The Illinois saw two really nice bumps in flow over the last 3 days

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

The Illinois saw two really nice bumps in flow over the last 3 days.  The river crested above 2,000 cfs on Match 15 and is now dropping nicely. This should have gotten fish moving and improved the water clarity. Spoons have been the top producer based on recent angler interviews. 

Anglers are reminded that no bait is allowed on the Illinois River, and soft plastic imitations of eggs or worms are considered bait. Hence, leave your rubber pink worms or soft beads at home.

Illinois downstream of Pomeroy Dam is open to fishing for steelhead and trout, but closed year-round to salmon fishing. Upstream of Pomeroy Dam and all tributaries are also closed year-round. All fishing is closed from Fall Creek to 400 feet above Illinois Falls (just above Swinging Bridge). Fall creek is the first creek upstream of the swinging bridge (accessed via road NF-087).  If you suspect illegal activity, please call OSP or the local ODFW District Office.

Trout fishing is mostly catch-and-release for wild trout as there is no hatchery on the Illinois system. 

Wild steelhead may be retained between Klondike Creek to Fall Creek and from 400 feet above Illinois Falls, upstream to Pomeroy Dam. Wild steelhead must be at least 24 inches long to harvest and the bag limit is 1 per day/3 per year in aggregate for the Southwest Zone rivers where wild steelhead harvest is allowed (consult SW Zone regulations).  

There is also good bank access along the Illinois River Rd. outside of Selma, all the way downstream to Miami Bar and Briggs Creek. Expect to hike to some of the better fishing spots. Please park outside of the white lines to keep roads clear. Do your part and pack out what you pack in, as well as someone else’s trash. There is trash service available at the Siskiyou Field Institute outside of Selma. 8-dollar road, just north of Kerby, also has good public access, but make sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle.

Much of the publicly accessible reaches of the Illinois River fall under the USFS Wild Rivers Ranger District. More information can be found on their website. For up-to-date flows check the USGS Kerby gauge.

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Brownlee Reservoir: Brownlee Reservoir is 35 ft. below full pool
Imnaha River: Mid-March through mid-April often is one of the best periods for steelhead fishing
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake has had ice on in throughout the latter part of the winter
Crooked River: The Crooked River remains low, so anglers might look for trout in deeper waters
Lake Billy Chinook: Fishing is off to a good start since the lake opened on March 1
Metolius River: March can be a good month for fishing on the Metolius
Pine Hollow Reservoir:  The reservoir is schedule to be stocked later this month
Prinevile Reservoir: Trout fishing continues to be good near the dam
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked this week for the first time this season
Detroit Reservoir: Currently the reservoir water level is about 70 feet above the bottom of Mongold boat ramp
Dexter Reservoir: Will be stocked again this week
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Green Peter Reservoir: This reservoir is slowly filling again
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir will be stocked this week
Junction City Pond: The pond was stocked last week
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,900 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Timber Linn Lake: It will be stocked this week
Waverly Lake: This lake was stocked last week
Willamette River: Catch estimates, below Willamette Falls to mouth
Alsea River: Winter steelhead fishing improved after the recent rain
Necanicum River: The hatchery winter steelhead run on the Necanicum River is done
Nehalem River: The Nehalem came up early this week but will be dropping until Saturday morning
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem should be fishable throughout the week
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is just a little on the high side
Siletz River: Winter steelhead fishing on the Siletz slowed down last week
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead fishing continues to be steady on the Siuslaw
Trask River: The Trask is a little high but fishable
Wilson River: The Wilson is fishable
Gerber Reservoir: Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir. Bank access is good
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is 2.5 feet below full pool and 60 percent full
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Fishing Report
Phillips Reservoir: As the weather continues to warm and the ice melts more
Pilcher Reservoir: The ice around the edge of Pilcher Reservoir has been thin making access difficult
Thief Valley Reservoir: Recently, the ice around the edges of Thief Valley Reservoir has melted
Unity Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports
Wolf Creek Reservoir: The ice around the edge of Wolf Creek Reservoir recently has been thin
Agate Lake: Agate has received 3,000 legal rainbow trout since Feb. 14
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Fishing Report
Sixes River: Current fishing conditions are good
Saunders Lake: Saunders Lake was stocked earlier this month
Rogue River- Upper: Best bets for the upper river would be concentrating on the area between Shady Cove and Touvelle
Rogue River - Middle: This last weekend saw anglers catching a mix of fresh winter fish and down runner summer steelhead
Rogue River- Lower: Fishing conditions are good
Pistol River: Fishing conditions are currently great
Lost Creek Lake: There should also be some very good holdover fish available
Lake Selmac: Bluegill fishing from shore will be fair with the water temps still pretty chilly
Howard Prairie Reservoir: There is some open water, but access is limited
Galesville Reservoir: The boat ramp is just usable and anglers are taking advantage of it
Elk River: Later season steelhead fishing can be excellent on the Elk
Diamond Lake: Warmer temperatures may start to melt the ice, but anglers have been out fishing and doing fairly well
Cooper Creek Reservoir: The first stocking of trout is scheduled for next week
Chetco River: Recent rainfall has brought the river levels up
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Sunday, March 13th, 2022


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