Willamette River
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Jan 12
The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
Comments Due by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16th
From WaterWatch of Oregon:
Last spring the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced it had applied for over 260 new instream water rights in the Willamette River system to protect instream flows for native fish and wildlife in the North Willamette, Mid-Willamette, and South Willamette basins.
The final batch of 98 instream water right applications in the South Willamette are being considered now including segments of the McKenzie River, Middle Fork and Coast Fork Willamette, Mohawk River, South Fork McKenzie, Blue River, Salt Creek, Row River, North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River, and others. The public comment period closes next Thursday, Jan. 16th, by 5 p.m.
Instream Water Rights do not harm existing water rights, but do protect flows from new withdrawals going forward. Establishing protection for instream flows for fish is critical to maintaining healthy rivers in the face of climate change. Theres more at this ODFW StoryMap Overview document, and an ODFW Frequently Asked Questions page on instream water rights.
To express your support for ODFWs full slate of 98 South Willamette instream applications, create a comment email with our pre-formatted form linked below. You can modify, change, or add remarks as you see fit for a more personal comment, or mention specific rivers or streams of interest to you and your family.
Take action and support instream water rights in the South Willamette today!
From WaterWatch of Oregon:
Last spring the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced it had applied for over 260 new instream water rights in the Willamette River system to protect instream flows for native fish and wildlife in the North Willamette, Mid-Willamette, and South Willamette basins.
The final batch of 98 instream water right applications in the South Willamette are being considered now including segments of the McKenzie River, Middle Fork and Coast Fork Willamette, Mohawk River, South Fork McKenzie, Blue River, Salt Creek, Row River, North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River, and others. The public comment period closes next Thursday, Jan. 16th, by 5 p.m.
Instream Water Rights do not harm existing water rights, but do protect flows from new withdrawals going forward. Establishing protection for instream flows for fish is critical to maintaining healthy rivers in the face of climate change. Theres more at this ODFW StoryMap Overview document, and an ODFW Frequently Asked Questions page on instream water rights.
To express your support for ODFWs full slate of 98 South Willamette instream applications, create a comment email with our pre-formatted form linked below. You can modify, change, or add remarks as you see fit for a more personal comment, or mention specific rivers or streams of interest to you and your family.
Take action and support instream water rights in the South Willamette today!
This report was written by The Caddis Fly Angling Shop:
http://www.caddisflyshop.com/
(541) 342-7005
(541) 342-7005
Jan 09
Oregon DWR
COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout
Stocking will resume in spring 2025. The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 11/27/24.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Steelhead fishing below Dexter Dam has been productive, and walleye fishing below the dam is expected to pick up in the spring.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the Middle Fork Willamette below Dexter Dam.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs is open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 1/8/25.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho, small and largemouth bass
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, fairly good access and variety.
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.
Stocking will resume in spring 2025. The river is open to fishing all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead and wild steelhead over 24 inches.
Use of bait allowed April 22 Oct. 31 but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. Last updated 11/27/24.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: trout, steelhead
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access. Steelhead fishing below Dexter Dam has been productive, and walleye fishing below the dam is expected to pick up in the spring.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the Middle Fork Willamette below Dexter Dam.
The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs is open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout. Last updated 1/8/25.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, coho, small and largemouth bass
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, fairly good access and variety.
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.