Willamette offers convenience, access, and variety!

Willamette River - Portland, OR (Lane County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
9-18-2024
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Coho are currently pouring into the river from the Columbia and many of them are staging near the mouths of their spawning tributaries, like the Yamhill, Mollala, Rickreall, and the Luckiamute, waiting for the fall rains that will allow them to migrate up. These are good places to target these wild fish. Anglers are allowed to keep up to two adult coho.

The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Look for deep slot pools and the tail-end of long riffles and the head of pools where the fish are likely stacked up in feeding lanes.

Smallmouth bass can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis during the spring and summer. Trout prefer the cooler temperatures upstream of Corvallis. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections.

The river is ideal for small boats such as canoes and kayaks, but there are enough public access points for bank anglers as well. Consult Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for specific locations.

The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, fairly good access and variety. 




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, September 18th

Umatilla River: Some Nice Coho Catches!
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Anglers report good trout and bass fishing
Crooked River: The Crooked continues to fish well through the fall
Deschutes River: Deschutes River Updates
Haystack Reservoir: Rare opportunity for anglers!
Laurance Lake: Consistent catches of trout!
Ochoco Reservoir: Recent reports of good rainbow trout fishing!
Prinevile Reservoir: Reports of Fair Fishing
Wickiup Reservoir: Productive Fishing at Wickiup
Foster Reservoir: The Reservoir is Full and in Good Shape
Green Peter Reservoir: Green Peter Updates
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek Updates
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Strong Summer Steelhead Run
Santiam River (South Fork): Fish Will Still Be Available

ODFW Recreation Report

9-13-2024
Hunting updates return to Rec Report With the opening of both fur and feather seasons, it's time to bring hunting back...... Read More