Fish Report
McKenzie River Fishing Report
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
7-29-2021
Website
MCKENZIE RIVER below Leaburg Lake (R1):
Will be stocked again this week with 2,000 legal-size rainbow trout.
The Leaburg Dam fish counts are a great spring salmon and summer steelhead resource, and information is back online. Counts are updated by the Corps of Engineers weekly. These resources are most useful to anglers from May – September.
All non-adipose fin-clipped trout must be released unharmed. Check page 46 of the 2021 Sport Fishing Regulations for bait restrictions in the segment you plan to fish. Beginning Nov. 1, anglers may only use lures and artificial flies.
The lower McKenzie River is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped salmon and steelhead and non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead greater than 24 inches long. A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the McKenzie.
MCKENZIE RIVER above Leaburg Lake (R2):
Will be stocked again this week with 833 legal-size rainbow trout.
Important reminder: When boating, treat this section of river like it is the first time you have been on it! Currently, there are still considerable fire-related cleanup efforts being conducted in this area.
Status of boat ramps in the upper McKenzie:
- Forest Glen Boat Ramp – Open.
- Finn Rock Boat Ramp – Open.
- Silver Creek – Open. TAKE OUT! Or you have to go through Martin Rapids.
- Rennie – Not open, but could pull out in an emergency.
- Marten Rapids class III rapids. Take out at Silver Creek.
- Helfrich Landing-Open.
All non-adipose fin-clipped trout must be released unharmed. Bait is allowed from Leaburg Dam to Forest Glen Boat Ramp from April 22 – Oct 31.