WILAMETTE ZONE FISHING
Weekend fishing opportunities:
The McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake will be boat-stocked this week from Finn Rock to Goodpasture Landing with a total of 9,200 legal- and larger-sized rainbow trout.
Progress Lake in Beaverton was stocked June 7 with 600 “pounder-plus” rainbow trout.
Quartzville Creek will be be stocked this week with 2,000 rainbow trout with opportunities to catch some nice wild cutthroat trout as well.
Fishing is fair to good for spring chinook and summer steelhead on the Sandy River.
Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports -- the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.
STOCKING SCHEDULE
The 2013 schedules will be posted at our website as soon as they are available.
North Willamette stocking schedule
South Willamette stocking schedule
Check out the new trout stocking map
Find the location and details about the many lakes ponds and streams that receive hatchery trout from ODFW’s fish hatcheries on the new Google-based stocking map.
ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: trout
The canal will be stocked with a total of 500 legal-sized and 50 larger trout along its length. The canal is located within Alton Baker Park and can be accessed off of Club Road in Eugene. The Canoe Canal is located in downtown Eugene behind Autzen Stadium. A 4-acre pond at the midpoint of the canal is a good spot but it can be fished all along its 2-mile length from Day Island Road in Eugene to Aspen Street in Springfield. Summer steelhead are occasionally caught in this system and anglers are reminded they will need a combined angling tag to legally harvest a steelhead. It is legal to fish with two rods in the Alton Baker Canoe Canal, provided the Two-Rod Validation has been purchased.
BENSON LAKE: rainbow trout, white crappie, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Stocked the week of June 3 with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 40-acre lake located in Benson State Park in the Columbia River Gorge. From Portland, head east on I-84, park is located on the south side of the freeway approx. 1/2 mile west of Multnomah Falls.
BETHANY POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, bullhead
Stocked the week of April 29 with 2,000 legal sized rainbow trout. This is a 10-acre pond located at Bethany west of Portland. The pond is maintained by Tualatin Hills Park and Rec. Amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, and a paved, ADA accessible trail.
BLUE RIVER above BLUE RIVER RESERVOIR: trout
Blue River above Blue River Reservoir was recently stocked at multiple locations with a total of 1,000 legal-sized and 250 larger-sized rainbow trout. Take FS Road 15 from Hwy 126 about 5 miles east of the town of Blue River to access Blue River above the reservoir.
BLUE RIVER RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater species
Blue River Reservoir was recently stocked with 3,750 legal-sized rainbow trout. Blue River Reservoir is located east of Eugene near the town of Blue River, north of Highway 126 and is open to year-round fishing.
BREITENBUSH RIVER: trout
This scenic river flows for approximately 30 miles into Detroit Reservoir. It will be stocked this week with another 1,800 legal size rainbow trout. Because the water runs cold throughout the year there are usually good numbers of fish throughout the summer. Forest Road 46 runs along most of its length so access is very good despite some steep and brushy sections. The river has some native rainbow and cutthroat trout and a few brook trout might also be found. Daily limit is five trout over 8 inches, no limit on brook trout and the use of bait is allowed. The river is closed to salmon fishing.
CANBY POND: rainbow trout
This pond will not be stocked until further notice due to large amounts of aquatic vegetation in the pond. Check this site for updates. Canby Pond is a 1-acre pond located on the south end of Canby in Canby City Park. The park is south of Hwy 99E and adjacent to the Molalla River. Angling restricted to youth age 17 and under or holders of one of the Disabled Anglers permits.
CARMEN RESERVOIR: trout
Carmen Reservoir was recently stocked with 2,500 legal-sized and 500 larger-sized rainbow trout. Carmen Reservoir is accessed via FS Road 750 off Hwy 126, about 2 miles south of Clear Lake, and is open all year. Motor boats are prohibited on Carmen Reservoir.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: summer steelhead, spring chinook
Fishing on the Clackamas slowed down somewhat over the past week partially due to some very low flows limiting effort. Those who know the river and could get out found fair success, particularly for summer steelhead, although a few spring chinook were also hooked. A majority of the fish were taken between Carver and McIver Park but they should be dispersed throughout the river from Gladstone up to McIver, providing both boat and bank anglers some options. The bank anglers were finding the best success up near McIver Park at Dog Creek and near Rivermill Dam. Bank anglers should make note that an angling deadline is clearly marked up near Rivermill dam and the fishway; it is illegal to fish or even cast above this deadline.
Monday hydrological data for the Clackamas has flows down considerably from last week at 1,670 cfs, with a gauge height in Estacada of 11.77 ft. and the water temperature all the way up to 57°. Flows are predicted to hold steady as relatively dry weather is predicted for the week.
