Western Oregon Coastal Lakes are Producing some Great Catches of Beefy-Sized Rainbow Trout

As we wait for Spring Chinook to arrive in better numbers on the big coastal systems including the Rogue & Umpqua Rivers, it’s fun to fill the time & coolers with a mess of chunky hatchery trout that ODFW has released in a variety of scenic lakes. The migration of Springers over Willamette Falls into the Upper Willamette System has been slow due to cool water temperatures and heavy river flow rates. This could all change drastically very soon as prevailing weather patterns trend toward milder temperatures and lower rainfall. Fish counts at Willamette Falls may be surprisingly different in just a week two.