Montana Fish Report
Winter steelhead fishing is slow, but early returns seem to be above the 10-year average
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
2-11-2026
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Winter steelhead fishing is slow, but early returns seem to be above the 10-year average. With some rain recently, Steelhead are moving again. This is the peak month for movement across Winchester dam. So, as water conditions improve, so will the angling success. Try a clearer leader as the fish become more leader shy in the clearer water conditions.
Spring Chinook seasons were announced recently. Anglers may retain one wild adult Chinook per day and 10 for the season through June 30.
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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, February 11th
Ben Irving Reservoir: Until spring conditions return, angling will be slow for warmwater fishes
Cooper Creek Reservoir: The water does have some color
Diamond Lake: With the unseasonable weather, the lake has started to thaw
Galesville Reservoir: The boat ramps are still accessible. The reservoir is about 40 feet lower than summer full pool
Lake Marie: Lake Marie receives only a little pressure this time of year
Lemolo Lake: Lemolo is drawn down for the winter
Loon Lake: The Loon Lake Lodge ramp is open April through October 31
Smith River: Winter steelhead fishing is slow
Umpqua River: Winter steelhead are being caught throughout the mainstem
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Tuesday, February 10thGrande Ronde River: Fishing for steelhead has been good with the lower river levels
Imnaha River: Steelhead fishing has been good in the lower portion of the river
Wallowa River: Trout and whitefish can be caught on a variety of baits, lures, and flies
EE Wilson Angling Pond: Was stocked last week with 1,400 trout
Foster Reservoir: The reservoir elevation has dropped down to its winter low-water level
Santiam River ( North Fork) : The river is currently running at around 2,700 cfs at the gage in Mehama
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Currently, flows are around 1,000 cfs
Santiam River (South Fork): Flows are currently at around 1,260 cfs at the gage in Waterloo
Kilchis River: The Kilchis will remain low and clear this week
Necanicum River: The hatchery steelhead run on the Necanicum River is slowing down
Nehalem River: Winter steelhead are throughout the Nehalem River fishery
Nehalem River- North Fork: Winter steelhead fishing on the North Fork Nehalem has remained fair this past week
Three Rivers: Three Rivers has winter steelhead coming back and fishing has been fair
Trask River: Winter steelhead fishing is fair on the Trask
Wilson River: The Wilson River has fish throughout the fishery and has been fair to good this week for steelhead fishing
Agate Lake: Agate Lake is still at 37 percent full
Applegate Reservoir: The lake level is 1,898 ft and the surface temperature at Applegate is 43F
Applegate River: The Applegate River is open for hatchery trout and winter steelhead
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant Lake is 34 percent full
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 63 percent full
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 7 percent full and partially frozen around the shore
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is 78 percent full
Illinois River: Water levels have come up after last weekend's rain
Lake Selmac: There will be 5,000 legal-size rainbow trout stocked at Selmac this week
Rogue River - Middle: River conditions finally changed and came up after last week's rain
Rogue River- Upper: The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 1,250cfs and 42F
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Fishing is available all year above Lost Creek Lake but snow has started to limit access