Barbless hooks are now required from the mouth to the 99E Bridge when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout.
CLEAR LAKE: trout
Clear Lake was recently stocked with 2,500 legal-sized and 1,250 larger sized rainbow trout. The lake is accessed from Highway 126 approximately 70 miles east of Springfield. Cabins and row boats are available for rent from Clear Lake Resort (http://www.linnparks.com/pages/parks/clearlake.html).
COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: trout
The Coast Fork of the Willamette River was last stocked for the season in mid May with 1,400 legal-sized rainbow trout at several locations near Cottage Grove.
Coast Fork basin-specific regulations and stocking schedule.
COMMONWEALTH LAKE: trout, bass, bluegill, crappie
Stocked with 200 one-pound trout the week of May 13. This is a three-acre stocked lake within the Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, Oregon. Commonwealth Park is maintained by Tualatin Hills Park and Rec. Amenities include ADA accessible trail, picnic tables, playground, restrooms.
COTTAGE GROVE POND: trout, warmwater species
Cottage Grove Pond was last stocked for the season in early April with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. To access the pond, travel east from Cottage Grove on Row River Road. Cottage Grove Pond is located behind the truck scales and may be accessed via an asphalt pathway. Only the pond with the dock is stocked with hatchery trout.
COTTAGE GROVE RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater species
Cottage Grove Reservoir was last stocked for the season in mid-April with 4,500 rainbow trout. In addition, warmwater fish and holdover trout are available to anglers. The reservoir is south of Cottage Grove.
NOTICE: The Oregon Health Authority has issued a health advisory updating information about eating fish caught in Cottage Grove Reservoir. Under the advisory issued June 5, 2012 people can safely consume up to nine meals per month of hatchery-grown rainbow trout month that are 12 inches in length or less. People can distinguish hatchery-grown rainbow trout by the absence of the adipose fin, which is clipped before hatchery fish are released into streams and reservoirs. Despite the new exception for rainbow trout, mercury contamination for resident warm-water fish, including bass, bluegill, crappie and bullhead continues to be a concern. Women of childbearing age, particularly pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under six years of age and persons having liver or kidney ailments should avoid eating any fish from this reservoir other than rainbow trout. Healthy women beyond childbearing age, other healthy adults and healthy children six years of age and older should eat no more than one 8-ounce meal of fish other than rainbow trout per month.
CRESWELL POND (GARDEN LAKE): trout, warmwater
Creswell Pond was last stocked for the season the week of April 1. The pond is located in Garden Lake Park on the east side of I-5 in Creswell.
DETROIT RESERVOIR: trout, kokanee
Located 50 miles east of Salem, this large lake (approximately 3,000 acres at full pool) receives over 100,000 trout throughout the year. The reservoir will be stocked again this week with 7,000 legal sized rainbow trout. The water level is currently at full pool (as of June 10). Check with local outfitters in the town of Detroit to find out more.
DEXTER RESERVOIR: trout
Dexter Reservoir was stocked in late April/early May with 3,200 legal-sized rainbow trout. The next stocking will occur in late September. Dexter Reservoir is adjacent to Highway 58 near Lowell and is open all year.
DORENA RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater
Dorena Reservoir was last stocked for the season in late April with 6,300 rainbow trout. Dorena Reservoir is east of Cottage Grove on Row River Road and is open all year.
DORMAN POND: trout
Stocked the week of April 29 with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is an 8-acre pond west of Forest Grove at the junction of Hwy. 8 and Hwy. 6
EAGLE CREEK: spring chinook
Anglers can anticipate the return of adult spring chinook from 240,000 smolts released annually at the Eagle Fern Park acclimation facility. The return of these fish will be very dependent on stream flows, and whether the fish can get up into the creek; if not, anglers can expect them to be holding in areas around the mouth of Eagle Creek in the Clackamas River. Some of these fish were seen in the Clackamas River catch last week so they could be moving into the creek. They can be identified by having a right maxillary fin-clip along with an adipose fin-clip. Flows are beginning to drop in the creek so these springers will likely be holding in deeper pools should they make it in.
Long stretches of Eagle Creek run through private property, particularly up near the hatchery and from an area below the lower ladder on down past Bonnie Lure to the mouth. Anglers are advised to pay close attention to where you fish and we encourage you to ask permission prior to accessing or crossing private lands on your way to your favorite fishing hole. See Page 15 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation pamphlet for more information on “Your Rights to Use the Surface, Bed, and Banks of Oregon’s Rivers and Lakes.”
