Welcome to the 2009
Spring Fishing Forecast

Willamette Zone

Trout anglers are reminded that most streams draining the Cascades on the east side of the north Willamette Valley are closed to trout angling until May 23. Many of these streams support winter steelhead, including the Clackamas, Sandy, Molalla, Tualatin, Yamhill, and North and South Santiam rivers, and the late opener is designed to protect the out-migrating juveniles, or smolts. On May 23, many of these waters will open to catch-and-release fishing for trout with angling restricted to artificial flies and lures. The season remains open through October 31. Check the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.

Laura Tesler's Steelhead - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

ODFW anticipates that a moderate run of summer steelhead will offer fair to good angling opportunities and catch rates in the Willamette River system. Keep in mind that winter steelhead can also still be caught in the lower Willamette River system in early spring. The Willamette spring chinook run is expected to be less than average but still higher than in 2008. The daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped adult salmonids, only one of which may be a chinook. Anglers should be aware that a new angling regulation is in effect for the upper Willamette Basin this year that allows the retention of unmarked steelhead greater than 24 inches. The period of time this regulation is in effect varies by water body, so consult the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for that information. The regulation will allow the harvest of mismarked and naturally reproducing summer steelhead. Summer steelhead are not native to the basin and harvesting these fish before they spawn will be a benefit to wild rainbow trout. Although native rainbow trout over 24 inches are extremely rare, anglers who happen to catch one are encouraged to release it unharmed.

Catch of Clackamas River stock spring chinook usually peaks in May and June, with the run ranging from late March through June. Summer steelhead in the Clackamas River return from March through October, with the peak usually seen during late spring and early fall.  Spring chinook in the lower Willamette are also readily available from late-March through June, or when the water temperature rises to the mid-fifties. Some summer steelhead are already in the Clackamas, Sandy, and Santiam Rivers, particularly in the lower reaches of these rivers, with numbers increasing daily. Good stream flow levels and water conditions this spring have offered some quality angling opportunities and some good action on early season winter steelhead, even with numbers of fish down a little. Chinook usually show up in catchable numbers around the first of May. Only salmon and steelhead with a clipped adipose fin may be retained. Streams that support winter steelhead, including the Clackamas, Sandy, Molalla, Tualatin, Yamhill, and North and South Santiam Rivers, will remain closed to trout fishing until late May to protect out-migrating juvenile steelhead. On May 23, many of these waters will open to catch-and-release fishing for trout with angling restricted to artificial flies and lures. Check the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information. In addition to several new consumptive angling opportunities for trout in the Upper Willamette River, coho salmon angling should be on the radar screen of any angler interested in catching fish. In 2007, several streams above Willamette Falls including the mainstem Willamette, Molalla, Tualatin, Yamhill opened for retention of adipose fin-clipped or non-adipose fin-clipped coho. Check the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.

Please note: All bull trout must be released unharmed from the McKenzie River, Cougar Reservoir, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Hills Creek Reservoir, and the Middle Fork Willamette.  A picture of a bull trout is in the angling regulations on page 16 and 69.  Anglers are asked to call ODFW in Springfield at 541-726-3515 ext. 26 to report any bull trout you catch.

Alphabetical listing:

Canby Pond:  Canby Pond has been re-opened as a youth and disabled anglers only fishing pond. It is open to youngsters ages 17 and under as well as persons who possess an Oregon Disabled Angler’s fishing license.

Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers ages 13 and under can fish for free while those 14-17 will need to have a juvenile angling license. All fishing regulations continue to apply.
Canby Pond will be stocked several times throughout the spring with rainbow trout. Warming water will likely make it difficult to stock into the summer. The pond also holds a variety of warmwater species.

Clackamas River: The main stem Clackamas River up to North Fork Dam and is open year-round for adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead.  Effective March 1, 2009, the daily bag limit for salmon and steelhead in the Clackamas River upstream to North Fork Dam will be two adult adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead per day. 

The main stem Clackamas River from the mouth upstream to North Fork Dam is open for adipose fin-clipped trout May 23-Oct. 31, two trout per day, and no minimum length; the use of bait is allowed in the lower river. The main stem Clackamas and tributaries above North Fork Reservoir are catch-and-release only for trout with artificial flies and lures. Exceptions to this regulation are in the Oak Grove Fork (and all tributaries) between yellow markers at upstream end of Harriet Lake and Timothy Lake Dam, which is open to the harvest of two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. However, there is no limit on size and number of brook trout taken in the main stem Clackamas River or tributaries above North Fork Dam.

