High, brown water on the Umpqua River system from the recent week of rain has slowed the steelhead fishing during the middle of this week. Fishing success on the upper mainstem, the North Umpqua and the South Umpqua had been good until this recent week of rain and if the showers slow, fishing could be good again this weekend.

A few anglers are fishing the high water by “plunking” with weight and bait from the bank. The fish tend to swim closer to the shoreline where the current isn’t as strong during high water.

Some boats got back on the water today in the Canyonville area of the South Umpqua.

The fish count taken at Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua reported a 400 winter steelhead day about a week ago. That’s a higher than average daily count.

A few spring chinook have been reported caught in the mainstem Umpqua downriver from Elkton. That run of fish is gradually working its way upriver.

Several county ponds and lakes were also stocked this week with catchable trout in anticipation of increased fishing during next week’s spring vacation for students.

Following is the weekly Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing report that is compiled by regional fisheries biologists.

<b>Southwest Region</b>

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR — Ben Irving Reservoir, west of Winston, was stocked last week with about 2,000 catchable trout and will be stocked again the week of March 17.

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR — Cooper Creek has been stocked with about 3,000 catchable trout to date. The reservoir also receives 50 or so 4 to 5 pound trophy trout each February. One lucky angler caught a 9 pound trout out of Cooper Creek that was probably left over from a year ago. Nearby Plat I reservoir has also been stocked with about 1,500 catchable trout this month. A cold front is moving in later this week which may slow down the bite, but hopefully fishing will improve for spring break.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN — ODFW did not hear any reports from the Coquille over the last weekend with the water level too high for most anglers. We are nearing the end of the steelhead season but good fish could still be available, particularly after river conditions come back from the recent high levels.

DIAMOND LAKE — The lake is closed to fishing until April 26.

ELK/SIXES RIVER — Steelhead fishing has slowed in both rivers as most of the steelhead are spawning. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather and look for some new fish to enter the rivers on the next freshet.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR — Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. So far this month, Galesville has been stocked with an additional 3,500 catchable size trout, so fishing should be good for spring break. The 25,000 sub-legal size trout stocked last fall are approaching legal size. Some anglers report seeing external “worms” on a few of the trout or in their gills. These are copepods, a fish parasite, which occur naturally throughout the watershed. The copepods can be removed and the fish safely consumed.

HERBERT’S POND — The pond has a good warm water fishery for kids including bluegill, crappie, and bass. The pond was stocked with a couple hundred trout to provide some additional fishing opportunity while the pond is still cool enough to keep the trout healthy. The pond has very good bank access. Fishing should be good for spring break.

LOON LAKE — Loon Lake was stocked with about 2,000 catchable trout last week and received another stocking of catchable trout this week. In addition, there were almost 6,000 sub-legal trout stock last fall that should be approaching 8 inches for legal harvest.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES — Late winter/early spring is the best time for surfperch fishing from the beaches. The best areas are generally the steeper beaches. Anglers should cast into the surf with enough weight to hold your setup from moving with the current. Sand shrimp is a common and effective bait but others can work well also.

Bottom fishing is generally good in the winter when the water conditions are calm. A few anglers have made trips and reported good fishing. Anglers should be cautious of the ocean and bar conditions which can change quickly.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR — Soda Springs reservoir is open for trout angling, but tributaries upstream of the reservoir are closed to angling until April 26.

SMITH RIVER — The Smith is currently open for adipose-fin clipped steelhead from the mouth upstream to Sisters Creek on the mainstem and the North Fork Smith from the mouth upstream to Bridge 10. Good numbers of stripers have recently been sighted in the North Fork of the Smith River. Striped bass season is open year round, 2 fish per 24 hours, 30-inch minimum size. The North Fork is open to Johnson Creek for stripers.

TOKETEE LAKE — Fishing is open in Toketee all year round. Fishing has been slow but the best fishing occurs early in the morning.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS — The high cascade lakes are open year-round.

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM — Good numbers of fish are being caught throughout the mainstem by bank anglers. The river is also fishable by boat, however, heavy rains are predicted for late this week which could change conditions. Remember the mainstem Umpqua is now closed to wild steelhead harvest; it remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Spring chinook have started coming up the Umpqua and a nice 31 pound springer was harvested two weeks ago about 4 miles below Elkton. From Scottsburg to Elkton tends to be the best angling for the early spring chinook.

The North has remained fishable. The North may continue fishable this week despite the rain because of the drop in elevation for the snow level. The most success has been from Colliding Rivers down. The warmer weather has gotten the fish on the move. There have been days when over 300 steelhead have passed Winchester Dam. As of the first part of March, over 5,200 steelhead have passed Winchester Dam. This puts the count to date at the third highest this decade. Remember that only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested on the North Umpqua.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH — Angling conditions have been good recently although a storm front might move in later this week. The new front may drop the water temperatures and slow the bite. Hatchery fish have started to move into the South Umpqua and some nice sized fish are being caught. In addition to several good drift boat floats between Canyonville and Roseburg, there are good bank angling opportunities at Templeton Beach, the Myrtle Creek bridge, Stanton Park, and behind Seven Feathers Casino. Remember the South Umpqua is open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead only.

WINCHESTER BAY — Fishing remains slow, although spring chinook should start arriving soon.

RECREATIONAL SHELLFISH — The entire Oregon coast is open for recreational shellfishing. Check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

Crabbing is fair with a few soft crabs showing up in the catch. Crabbers are encouraged to return soft crabs with little meat back to the water. The Coos Bay shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.