Idaho Fish Report

Coho salmon crossings at Willamette Falls are steadily increasing, pushing up to 300 fish a day in some cases. In the past two weeks, more than 5,600 adult coho moved into the upper Willamette, with daily crossings in many instances well into triple digits. Popular locations to target coho salmon are at the confluences of the Willamette and the Tualatin, Yamhill and Molalla rivers.

The summer steelhead counts are dropping off precipitously but fair numbers have already returned to the South and North Santiam rivers, the McKenzie River and the Middle Fork of the Willamette River below Dexter Dam. 

Warmwater fishing remains as a viable option for anglers in the lower Willamette as does catch-and-release white sturgeon fishing, which can be good this time of year.

Further upstream, the section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Anglers may keep two trout per day. Smallmouth bass fishing can be excellent between Salem and Albany starting in May.

Hydrological data for the Willamette at Willamette Falls on Sept. 28 showed flows at 9,090 cfs, visibility at 7.6 ft., and a water temperature holding at 62 degrees.