There is ample bank access in McIver Park near the upper boat ramp, Clackamas Fish Hatchery, and the lower boat ramp near the disc golf course. Boaters will find good ramp availability at Clackamette, Riverside, Carver, Barton, Feldheimers, and McIver Parks. The float from the upper McIver boat ramp can be a little sketchy, so it is recommended that only experienced boaters float this section. You can put in at lower McIver and avoid all of the difficult water. Lower McIver is only about 1 mile upstream of Feldheimer boat ramp, but there are two good holes between it and Feldheimer that can hold good numbers of fish.
 
Clear Lake (Linn Co.):   We expect to be able to release trout for the April 25 weekend. Parking may be limited by snow.

Detroit, Foster and Green Peter Reservoirs:  All of these reservoirs have been stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout this season.  Cool early spring water temperatures will allow anglers to fish quite close to the surface to be successful, so bank angling can be most productive in the spring.  In addition to trout, Detroit and Green Peter support kokanee and chinook populations that provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a larger fish.  Both kokanee and chinook are more sensitive to warmer water temperatures than rainbow, and will move deeper into the lake as summer comes on.  Foster and Green Peter also support good numbers of bass that will start to bite as the water becomes warmer.  Most boat ramps should be usable by late April.

Dorman Pond:  This 8-acre pond near Balm Grove (at the junction of Hwy 8 and Hwy 6) was stocked with trout in March and is scheduled to be stocked again in April. Access and parking are excellent. 

Estacada Lake: Estacada Lake up to the Hwy 211 Bridge is open year-round for adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The trout season is open May 23 - October 31. Anglers are reminded that the bag limit is five adipose fin-clipped trout. The boat ramp at Estacada Lake has been relocated to the McIver Park side of the lake (enter through the park) and can be accessed at the campground. The lake will be routinely stocked with trout throughout the spring and summer seasons. There is limited access for bank fishing, but you can reach the lake through the Timber Park on the Estacada side and McIver Park on the south side of the lake.

Gales Creek:  Gales Creek opens May 23 to the catch-and-release of trout with artificial flies and lures only. This stream now has a late trout opener to reduce the catch of steelhead smolts, which are abundant in the creek during April and May.

Haldeman Pond:  This pond on Oak Island at Sauvie Island is open from April 16 through September 30. It will be stocked with rainbow trout several times this spring. Anglers are reminded the daily bag limit is five trout, and that a permit is necessary to park on the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.

Harriet Lake:  This lake on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River will be stocked mid-April (if accessible) and throughout the spring and summer. There are good opportunities for anglers to catch hatchery rainbow, cutthroat, brook and brown trout. A detour road off Highway 224 near Ripplebrook takes you directly past this popular lake. There is still a large snowpack, so you’re best bet is to check with the U.S. Forest Service at 503-630-6861 to ask if the road is open. 

Rainbow Trout - Photo by Kathy Munsel , ODFW-

Henry Hagg Lake:  Henry Hagg Lake is a large, 1,100 acre lake, located 30 miles west of Portland near Forest Grove, and offers some of the best standing water angling opportunities in the Willamette Valley. Hagg Lake is open from March 7 through November 22. The lake is heavily stocked throughout the spring and again in the fall with rainbow trout to support a very popular and successful fishery. In recent years, large brood trout have been released on occasion to enhance the angling experience. Excellent angling also exists for largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch and catfish. The state records for smallmouth bass (over 8 pounds) and brown bullhead catfish were caught here. 

Trout fishing is best from March to mid-June, and again in the fall when the water is cooler. Angling for bass and crappie is best in the spring when the fish move into shallow shoreline areas to spawn. Summer is a good time to fish for panfish and catfish. Two boat ramps are maintained to provide boating access, and bank anglers can reach most of the lake shore via trails or family picnic areas.