EAST FREEWAY LAKE: trout, bass, bluegill, crappie
This pond features some good size bass and crappie. A boat ramp is available. To get there take the State Police exit in Albany and follow the frontage road south (3 Lakes Road) for several miles.
EE WILSON POND: trout, bluegill
The pond has been stocked several times this spring and was stocked again last week with 1,500 legal size rainbow trout. Anglers can expect crowded conditions for a while so please exercise courtesy while enjoying this fabulous fishing opportunity. Also be reminded that permits are required when parking anywhere at EE Wilson Wildlife Area.
ESTACADA Lake: trout, steelhead, chinook, coho
Stocked the week of June 3 with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Estacada is a 150-acre reservoir on the Clackamas River behind River Mill Dam. There is a fishing dock and ADA-accessible fishing platform that provide the only non-boating access. There is a boat ramp in Milo McIver State Park at the lower end of the reservoir, picnic areas, and restrooms. There is a fee for entering the park.
FALL CREEK above FALL CREEK RESERVOIR: trout
Fall Creek above Fall Creek Reservoir was recently stocked at multiple locations with a total of 1,500 legal-sized and 250 larger sized rainbow trout. Fall Creek and Fall Creek Reservoir are north of Lowell and east of Unity.
FALL CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater
Fall Creek Reservoir was last stocked for the season in late April with 3,000 legal-sized and 400 larger sized rainbow trout. Upriver stockings will also benefit this reservoir. Fall Creek and Fall Creek Reservoir are north of Lowell and east of Unity.
FARADAY LAKE: trout
Stocked the week of June 3 with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Faraday Lake is located one mile southeast of Estacada at the Faraday Hydroelectric Project.
FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead
This 9,000 acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basin’s largest water body. It has four boat ramps and there is good bank angling along the dam and at the shoreline parks. The reservoir is currently 6 feet below full as of May 21. For local information regarding the lake, contact the Lane County Parks Department at 541-682-2000.
This lake is mostly shallow with a band of deep water from the original channel of the Long Tom River. The reservoir produces crappie over 12 inches and bass angling has been very good in recent years. Best time of year for crappie is in spring after the water temperature reaches the mid-50s, but fish can still be found in deeper water year round. July and August are peak months for largemouth bass. Fish the shoreline along the southern part of the reservoir, especially the sloughs and inlets where there is underwater structure.
FOSTER RESERVOIR: trout, bass, perch, catfish
This scenic 1,200-acre reservoir on the South Santiam River is located just 30 minutes from Interstate 5. There is good bank access at several rest stops and campgrounds, and two seasonal boat ramps. It was stocked again on May 21 with 4,000 rainbow trout. Please remember that only kokanee and adipose fin-clipped trout may be taken and there are no limits on size or number of bass. All boat ramps are available at this time. From I-5 take US 20 east from Albany to the town of Sweet Home. The reservoir is 3 miles past the town on the left.
GREEN PETER RESERVOIR: kokanee, trout, bass
This large reservoir east of Sweet Home is a premier kokanee fishery with a bag limit of 25 fish per day. It also supports stocked rainbow trout and some large smallmouth bass. Reservoir levels are close to full and both Thistle Creek and Whitcomb Island boat ramps are open. It was stocked on May 7 with 6,000 legal rainbow trout.
HALDEMAN POND: trout
Stocked the week of April 29 with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 2-acre pond located within the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. From the Sauvie Island bridge, take Sauvie Island Rd. to NW Reeder Rd, then Oak Island Rd.
HARRIET LAKE: trout
Stocked the week of May 27 with 5,000 legal-sized and 125 trophy rainbow trout. This is a 23-acre reservoir on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River within the Mount Hood National Forest.
HARTMAN POND: trout, bass, crappie, perch
Stocked the week of June 3 with 1,250 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a small fishing pond in the Columbia River Gorge just off I-84 at Benson State Park.
HENRY HAGG LAKE: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, native cutthroat trout
Stocked this week with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout.
Henry Hagg Lake has been chosen as a venue for Cabela’s “Fish for Milions” promotion, which began Saturday, May 4 and continues through July 7. Rainbow trout have been tagged with spaghetti tags that could be worth up to $2 million to the angler lucky enough to catch one. For more information and to register.
Henry Hagg is a 1,110-acre lake seven miles southwest of Forest Grove. Maintained and operated by Washington County, the park features numerous picnic areas, two boat launching facilities, more than 15 miles of hiking trails, and observation decks for wildlife and bird watching.
HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater
Hills Creek Reservoir is open to fishing all year. All non-adipose fin-clipped trout and salmon must be released unharmed. This reservoir is stocked annually with 100,000 adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook fingerlings and 200,000 adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout fingerlings. These fish grow to catchable size within a year.
HILLS CREEK above HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR: trout
Hills Creek was stocked the week of May 20 for the final stocking of the season with a total of 500 rainbow trout released at several locations.
HUDDLESTON POND: trout, bass, bluegill
Stocked the week of June 3 with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout, 100 larger trout and 25 trophy trout. This is a 5-acre pond located within Huddleston Pond Park in the city of Willamina, Ore. A former mill pond, it contains woody debris that provides habitat for bass and bluegill. It reaches a maximum depth of about 10 feet, with shallow "kid-friendly" edges. It is ADA accessible in places, with a restroom and picnic areas nearby. There is paved parking lot and small ramp for people who want to launch small, non-motorized boats.
JUNCTION CITY POND: trout, crappie
This prime fishing pond has been regularly stocked with trout since January ranging from legal-size up to ‘pounders.’ It will be stocked again this week with 1,000 legal size rainbow trout. Casting spinners and plunking with PowerBait can be effective strategies for these fish. Junction City pond is located about 2 miles south of Junction City on 99W on the west side of the highway. There is excellent access around the entire 8-acre pond. As a reminder, zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. The steelhead stocked a couple of months ago are considered ‘trout’ and the only-one-over-20-inches regulation applies.
LEABURG LAKE: trout
Leaburg Lake will be stocked weekly through late July, and then every other week in August. The lake will be stocked with 1,200 legal-sized and 250 larger rainbow trout this week.
MCKENZIE RIVER below Leaburg Lake: trout, salmon, steelhead
The McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake was stocked in late May with 4,250 legal-sized and 1,750 larger rainbow trout. The river will be boat stocked every 3 weeks through mid-late August. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be taken down to Hayden Bridge. No trout harvest is allowed below Hayden Bridge. Note that a new regulation went into effect in 2013 allowing only the use of artificial flies or lures between Hayden Bridge and Hendricks Bridge unless targeting salmon or steelhead with hooks 5/8-inch gap or larger during the period May 1 – June 15.
McKenzie basin-specific regulations and stocking schedule.
MCKENZIE RIVER above Leaburg Lake: trout, steelhead
The McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake will be boat-stocked this week from Finn Rock to Goodpasture Landing with a total of 6,950 legal-sized and 2,255 larger hatchery rainbow trout. The river will be boat stocked every 3 weeks (with one exception when it is 2 weeks) through mid-September. Rainbow trout will be truck-stocked at the boat landings between boat stockings.
McKenzie basin-specific regulations and stocking schedule.
MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER above Hills Creek Reservoir: trout
The Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with 1,350 legal-sized rainbow trout, released at campgrounds and access points from Staley Creek bridge downstream to Sand Prairie Campground. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained.
Middle Fork basin-specific regulations and stocking schedule.
MOLALLA RIVER: steelhead, spring chinook
The Molalla River flows are dropping much like other rivers in the area, making the Molalla a drift boat fishery, although water levels are still holding up enough for decent angling opportunity. Spring chinook that are returning from direct releases of smolts completed in 2010 and 2011 should be available in the Molalla River and it’s also not unheard of for an occasional summer steelhead to nose into the lower river looking for cooler water than the Willamette. The Molalla River is open for adipose fin-clipped chinook and adipose fin-clipped steelhead the entire year, with the use of bait allowed May 15-July 15 but the use of single barbless hooks is encouraged. Refer to the 2013 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.
MT HOOD POND: trout
Stocked the week of May 20 with 500 rainbow trout. Anglers are reminded that from April 1 through Aug. 31 fishing at Mt. Hood Pond is restricted to youths 17 and under as well as individuals who possess a valid Oregon Disabilities Fishing Permit.
NORTH FORK RESERVOIR: trout
Stocked the week of June 3 with 7,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 350-acre reservoir of the Clackamas River behind North Fork Dam approximately 5.2 miles east of Estacada, Ore. The lake has a boat ramp, moorage, picnic area, and accessible fishing platforms.
NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, trout
Flows have dropped to more manageable levels and are currently 2,040 cfs at Mehama on the North Santiam and 1,220 at Waterloo on the South Santiam. Fish counts at Willamette Falls have remained strong for summer steelhead and spring chinook with 6,705 and 18,861 fish respectively entering the ladder as of June 1. So far(June 7), 1,596 summer steelhead and 253 spring chinook have entered the the fish ladder at Foster dam, with most of them being recycled below to give anglers another shot at them. On the North Santiam, approximately 220 summer steelhead and 820 spring chinook have passed above Stayton into the upper river as of May 31. When the ‘bite’ is on, bobbers and jigs are the preferred angling method with spoons and egg clusters also being effective.
