Portland/Metro Region: Coho Season Winding Down
With coho season coming to a close, Portland-area anglers are facing fewer opportunities close to home. Coho counts at Willamette Falls remain fairly strong, with a couple hundred fish still ascending daily. While some anglers continue to fish upstream of the falls, success rates are dropping, even under ideal water conditions.
It will still be several months before winter steelhead appear in catchable numbers, but sturgeon fishing—particularly catch-and-release—will continue to grow stronger through the colder months.
Some late coho are being hooked downstream of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, though most of the November effort will shift toward the mouth of the Klickitat River, just upstream of Bonneville.
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Clackamas and Sandy Rivers: Wild Coho and Fresh Steelhead
Clackamas River:
Angler turnout has been light in recent days, but wild coho numbers are holding up, giving those on the water solid catch-and-release opportunities. Most of the hatchery fish are now concentrated in Eagle Creek, waiting for entry into the federal hatchery facility.
Although catch rates are modest, anglers are still finding coho near the mouth of Eagle Creek and Dog Creek. The North Fork facility reports around 7,500 early-season coho—a strong figure, even if slightly below last year’s total. Interestingly, this year’s late-run coho are showing up in greater numbers than expected.
Sandy River:
Angler and contributor Jeff Stoeger reports that recent rainfall has created excellent fishing conditions. Nearly 680 coho have arrived at the hatchery, and the river remains productive from there all the way to its mouth.
The river currently sits at 8.57 feet with 45.8°F water temperature. Conditions are shifting toward the ideal “steelhead green” clarity. Persistent anglers, whether from the bank or boat, should see fresh fish entering the system throughout the week.
A reminder for local anglers: parking fees are now required at Lewis and Clark Park and Dabney, so annual passes may be worth the investment.
North & Central Coast: Rain Brings Fresh Movement
Coastal rivers received their first major rainfall of the season, sending tidewater Chinook and coho upstream earlier this week.
While many of these fish have been staging for weeks—making them less desirable for the table—the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers remain top choices for November Chinook fishing. Returns aren’t huge, but they continue to offer some of the highest-quality fish available late in the season.
Elsewhere, the Trask, Nestucca, and Alsea Rivers have produced fair catches of Chinook and some coho (catch-and-release only). The Trask River in particular stood out with stronger results.
On the Siletz River, anglers are reporting a decline in tidewater catches as most fish head upstream to spawn. Drift boaters, however, continue to see steady action.
Ocean opportunities have largely closed for the year—crabbing ended October 15, and Chinook and halibut seasons wrapped up on October 31. Offshore weather hasn’t helped either, and the rockfish limit has been reduced to three per day.
There’s some good news, though: mussel harvesting is now open from Cascade Head to the California border, with toxin levels testing safely below alert thresholds. Always check the ODA Shellfish Safety Hotline (1-800-448-2474) before heading out.
Central and Eastern Oregon: Steelhead, Trout, and Late-Season Lakes
Klickitat River (Columbia mouth):
Late-run coho fishing remains outstanding. Local guides report one of the best years in memory, with most anglers limiting out by late morning. Popular setups include 360 flashers with spinners or plug-cut baits, though some anglers are successfully jigging or hovering with salmon eggs.
Deschutes River:
Fishing is holding strong from the lower river up to Mecca Flat. Steelhead are still being caught, and with lighter angler traffic, success rates remain steady. Trout are feeding aggressively before winter, and nymphing with caddis patterns continues to produce results.
Metolius River:
Fishing remains excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout, and bull trout. With kokanee spawning, egg patterns are highly effective. Anglers should avoid disturbing Chinook spawning sites near Camp Sherman. Productive patterns include golden stonefly, pale morning dun nymphs, and streamers for bull trout.
Crooked River:
Reports show great fall action for trout and whitefish using mayfly and midge nymphs. Anglers might now encounter bull trout migrating upstream; any caught should be released unharmed and reported to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Lakes and Reservoirs:
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Hosmer Lake: Excellent fly fishing for brook and rainbow trout; cooler temps have scattered fish throughout the lake.
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Ochoco Reservoir: 56% full, with great crappie and smallmouth bass fishing. Recent cyanobacteria advisories have been lifted.
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Umatilla River: Coho and steelhead fishing remains productive below Three Mile Falls Dam.
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Willow Creek Reservoir: Producing largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Crappie limits remain at 25 fish per day.
Many trout lakes close after this weekend, including Crane Prairie, Odell, and Wickiup Reservoirs.
Southern Oregon: Rain Ignites Chinook Action
Contributor Jeff Rome reports that recent rains revitalized the Chetco River, sending Chinook upstream and creating early-week excitement for both bank and boat anglers. With more rain expected next week, another surge of activity is likely.
On the Rogue River, summer steelhead catches have improved in the middle and upper stretches, while Chinook action has tapered off downstream. Coho anglers continue to find fish near Huntly Park and Lobster Creek using spinners.
The Elk and Sixes Rivers are nearing prime conditions for Chinook season, pending next week’s rainfall. Meanwhile, the Umpqua River remains closed to Chinook retention but is providing excellent bass fishing across its forks.
For lake anglers, Lost Creek Lake continues to produce quality trout catches, and Selmac Lake is delivering good bass action.
Final Thoughts
As Oregon transitions deeper into November, rain has reshaped river conditions statewide, sparking new runs of steelhead and Chinook while closing out another productive coho season. Anglers can look forward to improving winter steelhead opportunities, strong trout fishing in rivers and select lakes, and the promise of fresh challenges in the weeks ahead.
Whether you’re chasing steelhead in the Sandy, coho in the Klickitat, or trout in the Metolius, now is the perfect time to grab your gear—and maybe your rain jacket—and enjoy one of the most dynamic fishing seasons of the year.