Light or medium weight spinning tackle provides a good all-around set-up. Trout can be caught on a variety of lures or baits. Spinners work well while worms, salmon eggs or artificial trout baits can be fished using a bobber or with a weight on the bottom. Bass anglers can also use spinners, but jigs and plastic baits or lures that imitate prey such as small fish and crayfish are also effective. For crappie, try fishing a small white or red-and-white jig at different depths by suspending it below a bobber that can be adjusted up or down the line. For other panfish, use a small hook baited with worm or other panfish bait suspended 12-18 inches below the bobber to keep the bait off the bottom. Catfish anglers will want to fish on the bottom using bait. Refer to the Sport Fishing Regulations for bag limits on specified species. 

Hills Creek Reservoir:  Hills Creek Reservoir has been fishing well this year for good-sized adipose-fin clipped rainbow trout.  Adipose fin-clipped spring chinook are also showing up in the creel and may be included in the trout bag limit (5 adipose fin-clipped fish per day).  Unmarked trophy-size trout are providing excellent catch-and-release opportunities.  Anglers are reminded to release bull trout and all other unclipped trout unharmed, preferably without removing them from the water.  Warmwater species including crappie and bass are also available for harvest.  Catch rates for warmwater fish will increase as temperatures rise to near 60F.

Huddleston Pond: This pond, off of NE Yamhill Street in Willamina, has changed names and was formerly known as Hampton Pond. Trout stocking begins in December and typically continues into early June, or until water conditions are no longer suitable for trout.

Luckiamute and Little Luckiamute River:  New for 2009: The mainstem Luckiamute and Little Luckiamute up to the falls at Falls City open May 23 with a limit of two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. The Little Luckiamute above the falls at Falls City opens for trout April 25 with a limit of two fish per day, 8-inch minimum length. Angling in both streams is restricted to artifical flies and lures. Both streams support healthy populations of native cutthroat trout, particularly in their upper reaches where excellent bank angling opportunities abound. 

Marys and Long Tom Rivers: Open April 25 to the harvest of trout with a limit of five fish per day, 8-inch minimum length; bait allowed. Both streams supporthealthy populations of native cutthroat trout, particularly in their upper reaches. The Long Tom below Fern Ridge Dam is well populated with an assortment of warmwater gamefish (e.g. bass, crappie, bullhead catfish) though bank angling access is limited. 

McKenzie River:  Angling success is usually a bit slower early in the year with high, cool water expected. The river will be stocked with 5,850 rainbow trout from Leaburg Lake up to Blue River with an additional 2,900 in Leaburg Lake for opening day.  Rainbow trout will not be released into the McKenzie River below Leaburg Dam until the last week of April. All hatchery rainbow trout released into the McKenzie River are marked with an adipose fin clip and anglers must release all non fin-clipped trout in the mainstem McKenzie. The lower 11 miles of the McKenzie River below the Hayden Bridge and the McKenzie River upstream from Forest Glen Boat Ramp at Blue River up to Trail Bridge Reservoir are restricted to angling with lures and flies only, and all trout must be released. A few summer steelhead may be available below Leaburg Dam. The McKenzie River is open to salmon angling from the mouth to 200 feet below Leaburg Dam. Only adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon may be harvested during the season that will extend to Aug. 15. The daily bag limit on spring chinook salmon has been reinstated to two per day. Every effort should be made to release wild (non fin-clipped) chinook without taking them out of the water. Bait is not allowed for salmon downstream from Hayden Bridge. Bait may be used beginning April 25 in the area between Hayden Bridge and Leaburg Dam. 

Catch-and-release fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout in the lower McKenzie River and in the Willamette downstream to Harrisburg has been good this year. The March Brown hatch and some fairly dense caddis hatches have been developing during midday and are expected to continue into May.

Anglers should be aware that a new angling regulation is in effect for the McKenzie River this year that allows the retention of unmarked steelhead greater than 24 inches. The regulation will allow the harvest of mismarked and naturally reproducing summer steelhead. Summer steelhead are not native to the basin and harvesting these fish before they spawn will be a benefit to wild rainbow trout. Although native rainbow trout over 24 inches are extremely rare, anglers who happen to catch one are encouraged to release them unharmed.

An angler creel survey is planned for Leaburg Lake and the upper McKenzie River beginning in late April. ODFW staff will be contacting anglers with questions about numbers and species of fish caught. Information collected will be used to determine catch of native trout and other fish, as well as to improve the rainbow trout stocking program. 

