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 per day.

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 section of the Willamette that runs through Eugene, known locally as The Town Run, offers good summer steelhead opportunities, and they can be caught almost any month of the year. There is often good fishing in October for these beauties.

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.