Fall Chinook is open and picking up in the Salmon River
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-20-2023
Website
Fall Chinook is open and picking up in the Salmon River. Like the rest of the basins, it's still earlier on in the season and with river temps remaining consistently higher it's been a slower start. But the Salmon River estuary is a beautiful place to try!
Reports of fall Chinook being caught have been coming in the past few weeks. The 101 Bridge hole has been a popular spot for bank casting early in the season as hatchery fish start coming back into the basin. Fish have been seen holding below the hatchery and starting to filter into the system. Its definitely been a slower start to the season but as the weeks start to cool down a morning cast may lead to a successful trip.
You can also have some luck throwing a crab pot in the bay, and crabbing is finally starting to pick back up again.
The Salmon River is closed for steelhead; however, the basin is now open to trout. Check out the sea-run cutthroat fishery in the area. You should have a decent chance of catching a trout on the Salmon River.
As a reminder there is no wild coho retention on the Salmon River; although other Mid Coast basins will be opening to wild coho retention. Check your regulations before you head out.
More Reports
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, September 20th, 2023Deschutes River- Lower: Chinook fishing at Sherars has been good the past few weeks
Laurance Lake: Laurance Lake closes to fishing Nov. 1
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Will be stocked again this week with 900 hatchery rainbow trout
Foster Reservoir: The reservoir is still mostly full
Gold Lake: Gold Lake is open for fishing
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level has dropped below the toe-slope of Thistle Creek boat ramp
Henry Hagg Lake: The best time to catch bass during fall is typically early morning or late evening
Quartzville Creek: Currently it is at 15 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,200 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Alsea River: Fall Chinook is open on the Alsea
Nehalem River: Chinook fishing slowed this week
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, September 14th, 2023• Recreational ocean salmon in-season changes between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt.
• ODFW Recreation Report