Fish Ladder at Willamette Falls has Re-Opened and Salmon are Migrating up Into The River Above

Willamette River - Portland, OR (Lane County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
12-16-2020
Website

Anglers should confirm access before they go. All Metro Parks and boat ramps are now open, but may have modified operations. Check conditions at individual parks on Metro’s website. State parks and recreation areas appear open.

Check Willamette Falls fish counts.

The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Anglers may keep two trout per day. Smallmouth bass also can be a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful between Salem and Corvallis.

The fish ladder at Willamette Falls has re-opened and salmon are migrating up into the river above, including over 3,700 coho salmon on the first day. 

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.

As of Dec. 16, the instantaneous reading at Oregon City showed a gage height 4.83. Water temperature in Portland was 44.6F ft.




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, December 16th, 2020
Wallowa River: Continues to Be Good For Trout & Whitefish
Fall River: Anglers Should Focus Their Effort During The Warmest Part of The Day
North Twin Lake: Anglers Reporting Fair Fishing
Metolius River: Consistent Fishing Between Allingham Bridge and Bridge 99
South Twin Lake: Anglers Reporting Fair Fishing
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Stocked Again This Week
Clackamas River: Still Early For The Best of The Steelhead Run
Quartzville Creek: Best Conditions For Fishing Are Below 300 cfs.
Sandy River: Best Fishing Will Be As Water Levels Begin to Drop
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: River is Currently Running 3,600 CFS
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Currently Flows Are at 2,800 CFS
Alsea River: Steelhead Fishing Starting to Pick Up
Kilchis River: Kilchis River Report
Nehalem River: Hatchery Run is Underway
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is Just Getting Started for Winter Steelhead
Siuslaw River: Whitaker Creek Area is the Best Location to Target The Returning Hatchery Fish
Trask River: Some Steelhead Around As It Starts to Drop
Wilson River: Wilson River Fishing Report
Coos River: The Lower Coos Bay estuary has been a little rough from the recent ocean swell
Emigrant Reservoir: Water Levels Are Starting to Rise
Fish Lake : Lake is Steadily Rising
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Expect Snow this Weekend
Hyatt Lake: Packed Snow and Slick Road Conditions
Illinois River: A Few Early Run Winter Steelhead Shoudl Be Starting to Show Up
Lake Selmac: Trout Should Still Be Available
Rogue River - Middle: Flows at Grants Pass was approximately 1,580 cfs and Dropping
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue River Report
Smith River: Smith Should Be on The Rise This Week
Tenmile Lakes: Tenmile Lakes Fishing Report
Willow Lake: Lake is Currently at 58%
Campbell Reservoir: Reservoir is Likely Frozen
Fourmile Lake: Inaccessible due to snow unless you have a snowmobile or snow machine
Gerber Reservoir: Likely Frozen but Might Not be Safe for Ice Fishing
John C Boyle Reservoir: Water temperature is approaching freezing and there is likely some ice
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Upper Klamath River Report
Lake Of The Woods: Lake of the Woods Partially Frozen
Miller Lake: Likely Inaccessible
South Fork Sprague River: Snow Will Limit Access to Some Areas
Willow Valley Reservoir: Reservoir is Likely Frozen

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