Molalla/Pudding River:  The Molalla up to Pine Creek Bridge is open year-round for the retention of adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and coho. It is open to the harvest of non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead July 1 – August 31. The use of bait is allowed May 15 – July 15. The use of single barbless hooks is encouraged. Spring chinook will not show up in the Molalla until May. We no longer stock the Molalla with winter or summer steelhead but wild winter steelhead are providing a small, but popular catch-and-release fishery. Give it a try from the Pine Creek Bridge down to Canby in April and May for both winter steelhead and fresh spring chinook. The river opens May 23 to catch-and-release of trout. All unmarked trout in the Molalla basin must be released unharmed. The exceptions to this rule are Silver Creek above Silverton Reservoir, Abiqua Creek above Abiqua Falls, and Butte Creek above Butte Creek Falls, where retention of two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length is allowed (consult 2009 angling regulations for more information). Anglers are encouraged to use artificial flies and lures when fishing for trout in the Molalla Basin.

The Molalla/Pudding River also offers some warmwater angling opportunities. There is no limit on size or number of bass taken.

Mt Hood Pond:  The pond has been designated a youth only fishing venue from April 1 – August 31. It is open to youngsters ages 17 and under. The new rules make it illegal for adults to fish in Mt Hood Pond between April 1 and August 31.
Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers ages 13 and under can fish for free while those 14-17 will need to have a juvenile angling license. All fishing regulations continue to apply.

North Fork Reservoir: The reservoir (up to milepost 32 on Hwy 224) is open May 23 through October 31 for the retention of adipose fin-clipped trout, five per day. The reservoir is stocked frequently throughout spring, summer and fall. There are a number of good access points along Highway 224 where anglers can fish from the bank.

North Santiam (above Big Cliff Dam), Breitenbush Rivers, and streams above Detroit, as well as Quartzville Creek and streams above Green Peter Reservoir: Will open for trout fishing on April 25 and several, including Breitenbush River, upper North Santiam River and Quartzville Creek, will be stocked with rainbow trout for Memorial Day weekend. These streams will provide anglers an opportunity to retain a standard bag limit of five trout per day and the use of bait is allowed.

North Santiam (below Big Cliff Dam), South Santiam (below Foster Dam), and mainstem Santiam River: New for 2009: Will open for trout fishing on May 23 with a limit of two adipose fin-clipped trout per day, no minimum length. 
 
North Santiam (below Big Cliff Dam), Little North Fork Santiam, South Santiam (below Foster Dam), and mainstem Santiam River:  New for 2009: Non adipose fin-clipped adult steelhead may be retained during the months of July and August. Bank anglers need to be aware that there have been angling deadline changes at two locations on the North Santiam: at Packsaddle Park and Mill City.  Both changes provide increased bank angling access and the new deadline boundaries are clearly marked and described in the angling regulations booklet.  Anglers must adhere to these new deadlines, making sure to fish and cast downstream of them. The new deadlines are being strictly enforced by law enforcement.
 
Little North Fork Santiam:  New for 2009: Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only.

Portland-area Lakes and Ponds (Faraday, Benson, Hartman, Blue, Commonwealth, Bethany, Trojan, Mt. Hood Community College, and Small Fry Lake in Promontory Park):  These lakes are open to the harvest of adipose-fin clipped trout.  They are all stocked or will receive trout soon, with stocking continuing through early June in most ponds. These lakes and reservoirs should provide some of the best catches on opening weekend. Many of these lakes and ponds also offer great warmwater fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. 

Commonwealth Lake:  The bass limit is one per day, no minimum length. The crappie limit is 10 per day, no minimum length.

Fishing -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Small Fry Lake:  Angling restricted to youths ages 17 and under. Under Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, anglers ages 13 and under can fish for free while those 14-17 will need to have a juvenile angling license. Open all year for trout angling, two trout per day with no minimum length.
The North Willamette Watershed District will host free youth fishing events at Trojan Pond on Saturday, April 25 and at Commonwealth Lake on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The events are part of ODFW’s Youth Angling Enhancement Program, designed to introduce young people to the fun of fishing. The Department will provide rods and reels, tackle, bait, and fish bags for use by young anglers who do not have their own fishing equipment. In addition, ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand to help participants learn how to bait a hook, cast a rod, and land the catch.  Packets of information including the Easy Angling Oregon booklet also will be available to participants. 

