Conditions have been low and clear
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
3-1-2023
Website
Beginning Jan. 1, all steelhead anglers will need to be in possession of the new Rogue South Coast Steelhead Validation to fish the Illinois River. Anglers choosing to harvest a wild winter steelhead will also need to have in possession a new Wild Steelhead Harvest Tag, as well. One wild fish per day, 3 per year can be harvested on the new wild harvest tag.
Wild winter steelhead over 24 inches may be retained between Klondike Creek and Pomeroy Dam Jan. 1 – Mar. 31. The river is closed to all fishing from Fall Creek (the creek just upstream of the swinging bridge off Illinois River Road) to 400 feet above Illinois Falls.
Conditions have been low and clear. Dial back the size and bright colors of presentations. Target fish in holding water such as deeper pools or rocky structure. Much of the publicly accessible reaches of the Illinois River fall under the USFS Wild Rivers Ranger District. More information can be found on their website. For up-to-date flows check the USGS Kerby gauge.
More Reports
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, March 1st, 2023
Wallowa River: When water levels have come up a bit from winter lows
Quartzville Creek: Flows are in relatively good shape for winter, about 240 cfs
Santiam River ( North Fork) : River is currently running around 1,530 cfs at the gauge in Mehama
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,400 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Alsea River: NF Alsea fishery is open and steady with fishing conditions
Necanicum River: The Necanicum will remain low and clear again this week
Nehalem River: The upper reaches of the Nehalem should be fishable through the week
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem remains low and clear for another week
Nestucca River: Fishing slowed on the Nestucca this past week, mostly due to the challenging weather
Salmon River: The river is low and clear and fishing pressure has been consistent
Siletz River: Road conditions are hazardous particularly in the upper portion of the gorge
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead are moving throughout the Siuslaw River
Trask River: The river should be fishable and in decent shape throughout the week
Ben Irving Reservoir: Trout fishing can be tough
Chetco River: Rain this week has improved fishing conditions
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Trout fishing may be good on warmer days
Coquille River: The Coquille Basin steelhead rivers continue to run fairly low and clear
Diamond Lake: There have been recent reports of folks fishing on the ice and catching fish
Galesville Reservoir: Galesville water levels have recovered although it’s not yet full
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Monday, February 27th, 2023
• Offshore longleader gear fishery bag limit increases to 15 fish per day beginning March 1
• Longleader gear fishery bag limit increasing to 15 fish per day beginning March 1