COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Trout, steelhead
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, small and largemouth bass
COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: Chinook, summer steelhead, trout
Was stocked the week of May 19, with 800 hatchery rainbow trout. 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 4/21/25.
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. Walleye fishing below Dexter Dam should be decent March May.
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 3/12/25.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: Catch-and-release sturgeon, steelhead, spring Chinook, small and largemouth bass
Poor river conditions last week and not much effort.
Preliminary estimates for the week of May 5th- May 11th:
Boats: 2,685 anglers Chinook 247 kept, 54 released - Steelhead 0 kept, 0 releasedBank: 207 anglers Chinook 0 kept, 0 released - Steelhead 0 kept , 0 released
See summaries for more details.
Spring ChinookSteelhead
River conditions and fish counts:
May 19, Willamette River Portland-Temperature/Visibility: 59F, Visibility: 8.5 ftLink to: Willamette Falls Counts Link to Willamette River Morrison Bridge Hydro DataLink to NOAA-Willamette River Forecast (Salem)
The Willamette often gets overlooked because it is so close. But this river offers convenience, 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.
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. Trout can be kept in some sections, but not in others. Consult the regulation booklet for details. Last updated 5/28/25.
In this video, Simon ties an extremely effective jigged caddis pupa for fishing the Mothers Day or Grannom Caddis hatch. This hatch can be frustrating with lots of emerged adults on the water, and very few fish rising. This is because fish gorge themselves on ascending pupa. It is an easier meal, and it is safer as they do not have to surface to eat a dry or emerger. This particular pattern is great because it can be ran under an indicator, swung like a soft hackle, and ran under a dropper. It is the jack of all trades for caddis pupa patterns. Small patterns like this is really where Starling shines as a collar material. The new Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub sops up water and looks super buggy. We are finding every excuse to put it on all of our flies. The pattern is also extremely simple, which means that you can spend less time tying a few up and more time fishing them.
Hook- Ahrex FW555 Jig: Size 16
Bead- Hareline Anodized Chartreuse Slotted Tungsten Bead: 1/8 or 3.3mm
Thread- Semperfli Black Nanosilk: 50D
Body- Fulling Mill Eco Warrior Dub: Olive & Uni Medium Soft Wire: Olive
Collar- Hareline Peacock Herl & Hareline Starling
Resin: Solarez Bone Dry
UV Torch: Loon Plasma Light
Bobbin: Smhaen Tension Bobbin
Vise- Renzetti Master & Deluxe Streamer Base