Rickreall Creek:  New for 2009: The mainstem of Rickreall Creek opens May 23 with a limit of two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures. The stream supports a healthy population of native cutthroat trout though bank angling access is somewhat limited. 

Salish Ponds:  Salish Ponds Wetlands Park (located between Halsey St. and Glisan St. in the City of Fairview) is preserved to protect the natural areas surrounding Fairview Creek and the ponds. Trails lead through wetlands and forest, and a small picnic area with restrooms are provided for the public. Two ponds in the park provide great opportunities for both warmwater fish and trout. Both ponds offer small docks to enhance enjoyment of the area.

West Salish Pond is stocked with rainbow trout and brook trout. Large brood trout ranging from 4-20 pounds are stocked into the lake when available from area hatcheries. East Salish Pond holds warmwater fish including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. In East Salish Pond the daily bass limit is one per day, no minimum length. The daily crappie limit is 10 per day, no minimum length.

Rainbow trout and warmwater fish are easily accessible from the banks of the west pond for most of the year, especially on the Glisan Street side. However, trout will be found in the deeper, cooler water of the pond during the warm summer months.  Warmwater fish are usually found in or along areas with aquatic weeds, or near other natural or man-made features (i.e., docks) that offer cover.

Angling for bass and crappie is best in the spring when the water temperature warms and the fish move into shallow shoreline areas to spawn. Summer is a good time to fish for panfish and catfish, and bass can still be caught during the morning and evening.

Light or medium weight spinning tackle provides a good all-around set-up. Trout can be caught on a variety of lures and baits. Spinners work well while worms, salmon eggs or artificial trout baits can be fished using a bobber or with a weight on the bottom. Try using spinners to catch brood trout for a few days after release, and then switch to bait suspended 6 – 10 feet under a bobber. Fish as far out as possible, but generally 20 – 30 feet from the bank. For warmwater fish, target areas close to shore and near weeds or other cover. Bass anglers can also use spinners, but jigs and plastic baits or lures that imitate prey such as small fish and crayfish are also effective. For crappie, try fishing a small white or red-and-white jig at different depths by suspending it below a bobber that can be adjusted up or down the line.  For other panfish, use a small hook baited with worm or other panfish bait suspended 12-18 inches below the bobber. This is a great method for kids to use as it helps to prevent snags and lost tackle. Catfish anglers will want to fish on the bottom using bait. Be sure to check your bait if you have had no action after a while. Many small fish in the pond are nibblers and highly effective thieves! 

The North Willamette Watershed District will host a free youth fishing event at the Salish Ponds on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is part of ODFW’s Youth Angling Enhancement Program, designed to introduce young people to the fun of fishing. The department will provide rods and reels, tackle, bait, and fish bags for use by young anglers who do not have their own fishing equipment. In addition, ODFW staff and volunteers will be on hand to help participants learn how to bait a hook, cast a rod and land the catch. Packets of information including the Easy Angling Oregon booklet also will be available to participants. 

Salmonberry Lake:  This small reservoir in the Milton Creek drainage, west of St. Helens, is scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout in mid-late April. The road in is gated and anglers must walk in about 1/3 mile to access this secluded pond.

Sacirovic Mustafa of Portland checks his bait while fishing for steelhead and salmon on the Sandy River. -Photo by Rick Swart-

Sandy River:  The Sandy River up to the ODFW markers at the mouth of the Salmon River is open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead and from February 1 through October 31 for adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon. However, the area near Oxbow Park is closed during the fall to protect spawning chinook salmon (see the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for these special regulations). The river and its tributaries open May 23 for catch-and-release only of trout. The use of bait is allowed up to the ODFW markers at the mouth of the Salmon River.
The mainstem and tributaries upstream from the ODFW markers at the mouth of the Salmon River, including the Salmon River is open to steelhead July 1 –August 31. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures (see the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for restrictions pertaining to flies and lures).

There are reports of a few wild steelhead being caught and released in the section of river above the old Marmot Dam site. There may still be a few hatchery winter steelhead available above Cedar Creek, but there is some opportunity for catch-and-release of wild fish for those interested in a more remote angling experience.

Spring chinook angling should improve moving into late April and on through May. There are many good, safe access points for bank angling from Lewis and Clark Park up to Dabney Park along the side of the highway.

