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  FISHING

Fishing -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Beginning Jan. 1, 2013 the following tributaries of the Columbia will be restricted to barbless hooks when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout:

• Youngs River from Hwy 101 bridge upstream to markers at confluence with Klaskanine River.
• Lewis and Clark River from Hwy 101 bridge upstream to Alternate Hwy 101 bridge.
• Walluski River from confluence with Youngs River upstream to Hwy 202 bridge.
• Gnat Creek from railroad bridge upstream to Aldrich Point Road.
• Knappa/Blind Slough select areas.

Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports―the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.

Check out the new trout stocking map
Find the location and details about the many lakes ponds and streams that receive hatchery trout from ODFW’s fish hatcheries on the new Google-based fishing map.

NORTH COAST LAKES

Cape Meares, Hebo, Town and Coffenbury lakes are scheduled to be stocked the week of May 27, just before free fishing weekend. Nedonna Pond and Trask hatchery will have free fishing weekend events.

Ongoing improvements at Lorens Pond are nearing completion. New ADA access is now available, and road grading is scheduled to be completed soon. Trail work is almost done too.

MID COAST LAKES

Trout stocking of the mid coast water bodies is under way. The online stocking schedule is now posted so be sure to check which areas will be stocked before you head out fishing.

Fishing for warm water species is slow during the winter months. Largemouth bass, perch, bluegill and brown bullhead are the most common warm water fish. The Florence area offers the most opportunity along the mid coast such as Siltcoos, Tahkenitch, Woahink, Sutton, and Mercer lakes.

ALSEA RIVER: trout

Opens to trout on May 25.

Winter Steelhead -Photo by Derek Wilson-

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead

Fishing for steelhead is slow to fair. More summer steelhead will be showing up over the coming weeks. Reports of spring chinook are increasing, and fishing is improving. Target tidewater or the lower river for best results. Gear restrictions are in effect in Three Rivers.

SILETZ RIVER: steelhead
                                                                 
Overall, steelhead fishing is slow. May tends to be the transition period between the summer and winter steelhead runs. Small pulses of summer steelhead are starting to move in. The peak of the summer run typically occurs around late June into July. The winter steelhead run is virtually over for the year with some wild winter steelhead on the tail end of the spawning season.

SIUSLAW RIVER: trout, chinook

Closed to winter steelhead but open for trout and chinook salmon.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon, chinook

Spring chinook angling is improving. Fish numbers will be building in the coming weeks. The upcoming low tide series should draw some fish through the upper bay. When conditions permit, the ocean outside the bay has produced some fish. Trolling herring the lower bay in has been the best bet during the softer tides. Sturgeon fishing has been slow for the most part. Target the channel edges on outgoing tides. Move frequently to find fish if you are not getting bites.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead, chinook

Spring chinook angling is improving. Decent numbers of fish are showing through the lower river and tidewater areas. Anglers are reminded that gear restrictions took effect in portions of the river beginning May 1.

Anglers who catch a steelhead or salmon with numbered tag(s) are encouraged to report catch information via the internet at or by calling ODFW at 503-842-2741 and asking for Derek Wiley. All live tagged fish that are not legal to retain or are voluntarily not kept should be released quickly and unharmed with tags intact.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead

The river is very low and clear. A few summer steelhead are available, along with a few spring chinook in the lower river.

YAQUINA RIVER: steelhead

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  HUNTING

OPEN: COUGAR

Black Bear Oregon Fish and Wildlife

Use the Oregon Hunting Map to see where to hunt.

Bear – Holders of spring bear tags should find good conditions for the final two weeks of the season as spring green-up continues in full force. Open, grassy areas on south-facing slopes and clear cuts are good places to glass, especially in the late afternoon and early evening. Bears will also key in on sites with an abundance of rotting logs and stumps to dig for insects. A fawn bleat may be an effective call to use as bears are also actively predating young deer and elk calves at this time.

Cougar - Are most effectively taken by using predator calls. However, cougar densities are relatively low on the north coast. Successful hunters, remember you must check in cougar (hide and skull) at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest and bring them in unfrozen. It’s also a good idea to prop their mouths open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. See regulations for details.

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  VIEWING

COASTAL VIEWING

Yellow-rumped Warbler - Photo by David Bronson-

The Oregon Coast Birding Trail website has a wealth of information for birding the entire OR and N CA coastal areas, and includes upcoming birding festivals. Just click on the north coast tab to explore over 40 birding trails in that area! Other regions of the coast have corresponding links with their compliment of trails. Each trail is described along with a listing of birds you might see on it. It’s a great resource for birders!

In May, the forests of the north coast will be alive with birds. Look and listen for neo-tropical songbirds, especially in forest stands with hardwoods. Many species, such as warblers, generally nest high in the canopies of trees, with males advertising nesting territories. Many species nest higher in the canopies as well, and can be challenging to find. Binoculars are very handy for birding in the forest. 4/30/13

CLATSOP COUNTY

Ft. Stevens State Park

The wildlife viewing bunker accessed from Parking Lot “D” at Trestle Bay offers great observation opportunities for waterfowl, shorebirds and other water birds. Early spring is a time when shorebirds and waterfowl both are staging to migrate, and can be seen in large numbers at times on Trestle Bay. Binoculars or a spotting scope are highly recommended.

Lower Columbia River

The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary, located east of Astoria along Hwy 30, is much more than a wildlife area to view eagles. Now that spring is here and summer is on its way, look and listen for the sounds of songbirds in the marsh.  The characteristic call of the marsh wren is especially noticeable.  If you’re fortunate, you might see a brood of ducklings or goslings from a recent hatch. The Sanctuary is located just off of Highway 30, east of Astoria. Bring your binoculars and/or spotting scope for best viewing. 5/7/13.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

Roosevelt Elk -Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

Elk are still available for viewing at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Elk have been visible most days on the Fishhawk Tract which is located along Hwy 202. Best viewing times are early mornings. Visitors should start near the main viewing area and along Hwy 202 to observe larger herds of females and young. The older bulls are usually found near the west viewing area, and are growing their new antlers. The Beneke Tract is also a worth a look if the elk are not out along Hwy 202. Other wildlife to watch for include songbirds in alder trees, coyotes in the fields, and hawks perched high in trees or soaring along Fishhawk and Beneke Creeks. 5/7/13.

TILLAMOOK COUNTY

The WHIMBRELS have returned to Tillamook County, as they do each May, on their way eventually to the Arctic where they nest. They are one of the larger shorebirds, with plain, brown plumage and a long, downturned bill. Whimbrels are often seen and heard flying over pastures in the Tillamook Valley, usually in small groups, but sometimes congregating in groups of up to 200. Another place to find them reliably during May is on the beach at Bayocean Spit, north of Cape Meares.

Colonial nesting seabirds, such as COMMON MURRES, are staging around Three Arch Rocks and other near-shore rocks along the north coast in hopes of nesting soon. However, in previous years, bald eagles have been ravaging these potential nesting colonies to the point where few, if any, young are produced at them. As a result, the seabirds must generally seek out more sheltered and isolated locales to bring off a successful nest. Bald eagles have continued to increase in numbers over the years to the point where they are a fairly common sight along north coast estuaries. 5/14/13.