"Spring" "Time" "March" Predictions

Time marches forward into spring of 2024. It is time for the annual UmpquaFish.com predictions for springtime viewing of our LiveCam. The next few weeks is usually when over 25% of the winter steelhead population will continue their forward migration to their spawning homewaters destination in the North Umpqua. Our first prediction is the count will reach over 6000 fish and could end up being the highest return in the past few years. Secondly, the first "spring chinook" will be seen in the viewing window in the next couple weeks. Be looking for this leader of many more of this species to follow when the water temperature nears the 50-degree mark. You could be eligible for a prize from the Derby when you send in a time-stamped photo from the live-streaming video. The third prediction is guaranteed to happen this weekend..the clock on the wall will return to "realtime" for about 6 months and we will thankfully receive fewer questions about if the fish see the time is off by an hour as some fish appear to look at it sometimes.

Historic Low Water Levels on the North Umpqua River Continue

Historic Low Water Levels on the North Umpqua River Continue

Yes, the current North Umpqua River flow is at a historic lowest level. No significant rainfall is predicted for the next several days.

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Umpqua Fish

Powerhouse Electric Joins Hatchery Rebuild Project

Powerhouse Electric Joins Hatchery Rebuild Project

Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby teams up with Powerhouse Electric to help the North Umpqua River Spring Chinook program at Rock Creek Hatchery as part of the rebuild hatchery project.

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Umpqua Fish

First Spring Chinook Appears on March 24th

First Spring Chinook Appears on March 24th

March was another great month for fish returning to the North Umpqua River. Not only did 4,000 winter steelhead pass upstream to add to the current total count of over 10,000, a few early spring chinook migrated through the fish ladder. The first one was a beautiful large fish and arrived on March 24th. This springer will find a quiet, deep pool in the river to hold during its no-food diet until September when it will spawn in a nearby gravel riffle.

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Umpqua Fish

8,000th Winter Steelhead Counted in North Umpqua

8,000th Winter Steelhead Counted in North Umpqua

What's so special about this winter steelhead counted on March 10th at 8:05 PM by our project? It is the 8,000th fish for the 2025-26 North Umpqua River return and reported just a day after it occurred. There will be several more steelhead migrating upstream to spawn over the next several weeks to count and update for everyone. The total count could reach 10,000 by the end of April and be one of the highest number for this population in recent years. Thank you for watching our LiveCam Video.

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Umpqua Fish

Watch for Spring Chinook at Winchester Dam

Watch for Spring Chinook at Winchester Dam

Spring weather is here and that means Spring Chinook will arrive in the next few days. The water temperature just hit 50 degrees for the first time in 2026, which is a great predictor for the arrival of the first springer in the North Umpqua River.

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Umpqua Fish

Watch Steelhead Easily Traverse the Fish Ladder

Watch Steelhead Easily Traverse the Fish Ladder

Are you watching... 12 steelhead passing through the fish ladder in just 15 minutes. This year’s returns continue to be very high numbers and it is still 60 days away from the end of the migration period. A great start to the month of March.

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Umpqua Fish