Montana Fish Report

Spring Chinook fishing in the river has slowed with the low flows, but there should be some fish stacking up in the estuary for the same reason.

The Little Nestucca also gets a release of hatchery spring Chinook and they are in the river at least as far as Stella Falls.

Summer steelhead continue to return to the Nestucca River and should be throughout the fishery (up to Elk Creek). Light float fishing set ups with terminal baits like beads, jigs or small natural baits, as well as casting spoons or spinners can be effective. Early morning and late evening will be the best times to fish, although if there's good cloud cover or a little rain fish may stay on the bite more of the day.

Trout season opened in the Nestucca basin on May 22nd. There are resident cutthroat throughout the fishery and sea-run cutthroat should be starting to move into the river over July. Many areas have bait restrictions in place so check the regulations for those and open areas before heading out.