NESTUCCA BASIN (Nestucca, Three Rivers, and Little Nestucca):

It’s early and most fish during the early part of the run will be in the estuary and the lower river below Three Rivers. There is also a modest hatchery summer steelhead run on the Nestucca and those fish should start coming in this month as well. (And in the author’s opinion, they are not far behind springers for table fare). No new reports this week, but there should be hatchery Spring Chinook in the system.

A portion of the Nestucca’s spring Chinook and summer steelhead runs return to Three Rivers. It’s still pretty early for them to be moving into the tributary, but with the good flows we’ve had there could be a few moving in.

The Little Nestucca River also has a hatchery spring Chinook release, and although it is a modest number, we have been seeing decent returns from it the past few seasons. There is some good access in tidewater and on the lower river. There should be fish moving into the river by now. Last updated 5/10/23.

Three Rivers: Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction May 1 – July 15. Leader length must be between 18 and 36 inches and only one single point hook 3/8 inch gap or less. (See Anti-Snagging Gear Restriction Rules on page 18 of the regulation book.)

River levels and predictions for the Nestucca are available here.

REMINDER: The Nestucca River above Moon Creek closed April 1 to protect spawning wild steelhead and out-migrating juveniles.

Cutthroat trout fishing in streams will reopen May 22, 2023.