoming tide is when most anglers find success.

Smallmouth Bass fishing is starting to pick up as these fish are very water temperature dependent. So as the weather gets nicer and the Columbia and Willamette start to warm up, look for these hard fighting fish to start moving towards the shallows and getting ready to spawn. Soft plastics and deep diving crankbaits should be some of the first techniques that anglers start with when chasing early season Smallmouth.


Always be sure to check local regulations at ODFW and WDFW before heading out. Find reports and two most widely used baits, information on the Fisherman's Community page.