Winter steelhead are throughout the Nestucca, but fishing has slowed some due to low flows and cold-water temperatures. Fishing will improve when we get some rain. Until then light line, dark colors, and subtle terminal presentations should help increase the odds of hooking fish. Low water is also a good time to fish hardware (spoons or spinners) or to pull plugs as these methods tend to entice a territorial bite. The Nestucca gets one of our largest hatchery winter steelhead releases and is a top pick for those wanting to catch fish they can keep.

The Little Nestucca does not have a hatchery steelhead release but does provide some catch and release opportunity for wild steelhead.