ODFW Recreation Report


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
7-23-2021
Website

Warm weather fishing updates and guidance

Temperatures have moderated in many areas of the state. However, drought and low water levels persist and we can expect water temperatures to spike again later in the summer. Here’s what you should know about fishing in these conditions.

Best bets for weekend fishing

Despite the low water levels and high water temperatures in much of the state, there are still lots of opportunities to have a little fishing fun.

  • On the north coast, sea-run cutthroat trout are moving from the estuaries into the rivers. Upper Tillamook Bay and the Nestucca estuary are great places to target these aggressive trout.
  • Anglers are catching a few “summer” Chinook – an early arriving variant of a fall Chinook – in the Nehalem Bay.
  • In the SW Zone, Fish, Applegate, Willow and Selmac lake are all offering good shots at trout and/or warmwater species.
  • Fishing should be excellent in the Upper Rogue River between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek. This section of river is stocked with 3,500 trout per week through Labor Day.
  • Spearfish anglers have been reporting some success harvesting smallmouth bass in the South Fork Coquille River.
  • Striped bass are biting in the Coquille River.
  • Foster and Green Peter reservoirs have been stocked several times this year, and fishing should be good for both trout and warmwater species.
  • There are some big largemouth bass lurking in the waters of Taylor Lake in the Gorge.
  • Summer steelhead fishing on the lower Deschutes has been slow, but there are fish around in the lower river downstream of Macks Canyon.
  • Fishing for trout should be good at Miller Lake. The lake is getting additional stocked trout originally intended for Fourmile Lake.

Wildfire closures and restrictions updates

Anglers and hunters should confirm access

Fire danger in many parts of the state remains extreme. The Forest Service has closed the Umatilla National Forest to the public, and the Oregon departments of parks and forestry have banned all campfires on their lands east of I-5.

  • To keep up with the latest closures and restrictions on private forest lands, check out the links on this webpage.
  • To help you navigate the status of popular recreation sites on public lands, natural resource management agencies in Oregon have released an interagency status map that shows open, closed and reduced service areas on a single map, regardless of reason for closure.
  • Finally, check the zone reports for updates on specific waterbodies.

Sign up for a youth pheasant hunt

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus safety and success. Here are five reasons they're so popular:

  • No adult competition. Youth hunts happen before the official pheasant season begins.
  • Emphasis on safety. A review of safety procedures, controlled access and a defined hunting area characterize many of the hunts.
  • Increased chance of success. ODFW releases pen-raised pheasants for each hunt, because early success can help build lifetime hunters.
  • Available statewide. There are hunt locations from Ontario to the Willamette Valley to the Rogue.
  • They're free!

Learn more about where to hunt and how to register.





OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

Ana Reservoir: The Reservoir Was Recently Stocked With 4,000 Rainbow Trout
Balm Creek Reservoir: Balm Creek Provides a Good Oppertunity to Escape The Heat
Chewaucan River: The Water Is Already Starting To Approach Summer Flows
Deming Creek: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Duncan Reservoir: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Fish Lake : Fish Lake and Camping Around the Lake is Accessible
Gerber Reservoir: Targeting Yellow Perch is Your Best Bet
Heart Lake: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Holbrook Reservoir: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Lake Of The Woods: Fishing Will Be Fair as Most Stocked Rainbow Trout Will Move to Deeper Water
Lofton Reservoir: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Long Creek Reservoir: Fishing is Not Recommended at This Time Due to the Bootleg Fire in That Area
Phillips Reservoir: Bag Limits and Size Limits For All Species Have Been Lifted From July 15 Through Sept 6
Sprague River: Fishing is Not Recommended at This Time Due to Smoke From the Bootleg Fire
Sycan River: Fishing is Not Recommended at This Time
Thief Valley Reservoir: Bag Limits and Size Limits For All Species Have Been Lifted From July 15 Through Sept 6
Thompson Valley Reservoir: Inaccessible Due to Fire
Wood River: Wood River Fishing Update
John Day River: Flows on The John Day River are Currently Unusually Low For This Time of Year
Agate Lake: Agate Lake is at 36 Percent Capacity
Applegate Reservoir: The Reservoir is 49 Percent Full
Bradley Lake: Bradley Lake Fishing Update
Butterfield Lake: Butterfield Lake Fishing Update
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Anglers Continue to Catch Trout and Other Species During The Hot Weather
Emigrant Reservoir: Bass Fishing Should Be Fair to Good
Fish Lake : Lake Level is 25 Percent Full
Hemlock Lake: Road is Likely Closed Due to Fires
Illinois River: Emergency Regulations Change: Effective July 1
Lake Selmac: The Coming Week Should See a Slight Cool Off at Lake Selmac
Lost Creek Lake: Fishing is Still Good
Medco Pond: Trout Should Still be Available
Rogue River- Lower: Early Success on Chinook
Rogue River - Middle: Emergency Drought Regulations
Rogue River- Upper: The Hatchery Hole is Closed to All Fishing Through July 31
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): This is an Excellent Destination to Escape the Heat This Weekend
Tenmile Lakes: Trout Fishing Has Slowed Down With the Warm Water Temperatures
Umpqua River: Chinook Season Closed on July 1
Willow Lake: Trout Fishing at Willow Lake Should Still Be Good
Clackamas River: Summer Steelhead Are Currently Being Caught
Detroit Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 3,800 Hatchery Trout
Eagle Creek: The Creek Remains Too Low and Clear to Offer Much Fishing Opportunity
Foster Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again in The Fall
Harriett Lake: Lake Harriet is Now Open
North Fork Reservoir: Trout Fishing Has Been Good
Quartzville Creek: Will be Stocked Again This Week
Sandy River: Summer Steelhead Fishing Has Been Fair
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Hoot Owl Regulations in Effect For This River Below Big Cliff Dam
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: The River is Slowly Dropping and Will Contiune to Drop as Summer Progresses
Santiam River (South Fork): Fishing is Generally Best When Flows Are Below 3,000 cfs
Timothy Lake: The Lake Was Last Stocked on June 16
Trillium Lake: The Lake Was Stocked the Week of June 21 With 1,250 Trout