Catch estimates, below Willamette Falls to mouth

Willamette River - Portland, OR (Lane County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
3-16-2022
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.

Last week’s preliminary catch estimates, below Willamette Falls to mouth (including Multnomah Channel) are:

  • Chinook: 58 kept, 4 released
  • Steelhead: 7 kept, 10 released.

Catch picked up later in the week in Multnomah Channel. 

March 14 Willamette River Portland-Temperature/Visibility: 47 F, Visibility: 3.4 ft

Willamette Falls Counts as of March 10: Chinook – 2: winter steelhead - 1,770: summer steelhead -17.

The upstream section between Albany and Harrisburg is open year-round for trout fishing, which can be very good when flows are cooperating. Flows are in pretty decent shape at the moment, but patience will be required to coax trout at this time of year. 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 during the spring and summer. From Salem downstream there are plenty of largemouth bass in the deeper, quieter sections.

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.




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Brownlee Reservoir: Brownlee Reservoir is 35 ft. below full pool
Imnaha River: Mid-March through mid-April often is one of the best periods for steelhead fishing
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake has had ice on in throughout the latter part of the winter
Crooked River: The Crooked River remains low, so anglers might look for trout in deeper waters
Lake Billy Chinook: Fishing is off to a good start since the lake opened on March 1
Metolius River: March can be a good month for fishing on the Metolius
Pine Hollow Reservoir: The reservoir is schedule to be stocked later this month
Prinevile Reservoir: Trout fishing continues to be good near the dam
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked this week for the first time this season
Detroit Reservoir: Currently the reservoir water level is about 70 feet above the bottom of Mongold boat ramp
Dexter Reservoir: Will be stocked again this week
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Green Peter Reservoir: This reservoir is slowly filling again
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir will be stocked this week
Junction City Pond: The pond was stocked last week
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round
Santiam River (South Fork): Currently flows are around 1,900 cfs at the Waterloo gauge
Timber Linn Lake: It will be stocked this week
Waverly Lake: This lake was stocked last week
Alsea River: Winter steelhead fishing improved after the recent rain
Necanicum River: The hatchery winter steelhead run on the Necanicum River is done
Nehalem River: The Nehalem came up early this week but will be dropping until Saturday morning
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem should be fishable throughout the week
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is just a little on the high side
Siletz River: Winter steelhead fishing on the Siletz slowed down last week
Siuslaw River: Winter steelhead fishing continues to be steady on the Siuslaw
Trask River: The Trask is a little high but fishable
Wilson River: The Wilson is fishable
Gerber Reservoir: Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir. Bank access is good
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is 2.5 feet below full pool and 60 percent full
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Fishing Report
Phillips Reservoir: As the weather continues to warm and the ice melts more
Pilcher Reservoir: The ice around the edge of Pilcher Reservoir has been thin making access difficult
Thief Valley Reservoir: Recently, the ice around the edges of Thief Valley Reservoir has melted
Unity Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports
Wolf Creek Reservoir: The ice around the edge of Wolf Creek Reservoir recently has been thin
Agate Lake: Agate has received 3,000 legal rainbow trout since Feb. 14
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Fishing Report
Sixes River: Current fishing conditions are good
Saunders Lake: Saunders Lake was stocked earlier this month
Rogue River- Upper: Best bets for the upper river would be concentrating on the area between Shady Cove and Touvelle
Rogue River - Middle: This last weekend saw anglers catching a mix of fresh winter fish and down runner summer steelhead
Rogue River- Lower: Fishing conditions are good
Pistol River: Fishing conditions are currently great
Lost Creek Lake: There should also be some very good holdover fish available
Lake Selmac: Bluegill fishing from shore will be fair with the water temps still pretty chilly
Illinois River: The Illinois saw two really nice bumps in flow over the last 3 days
Howard Prairie Reservoir: There is some open water, but access is limited
Galesville Reservoir: The boat ramp is just usable and anglers are taking advantage of it
Elk River: Later season steelhead fishing can be excellent on the Elk
Diamond Lake: Warmer temperatures may start to melt the ice, but anglers have been out fishing and doing fairly well
Cooper Creek Reservoir: The first stocking of trout is scheduled for next week
Chetco River: Recent rainfall has brought the river levels up

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Sunday, March 13th, 2022
Columbia River: March 16 Bonneville Pool sturgeon retention day cancelled
: Oregon Troll Salmon Action Notice