Recreation Report for April 18 - Weekend fishing opportunities

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Highlights From The Week's Recreation Report

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Apply early for 2019 big game tags

There’s always a mad rush just before the May 15 application deadline. Why put yourself through that? Whether you’re applying online (have you verified your account?) or at an ODFW office or license agent, apply now for your 2019 hunts. How to apply online

2019 spring turkey hunting forecast

ODFW wildlife biologists offer the latest intell on current conditions and opportunities in their local areas. For in-season updates, be sure to check the weekly Recreation Report. Check out the turkey forecast.

Best bets for weekend fishing, Statewide

Now that things have dried out a bit, water levels and clarity have improve in many waterbodies. Here are just a few of the many weekend opportunities:

  • The Siletz should be in prime shape for the weekend, and steelhead anglers are catching a good mix of wild and hatchery steelhead.

  • The Rogue and Umpqua rivers should be in good shape for steelhead fishing, and there are fish to be caught.

  • With warmer spring temperatures, look for warmwater fishing to pick up in places like Empire and Tenmile lakes.

  • Winter steelhead numbers and fishing conditions on the Clackamas River have picked up. Anglers might even find a few summer steelhead in the mix.

  • Bull trout and kokanee fishing have been good in Lake Billy Chinook, especially the Metolius arm.

  • Trout fishing has been good in Ochoco and Prineville reservoirs.

  • Krumbo Reservoir has been recently stocked and fishing should be good for 8- to 10-inch trout. Though there are larger, holdover trout to tempt the determined angler.

  • There should be a nice mix of holdover and recently-stocked trout in North and South Twin lakes.

Find more details about all the weekend opportunities in the zone reports.

Weekend Fishing Opportunities for the Southeast Region

  • The Wood River, Sprague River and Upper Williamson River open on April 22.

  • Best bet for fishing in the Klamath Basin is Klamath River below JC Boyle Dam.

  • Krumbo Reservoir has been recently stocked and fishing should be good for 8- to 10-inch trout. Though there are larger, holdover trout to tempt the determined angler.

  • Thief Valley Reservoir full, ice-free and stocked with 7,500 legal-size and 500 trophy-size rainbow trout.

  • Phillips Reservoir and the Hwy 203 Pond are scheduled to be stocked the week of April 15.

Area Fishing Report

Klamath River - Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir
native redband trout, rainbow trout, brown trout

Flows are high (2,610 cfs). Water temperatures have increased to 50 F. Access will be challenging due to muddy and snowy roads. Redband trout typically eat a varied diet in this reach. This includes eating large numbers of fathead minnows. Flies and lures that mimic minnows and sculpins work best this time of year. Also, this river has very abundant caddisflies and mayflies. Caddis larvae and pupae patterns work well. There are a large number of redband trout in the 12- to 16-inch size class. Eighteen-inch redband trout are also common.

Wading this stretch is very challenging. ODFW highly recommends wading staff, wading belt, and boots with studs. Wearing polarized glasses can also assist with wading and seeing the bottom substrate.

There have been a few reports of brown trout captured in this reach. If you catch a brown trout please take a picture and report to the Klamath Falls ODFW office at 541-883-5732 ext. 24.

Lost River
largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, Sacramento perch

Open and accessible all year. Fishing for brown bullhead catfish is fair. Access is available off Crystal Springs Road. The bridge crossing the river at Crystal Springs Road has good fishing access. Fishing from the bridge is allowed. The boat dock has been taken out for repairs. The reservoir at Crystal Springs is low as water is being passed through the Lost River Diversion Canal.  

Sevenmile Creek
brook trout, brown trout, redband trout

Open all year. Anglers can access Sevenmile Creek at Nicholson Road and fish upstream of Nicholson Road. Bait is allowed upstream of Nicholson Road. Fishing is best in the beaver dam pools above Nicholson Road. Fishing for brook trout is very slow. Access is challenging due to snow.

Complete Report
For a complete report of area fishing locations visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southeast-zone

Information provided by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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