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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.

Many coastal rivers have a seasonal spring fishing closure starting April 1 to protect out migrating salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout smolts. Anglers are encouraged to consult the 2013 angling regulations prior to fishing a specific river this spring.

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, Smith, Tahoe, Spring, Lytle, South, North, Town, Hebo, Coffenbury, Lost lakes are scheduled to be stocked the week of April 8th. Vernonia Pond, Lorens Pond, and Nedonna Pond are also scheduled to be stocked. Fishing should be good.

An experimental release of trout was made in Saltair Pond in Rockaway recently. The pond is located in the middle of town just south of the police station. ODFW would be interested in fishing reports to see how the fish do in the pond. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 or use the website to submit your fishing report.

Ongoing improvements at Lorens Pond are nearing completion. New ADA access and other amenities are or will be available soon. Road grading is scheduled for later in April.

Surplus hatchery steelhead have been stocked in Coffenbury Lake, Town Lake, Vernonia Pond and Lake Lytle this winter.

MID COAST LAKES

Trout stocking of the mid coast water bodies is in full swing with most areas having been stocked multiple times already this year. The online stocking schedule is posted on the web so be sure to check which areas have been recently stocked before you head out fishing.

Fishing for warm water species is starting to pick up as water temperatures are increasing and days are getting longer. Many species are gearing up to start the spring spawning activities in the shallows. Look for protected coves with good sun light and cover to target bass, perch, and bluegill this spring. The Florence area offers the most opportunity along the mid coast such as Siltcoos, Tahkenitch, Woahink, Sutton, and Mercer lakes.

ALSEA RIVER: steelhead

The winter steelhead fishery for hatchery fish is very slow. A small number of hatchery fish may still be available in the mid to upper river but will likely be in full spawning condition. Wild steelhead are in peak spawning mode in the spring and anglers are encouraged to handle these fish with care.

NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead

Winter Steelhead -Photo by Derek Wilson-

Angling for winter steelhead should be fair when conditions permit. The river was rising last weekend and conditions may be marginal early in the week. The upper river above Hwy 26 and the Salmonberry, Cook Creek and the North Fork all closed March 31.

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.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead

Fishing for winter steelhead improved with the last storm, but the numbers of fresh fish are declining as it is late in the season. A few summer steelhead should begin showing up soon. The river above Blaine closed March 31. Spring chinook opened April 1, but few fish are expected to available in the river until May.

SILETZ RIVER: steelhead
                                                                 
Winter steelhead fishing is fair with fish being found throughout the river. Low clear flows this time of year can be productive but tactics should be adjusted accordingly. Small pulses of fish will continue to move in through the month.

SIUSLAW RIVER: steelhead

White Sturgeon - Oregon Fish and Wildlife -

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon

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. The statewide season bag limit has been increased to 2 fish beginning April 1. Spring chinook opened April 1 in the bay. Fishing is generally slow early in the season. Trolling herring in the lower bay is the most productive. If conditions permit, the ocean outside the bay might produce some early fish.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead, chinook

Steelhead angling improved somewhat with the rain last weekend. The numbers of fresh fish are dropping, with a higher percentage of spawners in the catch. Some fish are available throughout the river basin. The north and south forks closed March 31. Spring chinook angling opened April 1. Expect few fish to be around until later in the season.

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

Steelhead fishing picked up over the weekend and fair numbers of fish should be around. An occasional summer steelhead should begin to show up. Fishing conditions should be good early in the week. The South Fork and Little North Fork closed march 31. Spring chinook opened April 1, but fishing will be very slow early in the season.

YAQUINA RIVER: steelhead

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  HUNTING

Cougar - Royalty Free Image-

OPEN: COUGAR, GOOSE, SPRING BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Map to see where to hunt.

Mandatory Reporting
Thanks to all hunters who reported their 2012 tags on time. Hunters who did not report 2012 deer and elk tags on time will pay a $25 penalty fee when they purchase a 2014 hunting license. If your 2012 deer and elk hunts extend into 2013, you have until April 15, 2013 to report your hunt. More information on reporting

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

Harlequin Ducks - Photo by Greg Gillson-

10th Annual Birding & Blues Festival - April 12, 13 and 14, 2013 In Pacific City, the town's Kiawanda Community Center will be presenting the Birding and Blues Festival on April 12 – 14. There will be guided field trips, indoor seminars and workshops, birding tours, a raffle and bundles of blues bands.

The Oregon Coast Birding Trail website www.oregoncoastbirding.com 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!

GRAY WHALES will be migrating north along the coast of Oregon during the months of March and April. Spring break is usually when they start showing on the north coast in appreciable numbers. Some excellent places to view them include Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, Cape Meares, Neah-Kah-Nie Mtn., Cape Falcon, Silver Point (near Cannon Beach) and Tillamook Head. During the latter part of March, volunteers from the Whale Watching Spoken Here program are at many of these watch points to help folks find and watch the migrating mammals. Bring you binoculars for best viewing.

CLATSOP COUNTY

Ft. Stevens State Park

At last report, several snowy owls continue to be seen at Ft. Stevens State Park. A number of them usually migrate down from the north to spend limited and sporadic time there, often along the south jetty of the Columbia River. Remember to bring your binoculars and/or spotting scope for best viewing.

Lower Columbia River

The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary is much more than a wildlife area to view eagles. During the winter, the marsh area of Wolf Bay is alive with waterfowl, including tundra swans. The Sanctuary is located just off of Highway 30, east of Astoria. Bring your binoculars and/or spotting scope for best viewing.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

Roosevelt Elk -Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

Elk viewing has been excellent at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Elk have been visible throughout the day on the Fishhawk Tract. Best viewing times are from 9:00 am to about noon each day. 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. The Beneke Tract is also a good bet if the elk are not out along Hwy 202. Elk are currently being fed a supplemental diet of alfalfa hay on the wildlife area. Staff tries to feed close to the viewing areas on weekends to enhance viewing opportunities. Reservations for the winter elk feeding tours have been completely filled for the 3-month season. Other wildlife to watch for include songbirds near the viewing area feeders, coyotes in the fields, and bald eagles perched high in trees or soaring along Fishhawk and Beneke Creeks.

TILLAMOOK COUNTY

In Pacific City, the town's Kiawanda Community Center will be presenting the Birding and Blues Festival on April 12 – 14. There will be guided field trips, indoor seminars and workshops, birding tours, a raffle and bundles of blues bands.

The Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located southeast of Pacific City is home to several varieties of wintering CACKLING and CANADA GEESE. The refuge tract immediately west of Highway 101 has fields that are favored by the geese for grazing. Viewing is easy right off of the highway, and binoculars are suggested for optimal viewing. Occasionally, individual birds will have colored neck collars, marked with alpha numeric symbols. A spotting scope is best for reading those collars.

Steller Sea Lions - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

STELLER SEA LIONS are hanging out in good numbers Three Arch Rocks NWR, where they will stay through the breeding season in summer. The larger and lighter colored cousins to the more numerous California sea lions have struggled in numbers in their range for decades. However, they can be seen reliably here throughout the year except for October when most of them leave, only to return by November. Fortunately, they tend to loaf on Seal Rock, the lowest and closest rock to the shore, thus making for great viewing opportunities. Binoculars or spotting scopes are still recommended, through. 3/26/13.