Access to the river can be gained from many parks including Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge. Bank access is also available to the Cedar Creek area at the Sandy Hatchery. When fishing the Oxbow Park area, remember that there is no angling from a floating device upstream from a point that is 200 feet below the Oxbow Park boat ramp.

Collection/recycling receptacles for discarded or lost fishing gear can now be found along the Sandy River. Look for them near boat ramps at Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge parks. Any tangled fishing line or old gear can be collected and disposed of in these canisters as an effort to maintain a healthy, clean Sandy River. Please use nearby garbage cans for any other types of trash.

Sheridan Pond: The pond is stocked year-round with catchable trout along with larger (12-14”) and trophy (14-18”) trout to enhance the angling experience. Keep a look out for periodic stocking of brood trout that can exceed 4 pounds.  The local community hosts a kids fishing day in June.
 
Silverton Reservoir: The gate at Silverton Reservoir will be opened for the April 25 weekend and the lake stocked with rainbow trout.  It will be re-stocked in May and June.

Timothy and Trillium lakes: Timothy Lake is home to rainbow, brook, and native cutthroat trout as well as kokanee salmon. Both lakes will receive rainbow trout in late April or early May, depending on accessibility due to snow. There is still a large snowpack, so you’re best bet is to check with the U.S. Forest Service at 503-630-6861 to ask when roads and gates are open.  Timothy Lake has a catch limit of 25 kokanee per day and five adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout.  However, there is no limit on size or number of brook trout taken.

Tualatin River:  Lower elevation streams in the drainage are expected to be good for native cutthroat trout as well as warmwater fish, including smallmouth and largemouth bass, and bluegill. The trout season is open from May 23 through Oct. 31 for catch-and-release only. The use of bait is allowed in the Tualatin River up to the Hwy. 210 Bridge at Scholls. Artificial flies and lures must be used in the area above Scholls up to the Hwy 47 bridge in Gaston. A small boat or canoe will provide the best access to more water in this slow moving meandering river. Access points exist at major bridge crossings and some riverside parks. 

Willamette Basin, Upper Reservoirs (Blue River, Cottage Grove, Dexter, Dorena, Carmen and Smith):  Open to year-round trout angling and will be stocked with rainbow before April 25. Snow will hinder access to higher elevation lakes.

Willamette River, Lower: The Willamette River below Willamette Falls in Oregon City is open for adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead year-round. Fair numbers of spring chinook and good summer steelhead are anticipated this spring and summer. The lower river and sloughs are also a great place to find warm-water fish, including bass, bluegill and walleye. Special Regulations for walleye specify a 10 walleye per-day limit, and no more than five walleye per-day can be over 18 inches and only one may be over 24 inches. Trout are not stocked into this portion of the river. Use of bait is allowed in the lower river. Also keep in mind that the Willamette River regulations have recently changed under a temporary rule. 

Willamette River (downstream of Willamette Falls)

• March March 1 through March 15 open seven-days-a-week
• 19 – April 30 open three-days-a-week (Thurs. – Sat.) for spring chinook, and open for retention of steelhead under permanent rule for the remainder of the week (Sun – Wed)
• The daily bag limit will be two adult adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead, but only one may be a chinook 

These rules apply to the Willamette downstream from Willamette Falls, including Multnomah Channel and the lower Clackamas River downstream of the Highway 99 Bridge.

Willamette Tributaries

• The Willamette River, upstream of Willamette Falls and the Clackamas River upstream of the highway 99 bridge will remain open under permanent rules
• The Commission also approved permanent rules that set a 2009 recreational sturgeon season on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers as follows:

In the estuary below the Wauna powerlines

• January 1 through April 30, seven-days-a-week
• May 9 through June 28, seven-days-a-week
• July 2 through July 5
• 38-inch minimum fork length January through April, 41-inch minimum fork length remainder of season

From Wauna Powerlines to Bonneville Dam (including the lower Willamette River)

• Retention is allowed three-days-a-week (Thurs. – Sat.) during the months of January through March and October through December
• Retention prohibited August through September

Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar and at the wall in downtown Oregon City as well as Kelly Point Park at the mouth of the Willamette River. Sturgeon anglers have been using frozen smelt, herring, or sand shrimp as effective bait. As in any fishery, anglers are reminded that all sturgeon released should be done so unharmed.

