Winter steelhead fishing has begun on the Alsea River. A few fresh winter steelhead have been caught in the lower river and more fish will continue to move in with the upcoming rain events. The Alsea River is known for its early returning component that usually gets going around Thanksgiving weekend. Expect fishing to pick up as we get later into November and early December with each rise in the river levels. The popular NF Alsea fishery does not open until Dec. 1. Bobber fishing with jigs/bait and casting lures are all effective ways to catch these hard fighting fish.

Note, when fishing for winter steelhead remember to practice good ethics and leave spawning Chinook and coho salmon alone so they can provide fish for the future.

Due to lower than expected returns and conservation concerns, fall Chinook fishing is closed on the Alsea upstream of the Five Rivers bridge. Below the deadline the bag limit for fall Chinook is reduced to one adult Chinook per day and a limit of 3 from Nov. 1 through the remainder of the season. Very few fish are being caught below the deadline and fishing continues to be very slow. Steelhead fishing is still open in the closed chinook areas.

All wild coho must be released during the 2018 fall salmon season.