Green Peter Reservoir continues to fill. Boaters are picking up some kokanee near the surface, though bank anglers don’t seem to be doing as well.
Some chinook in the 9- to 14-inch range are also being caught. Green Peter was stocked with rainbow trout on May 5.
Foster Reservoir has been stocked several times this season, with another stocking scheduled for May 12, and anglers have been doing well trolling for rainbow trout. The reservoir has been drawn down to facilitate out migration of juvenile steelhead, but the lake will refill in mid-May to be ready for the Memorial Day weekend. The best choice for launching at this lake level is at Sunnyside Boat Ramp.
Stream flows in the South Santiam have been relatively stable for the last few weeks but will be fluctuating with rain and snowmelt. Passage of fish over Willamette Falls has been slow but steady. New summer steelhead are starting to come in decent numbers and have been showing in the catch. Chinook will start to move better when the water gets a little warmer.
In the ocean, the Pacific halibut season opened on May 1. The nearshore season (inside 40 fathoms) for the central coast (from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain) is open seven days a week. The first all-depth opener is May 8-10. For the Columbia River area (from Leadbetter Point, Wash., to Cape Falcon) the fishery is open seven days a week until the 13,133-pound quota is met or July 20. South of Humbug Mountain the season opens May 1, seven days a week, through Oct. 31. Specific dates and regulations are on-line at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/.
Ocean anglers have been having good success catching near limits of lingcod and rockfish. Cabezon are also biting well.
The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area approximately 15 miles west of Newport is closed to the harvest of rockfish, lingcod, flatfish and others. In addition, the ocean is closed outside of the 40-fathom line (defined by waypoints) April 1 through Sept. 30 for lingcod; flatfish (except P. halibut during authorized seasons); and rockfish, greenling, cabezon, skates and other bottom-dwelling species.
Complete regulations and waypoints for the Stonewall Bank YRCA and 40-fathom line are on-line at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2008_Sport_Ocean_Regulations.pdf of from license vendors and ODFW offices. Seasons and regulations for marine fish other than salmon and Pacific halibut are the same as in 2007.
Ocean salmon seasons do not open until June. For a summary of the ocean salmon seasons off the Oregon coast go to: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2008_Sport_Ocean_Regulations.pdf
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In the mood for some firearm action? The Albany Rifle and Pistol Club is holding its Saddle Butte Machine Gun Shoot Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, at the club, 2999 Saddle Butte Road in Shedd.
Hours are 9 to 4 both days and admission is $10, but kids under 12 (as well as club members) are admitted free. Food is available. All NFA rules apply.
For information, call (541) 619-0038.
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The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Northwest Steelheaders and Linn County Parks Department will host a free youth fishing event at Sunnyside Park Pond near Sweet Home from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
The event is part of ODFW’s Youth Angling Enhancement Program, designed to introduce young people to the fun of fishing. The department will provide rods, reels, tackle, bait and fish bags for use by young anglers who do not have their own fishing equipment.
In addition, ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand to help participants learn how to bait a hook, cast a rod and land the catch.
“While the focus may be on the kids, we encourage parents or grandparents to spend the day with them and turn this into a family activity,” said Wayne Hunt, ODFW fish biologist.
In order to increase the fun factor, the pond will be stocked with 1,650 legal-sized rainbow trout, including 150 fish weighing between one and 1 1/2 pounds. The fish are being provided by the Blue Den Ranch near Scio and the ODFW Roaring River Hatchery.
Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers aged 13 and under are not required to have a license, while those 14-17 must have a juvenile license. All fishing regulations continue to apply for this event.
This event has been widely advertised, so the early birds may get the worms – er, fish.
Sunnyside Park is located on Quartzville Road at the north end of Foster Lake, just east of Sweet Home. For more information, call Marv Antrim at (541) 926-9826.
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Speaking of kids and the outdoors, May 31 is Youth Outdoor Day, at the EE Wilson Wildlife Area in Monmouth.
This popular annual event lets kids try a variety of outdoor activities (fly tying and casting, elk/duck/predator calling, archery) and learn about wilderness survival, hunter safety, boating safety and a variety of other topics.
The kids can even build their own woodduck box and bird house. Cost is $5 and includes a BBQ lunch and t-shirt. The event is sponsored by Oregon Duck Hunters, OHA and several other sportsmen/conservation organizations.
You must pre-register as the limit is 750 kids and 450 had already signed up last week. Click on PDF registration form to register or visit Youth Outdoor Day Web page for more info.
For women, A Day at the Range is being held May 24 at the Emerald Empire Gun Club (Eugene-Springfield), part of the A Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Event series.
This workshop is designed for beginning shooters, but all skill levels are welcome. Participants will be instructed on gun handling, firearm safety, terminology, shooting techniques and marksmanship. You will have lots of time on the range to practice with a variety of handguns, rifles, and shotguns under experienced supervision. For more information, contact Michelle Dennehy at (503) 947-6022.
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Silver Falls State Park Mother’s Day, Birding and Wildflower Weekend will be held May 9-11. The event includes bird and plant/wildflower displays in the South Falls Lodge and Log Cabin, native plant and bird box sales, Mother’s Day cards and journal making, and bird nest box building (cost $5).