Willamette River above Willamette Falls: Upstream to Hwy 20 Bridge at Albany is open for adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon and adipose fin-clipped steelhead for the entire year. It is open for coho salmon the entire year. The use of bait is allowed.

Willamette River, Mainstem:  Prospects should be excellent for native cutthroat and rainbow trout upstream of Corvallis. The stretch of river above the highway bridge at Albany to the highway 99 bridge at Harrisburg opens April 25 to the harvest of trout with at limit of 5 fish per day, 8-inch minimum length; bait allowed. Trout angling is restricted to catch-and-release/artificial flies and lures between the Hwy. 99 Bridge at Harrisburg and the mouth of the McKenzie River. There are also excellent opportunities throughout summer for smallmouth bass, crappie, and bluegill in the Willamette River from Salem to Willamette Falls.

Spring Chinook Caught on the Willamete -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Willamette, Middle Fork, below Dexter Dam:  ODFW anticipates spring chinook and summer steelhead will arrive in peak numbers during May and early June, although a few will be caught before then. Most anglers target the area from Dexter Dam downstream to Pengra Boat Landing; however, during May anglers with boats catch spring chinook from Pengra Landing downstream to the confluence with the Coast Fork Willamette. The forecasted number of Willamette spring chinook at Dexter Dam is a bit higher than in 2008, so commensurate with the rest of the Willamette River and its tributaries, the daily bag limit has been reinstated to two adipose fin-marked chinook per day. Summer steelhead will remain available through the fall. Summer steelhead prospects also exist in the “town run” on the mainstem Willamette from Beltline Bridge to the Coast Fork of the Willamette. Only adipose fin-clipped salmon and steelhead may be harvested in the Willamette and Middle Fork Willamette from the mouth of the McKenzie to Dexter Dam.

Anglers should be aware that a new angling regulation is in effect for the Middle Fork Willamette River this year that allows the retention of unmarked steelhead greater than 24 inches. The regulation will allow the harvest of mismarked and naturally reproducing summer steelhead. Summer steelhead are not native to the basin and harvesting these fish before they spawn will be a benefit to wild rainbow trout. Although native rainbow trout over 24 inches are extremely rare, anglers who happen to catch one are encouraged to release them unharmed.

Willamette, Middle Fork, from Lookout Point Reservoir to Hills Creek Reservoir:  Open to angling all year with lures and flies. This is a wild trout area and all non-adipose fin-clipped trout must be released unharmed. Up to five adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained per day. These hatchery fish originate from upstream stocking locations.

Willamette, Middle Fork, upstream of Hills Creek Reservoir: The Middle Fork Willamette above Hills Creek Reservoir will be stocked with 1,350 fish by April 25; anglers must use lures or flies and may only keep trout with an adipose fin clip.

Willamette, Upper, tributaries:  Salmon Creek above Oakridge (2,000 fish), Blue River above Blue River Reservoir (1,500 fish), Fall Creek (2,000 fish) near Lowell, and the Coast Fork Willamette River (1,500 fish) in Cottage Grove. The Alton Baker Canoe Canal has been stocked regularly since February and should be fishing well.

The South Willamette Watershed District will host a free youth fishing event at the Alton Baker Canoe Canal on Saturday, May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is part of ODFW’s Youth Angling Enhancement Program, designed to introduce young people to the fun of fishing. The Department will provide all angling equipment and instruction necessary. Information including the Easy Angling Oregon booklet will be available to participants. Contact the Springfield field office at 541-726-3515 for additional information.

Willamette Valley Lakes (Freeway Lakes, Waverly Lake, Walter Wirth Lake, St. Louis Ponds, Wilsonville Pond, and Woodburn Pond):  Warmwater angling will start to improve as water temperatures become warmer. Bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish are available in many of the valley ponds. Sloughs and backwaters of the Willamette River also offer good opportunities for warmwater angling.

Junction City Pond, EE Wilson Pond, Freeway lakes, Timber Linn Lake, Roaring River Pond, Waverly Lake, Walter Wirth Lake, Walling Pond, and St. Louis Ponds #1, #3, #6:  Trout stocking will continue through mid-May or early June, depending on the water body and water conditions.

St Louis Ponds: Angling from a floating device is prohibited on Pond #1 and Pond # 3. Angling from a personal float tube (no boats allowed) is allowed on all other ponds. Pond #6 has provided some excellent trout opportunities this spring.