Nehalem River- North Fork Fish Report

The North Fork Nehalem hatchery is getting hatchery winter steelhead back and fishing has been fair

Nehalem River- North Fork - Hamlet, OR

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
12-9-2025
Website

The North Fork Nehalem hatchery is getting hatchery winter steelhead back and fishing has been fair. It is blown out today but should be back in shape by the weekend (check conditions before heading out) and there should be steelhead throughout the fishery.For those wanting to get an early winter steelhead the North Fork provides one of the best opportunities.

Hatchery coho are also still returning to the North Fork Nehalem and while many fish are getting dark, there will still be some fish in good condition well into December. There were still some nice hatchery fish observed last week.

Fall Chinook season closed December 1st. There is no retention or angling for Chinook salmon allowed the rest of the year.

More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports

for Tuesday, December 9th

Applegate Reservoir: Trout fishing should be good throughout the reservoir
Applegate River: The Applegate River is open for hatchery trout fishing
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant Lake is 20 percent full and the boat ramp may be difficult to use at this level
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is 60 percent full
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is 78 percent full
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is 73 percent full
Illinois River: The Illinois River is open for trout and steelhead fishing using flies and lures only
Medco Pond: Try a bobber and small jig for bluegill and crappie
Rogue River- Lower: Low and clear
Rogue River - Middle: Summer steelhead and coho are throughout the Middle Rogue
Rogue River- Upper: The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 1,150cfs
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): No major snowpack yet
Kilchis River: It is still early for winter steelhead on the Kilchis River
Necanicum River: The Necanicum River gets a run of early returning hatchery winter steelhead and are off to a good start
Nehalem River: The mainstem Nehalem is at flood stage and this large basin takes a long time to drop and clear

Commercial crab season begins Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border

12-5-2025
Newport, Ore. – Oregon's commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border, the Oregon...... Read More