Winter steelhead arriving in Oregon rivers; here’s where to find them

Winter steelhead can be tricky this time of year, due to the mixture of water that always seems too high or too low and clear.

But winter steelhead are arriving in Oregon’s rivers, especially in coastal rivers. The best bet is to target times after a good rain, once water levels start to drop.

Here’s a look at the state of steelhead around Oregon, via the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recreation report.

Alsea River

Winter steelhead has picked up throughout the river. Recent rains have moved fish throughout the river. A mix of wild and hatchery fish are being caught. Casting spinners, drifting bait or using a bobber and jig can be effective.

Big Creek

Winter steelhead are showing up; fishing is generally best after a good rain as Big Creek drops. Big Creek hatchery has gotten about 450 winter steelhead back this season.

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Chetco River

Steelhead fishing has been fair. Rain is expected by the weekend, which should improve fishing conditions. Plunking will be good as flows drop and the river clears.   

Clackamas River

Keep an eye on weather and river forecasts/readings as the rivers will be going up, which usually brings in the first good push of steelhead into local rivers. Water temperatures likely will plunge later in the week with heavy snow in the mountains and cool daytime/evening air temperatures. Let the river warm on these days as fish tend to be lethargic and slow to bite early in the morning. Peak entry of Clackamas hatchery winter steelhead tends to occur in mid-late February and that is just around the corner so sharpen those hooks, change your leaders and get ready!

Good bank access can be found in many locations along the river from Gladstone, Cross Park, Riverside Park, along Clackamas River Road, Carver, Barton and McIver parks. Clackamas River Drive closely follows the river below Carver Park, but be sure to not trespass on private property. If you have a drift boat, you can put in at Riverside Park, Carver Park, Barton Park, Feldheimer’s off Springwater Road and at both lower and upper McIver Park ramps.

Eagle Creek

The Eagle Creek winter steelhead season is underway, and with a number of winters already caught in the Clackamas, there’s a good chance some fish have made it into the creek. There was some fairly good fishing effort along the creek this past weekend so either the word is out of fish being hooked or everybody seems to think it’s only a matter of time.

Kilchis River

The Kilchis should be fishable throughout the week, and fishing has been fair. There are fish available, and a few caught, but there don’t seem to be high numbers in the river yet. The Kilchis normally fishes better later into February and March, as long as flows don’t get too low.

Necanicum River

Steelhead fishing was fair to good on the Necanicum River last weekend as the river dropped after the rains. There are fish available throughout the system, and we are seeing fish caught consistently. Float fishing jigs, beads or bait. Drift fishing, nymphing and swinging flies or spinners are all good techniques, too.

Nestucca River

There is another weather system moving in this week, and it looks like the Nestucca is going to bump up to less than ideal fishing conditions, but might fish better late in the week. Keep an eye on conditions. Bright colors and large presentation, as well as scent or bait are good bets when fishing high water. This is a great time of year to fish the Nestucca, as there are early-run hatchery fish still around, as well as broodstock hatchery fish starting to show up.

Rogue River

A few winter steelhead are being picked up by anglers plunking Spin-n-Glos. Boat anglers are starting to catch more steelhead. Most fish are being caught while boats are anchored up and running plugs waiting for steelhead to move up river. Boat anglers side drifting eggs in the Agness area also are picking up some fish. 

Sandy River

Peak entry of Sandy hatchery winter steelhead is just around the corner so be prepared to get back out on the water after high-water events later this week. The best fishing of the season likely will be during the month of February and early March. Sandy hatchery winter steelhead are integrated with wild winter steelhead in the Sandy so they have similar run timing as wild fish (same on the Clackamas).  

Anglers can find bank access to the Sandy River in several areas from Troutdale up to Brightwood. Lewis and Clark Park, Dabney Park, Oxbow Park and Dodge Park all offer good spots for bank fishing as well as having boat ramps if you have a drift boat or sled.

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Siletz River

Winter steelhead has picked up throughout the river. Recent rains have moved fish throughout the river. A mix of wild and hatchery fish are being caught. Casting spinners, drifting bait or using a bobber and jig can be effective. Note: The 3.5-mile bridge in the Siletz gorge is still closed to motorized vehicles. Walking or biking in beyond the bridge is still open.

Lower Umpqua River

Fishing has been hit or miss. There seem to be a few pods of steelhead moving through, and the rain should help move them even more. With a lot of rain in the forecast, the main may not be good for drift fishing but could be good for plunking this weekend.

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