All of the hatchery steelhead for the Nehalem basin are released in the North Fork, making the mainstem a mostly wild steelhead river. Steelhead should be throughout the system by now, and will be through early April. This is a large river and will fish best when other North Coast Rivers are getting low.

The Nehalem crested at just over 7 feet after this weekend’s rains, but is predicted to go up another foot Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. It is muddy now and may be high and slightly off color by the weekend, although it will be on the drop. There are wild steelhead throughout the system. Please remember to handle wild fish with care and release them back into the water as quickly as possible.

Trout fishing in streams will reopen May 22, 2019.