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The 1 steelhead bag limit on several NE creeks and rivers, set to expire on Dec. 31, has been extended through April 30, 2019.
Fishing
Willamette Zone
Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs that are stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout. Some of these reservoirs also grow trophy-size largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as bluegill, brown bullhead and crappies. Smaller lakes and ponds nearer the valley floor provide springtime trout fishing close to home. Salmon and steelhead navigate the Willamette River and its tributaries, many of which are also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Visit e-regulations
Regulation Highlights
Trout
Lakes and ponds: five fish per day, 8-inch minimum size, open all year
Rivers and streams: catch-and-release only, open May 22-Oct. 31
Salmon/steelhead
Two adult salmon/steelhead per day (in aggregate), seasons vary – see regulations for the waterbody you’d like to fish
Bass
Five fish per day, no more than three over 15-inches
Fishing in the Willamette Zone
Salmon
Spring Chinook begin to arrive in the Sandy and Clackamas rivers as early as April and fishing can continue into June or July. In the upper Willamette Valley – the Mckenzie and Santiam – spring Chinook fishing is a June/July sport.
Beginning in September, coho can create a great fall fishery in the Willamette, Clackamas, Sandy and Santiam rivers. Many anglers in the Willamette Zone also are within easy reach of salmon fisheries in the lower Columbia River. See the Columbia River Zone for more details.
Steelhead
There are both winter and summer steelhead runs in this zone, and in some rivers steelhead may be available almost every day of the year.
Trout
Trout stocking begins in lakes and ponds on the valley floor as early as January and continues through May when warm temperatures and the growth of aquatic vegetation make fishing (and fish survival) tough. Beginning in June/July much of the trout stocking shifts to cooler, higher elevation water bodies on the flanks of the Cascades.
Smallmouth Bass
There is terrific smallmouth bass fishing throughout the Willamette Valley, from small neighborhood ponds to large reservoirs. Many rivers also boast vibrant bass fisheries, especially the Willamette and nearby Columbia.
Species in Willamette Zone
Fresh water
Black crappie are frequently found in medium-size lakes and reservoirs where they are associated with aquatic vegetation and clear water.
Fresh water
Bluegills are fun to catch and can be great sport for young and novice anglers. They are excellent eating when of sufficient size. They can...
Fresh water
Salt water
The Chinook salmon is the largest of the Pacific salmon species and can reach upwards of 50 pound, though 10 to 25 pounds is more...
Fresh water
Brown bullheads are found throughout the state and prefer lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms. When properly skilled and cooked they can be fine eating.
Fresh water
White crappie are found in large lakes and reservoirs, where they are more tolerant of turbidity and less dependent on aquatic vegetation than black crappie.
Fresh water
Salt water
White sturgeon is the largest freshwater fish species found in North America.
Fresh water
Each year ODFW stocks millions of rainbow trout throughout the state-- from small neighborhood ponds, to large reservoirs and destination fisheries.
Fresh water
Green sunfish rarely become large enough to be pursued by most anglers, except youngsters. They are often considered a liability because they compete with more...
Fresh water
Largemouth bass are found throughout the state and prefer slower waters with lots of cover.
Fresh water
Smallmouth bass do well in both lakes/ponds and rivers/streams. They prefer structure and a bit of current.
Fresh water
Channel cats are most abundant in eastern Oregon, primarily in the Columbia and Snake rivers and their impoundments, Owyhee Reservoir, the Owyhee River and the...
Fresh water
In Oregon the bull trout is listed as a threatened species, and there are very few places where anglers can actively target them. However, anglers...
Fresh water
Pumpkinseed are found in many of the lower elevation ponds, lakes, reservoirs and river backwaters throughout the state. Like many other members of the panfish...
Fresh water
Salt water
The coho salmon rears for part of its life in the Pacific Ocean and spawns in freshwater streams.
Fresh water
Yellow bullheads are primarily found in the Willamette Valley, in lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms. When properly skinned and cooked, they can be fine...
Fresh water
In Oregon, redear sunfish are restricted to the Willamette Valley and parts of central Oregon. They were introduced in Oregon because they are not as...
Fresh water
Kokanee salmon are landlocked sockeye salmon that never leave fresh water, and spawn in the tributaries of their home lake.
Fresh water
In Oregon, warmouth are present in a few coastal lakes and widely distributed in the Columbia basin, but are not commonly caught by anglers. They...
Fresh water
Salt water
The steelhead, a sea-run rainbow or redband trout, is the largest race of rainbow in Oregon. They are famous worldwide for line-peeling runs and putting...
Fresh water
Salt water
American shad were introduced to the West in 1871 when fish were first released in major rivers up and down the Pacific coast.
Fresh water
The Oregon or Rocky Mountain whitefish is closely related to the trout and chars and is often included in this family.
Fresh water
In Oregon, walleye are found in the Willamette, Columbia and Snake rivers. Walleye can be plentiful in these locations, and with their excellent taste are...
Fresh water
Yellow perch are a good target for young and novice anglers because they're plentiful and bite readily. They also are prized for their taste and...
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