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| Angler fishes for resident cutthroat trout in the Necanicum River, one of dozens of rivers and streams that open to trout the Saturday. Jessica Sall/ODFW |
May 19, 2014
SALEM , Ore. – Trout fishing enthusiasts will turn their attention to the state’s rivers and streams this weekend, when dozens of moving waters open on Saturday, May 24.
While many lakes and some river and streams in Oregon already are open to fishing, the May 24 kickoff opens dozens of additional rivers, streams and even some lakes in central and northeast Oregon west to the Cascade mountain range and the Oregon coast. Popular fisheries opening this Saturday include:
- The North and South Fork Santiam and Luckiamute rivers and Estacada Lake and North Fork Reservoir in the Willamette Zone.
- The Trask, Wilson, Nehalem (including tidewater) and Nestucca rivers in the Northwest Zone.
- The Umpqua, Rogue, Coos and Coquille rivers in the Southwest Zone.
- Popular stretches of the Deschutes, Fall and Metolius rivers in the Central Zone.
- Kinney Reservoir and Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Wallowa rivers in the Northeast Zone.
- Chewaucan (downstream of Paisley), Williamson and lower section of Sprague rivers in the Southeast Zone.
In addition to these big names, there are dozens of small, unknown creeks and rivers seldom seen by more than a few visitors. Here is a list of some lesser known streams that will quietly open to trout fishing this weekend:
Willamette Zone – Bear Creek, Gales Creek, Erma Bell Lakes, Gold Lake, Rickreall Creek, Salmon River, Tualatin River.
Northwest Zone – Big Elk Creek, Clatskanie River, Cook Creek, Deadwood Creek, , Indian Creek, Lake Creek, Lobster Creek, North Fork Siuslaw, Drift Creek (Alsea Basin), Drift Creek (Siletz Basin)
Southwest Zone – Applegate River, Elk River, Hunter Creek, Lobster Creek, Pistol River/strong>, Sixes River
Central Zone – Spring Creek, Wychus Creek
Southeast Zone – Deming Creek
Northeast Zone – upper Lostine River
“Oregon is rich in trout fishing opportunities,” said Mike Gauvin, ODFW Recreational Fisheries Program Manager for Inland Fisheries. “There are places where you can get out and have a river all to yourself and there are other places that may be only a mile or two from town. It really boils down to what kind of experience do you want?”
Saturday is the second of two trout “openers” in Oregon. Many water bodies in the state opened for trout fishing on April 26. However, on many other rivers and streams the trout season is delayed until the fourth Saturday in May to limit unintended fishing pressure on juvenile salmon and steelhead as they migrate to the ocean.
For anglers getting ready to hit the water, ODFW offers a lot of information to get started fishing or deciding where to go, including:
- Trout stocking schedules – includes maps showing you how to get to each stocking location
- The Recreation Report – weekly updates from agency experts on the latest fishing conditions
- Trout Fishing in Oregon – how to fish for trout in rivers and lakes
- Easy Angling Oregon – 101 great places for newcomers and families to fish
- Family Fishing Events – bring the whole family, we’ll provide the fish, the gear, and plenty of encouragement
- Local and Regional Guides – 50 places to fish close to Portland, Bend, Roseburg, and Medford
Anglers should check the 2014 Sport Fishing Regulations for gear types, season dates and bag limits and don’t forget the statewide Free Fishing Weekend coming up on June 7-8.
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Contact:
Mike Gauvin, ODFW Salem, (503) 947-6214
Meghan Dugan, ODFW Roseburg, (541) 440-3353
Rick Swart, ODFW Clackamas, (971) 673-6038
Jessica Sall, ODFW Salem, (503) 947-6023
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