Idaho Fish Report
Winter steelhead fishing on the Wilson picked up a little last week
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-25-2023
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Winter steelhead fishing on the Wilson picked up a little last week and was fair. Conditions are going to be low and clear this week. Stealthy tactics, light line and subtle terminal presentations can increase the odds of success is these conditions. Low water is also a good time to use lures that entice a territorial bite. Lastly, concentrate on deep pools and choppy water that provide cover. There are hatchery and wild steelhead (catch and release only for wilds) throughout the system.
The Wilson River is one of the North Coast most popular winter steelhead rivers and gets one of our largest hatchery releases. Hatchery winter steelhead on the Wilson are from wild broodstock; as such they tend to mimic wild steelhead timing and there are hatchery steelhead available December through early April. The Wilson has several good drift boat stretches and some good bank access along Hwy 6.
Cutthroat trout fishing in streams will reopen May 22, 2023.
Wilson River levels and predictions are available here.
More Reports
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, January 25th, 2023Chetco River: Steelhead fishing has been slow, boat anglers are faring the bes
Coos River: Steelhead anglers have been catching a few hatchery winter steelhead
Coquille River: The mainstem Coquille has been running high and muddy
Elk River: Elk River is Low and Clear
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is now at 40 percent full
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie has started to fill and is at 16 percent full
Rogue River- Lower: Fishing pressure has slowed as flows have dropped
Rogue River - Middle: Current flow is around 1,600 cfs and temperature in the low-40s F
Rogue River- Upper: The first three winter steelhead showed up to the hatchery two weeks ago
Sixes River: Flows have dropped and the river has cleared up
Winchuck River: Winchuck is Low and Clear
Alsea River: Winter steelhead are throughout the Alsea system
Necanicum River: Necanicum is Low and Clear This Week
Nehalem River: The Nehalem should be in prime shape this weekend
Nehalem River- North Fork: Fishing on the North Fork Nehalem has been slow but there are hatchery steelhead in the river
Nestucca River: The Nestucca River is in pretty good shape after running high for the past several weeks
Salmon River: Winter steelhead are in the Salmon River
Siletz River: Winter steelhead are showing up in the Siletz River
Trask River: The Trask is going to be low and clear this week
Yaquina River: Fishing has been challenging the past few weeks but it’s starting to pick up
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Flows have come down significantly
Santiam River (South Fork): A few late summer steelhead are all that is available for anglers at this time of year
Sandy River: Fresh winter steelhead
Crooked River: Steelhead have begun entering the Crooked River basin
Prinevile Reservoir: Much of the reservoir is ice-covered
Imnaha River: Imnaha River Fishing Report
Wallowa Lake : We have had some recent reports that ice has begun to form around the edges
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