River levels best for fishing are below 3,000 cfs at the Mehama gauge. You may check for current conditions at http://waterdata.usgs.gov.
CAUTION: We received a report of a downed tree obstructing the Lower Bennett dam boat slide on the North Santiam at Stayton. Boaters are advised to use the south channel and the boat slide on Upper Bennett dam to get passed that section of the river. The section between Shelburn and Green’s Bridge remains hazardous for boaters because of downed trees and multiple side channels. Better bets are the floats below Green’s Bridge and above Stayton when conditions improve.
PROGRESS LAKE: trout, brown bullhead
Stocked June 7 with 600 half-pound rainbow trout and 100 one-plus pounders. This is a 4-acre pond next to the Progress Ridge Town Center in Beaverton, Oregon. The pond is an old rock pit and has a maximum depth of 54 feet. There is a sidewalk, fishing platform and viewing platform on one side of the lake. The lake is owned by Tualatin Hills Parks and Rec. Boating and swimming are prohibited on this lake.
QUARTZVILLE CREEK: trout
This beautiful stream is located above Green Peter Reservoir and provides excellent opportunities to fish for trout. There is good bank access along most of its length. Trout season opened April 28 and ends October 31. The river will be stocked this week with 2,000 rainbow trout with opportunities to catch some nice wild cutthroat trout as well. Light gear works best and fly fishing can be very good, but bait is also allowed. There are two BLM campgrounds as well as numerous designated campsites along the road. To get there, follow the directions to Green Peter Reservoir and continue around the lake until the river begins.
ROARING RIVER POND: trout
This is a small one acre pond in Roaring River County Park near ODFW’s Roaring River fish hatchery. It was stocked in late May with 320 legal-sized rainbow trout and 40 larger trout. To get there, drive highway 226 east out of Albany and turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road and continue for about 7 miles. Park is on the right.
SALMON CREEK: trout
Salmon Creek is a tributary to the Middle Fork Willamette River east of Oakridge, and
was recently stocked with 1,500 legal-sized 250 larger rainbow trout. Fish are released at multiple locations.
SALMONBERRY LAKE: trout
Stocked the week of April 29 with 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This lake is located approximately 9 miles northwest of St. Helens on Pittsburg Rd.
SALT CREEK: trout
Salt Creek is a tributary to the Middle Fork Willamette River east of Oakridge, and
was will be stocked this week with 500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Fish are released at multiple locations.
SANDY RIVER: summer steelhead, spring chinook
Fishing on the Sandy was fair to good last week, although lower flows are limiting anglers somewhat as boulders and sand bars begin to surface; those familiar with fishing the Sandy in low-flow conditions are having the greatest success. Both spring chinook and summer steelhead were found in ODFW checks last week with the best chances for hooking into a fish from Oxbow Park on upstream. Access to the river by boat can be found at ramps in Oxbow, Dodge, Dabney, and Lewis and Clark parks. There are many spots for bank access including Cedar Creek, Oxbow, Dabney, and all long the Old Scenic Hwy upstream from Troutdale. The river color is holding up so far but it won’t be long before the glacial melt brings on that sandy,milky water.
Monday hydrological data for the Sandy River has flows way down at 1,310 cfs, a gauge reading of 9.00 ft and the water temperature up further to 51°.
SANTIAM RIVER NORTH FORK above Detroit Lake: trout
This beautiful section of the river re-opened April 27. Also, please be aware that this section of river above Detroit Lake is closed to salmon fishing. Weather permitting, you may find this highway route to be an excellent family outing for simply enjoying nature. It will be stocked this week with 3,000 rainbow trout.
SCOUT LAKE: trout
Hwy. 30 toward Clatskanie; take the Swedetown Rd. exit; follow Swedetown Rd. about a quarter of a mile to Olson Rd. Turn right onto Olson Rd. Follow Scout Lake signs posted along Olson Road about three miles to locked gate. From there hike in about a mile to the lake or sign out a key to the gate from the City of Clatskanie at 95 S. Nehalem and drive in. For more information, contact the City of Clatskanie at 503-728-2622.
SHERIDAN POND: trout
Stocked the week of June 3 with 2,600 legal-sized rainbow trout and 200 larger trout. Sheridan Pond is a 2 1/2-acre pond located on the edge of town. It provides excellent access for families and kids. Good parking. From Hwy. 18, take exit 33 to Balston Rd., turn right and left to the pond.
SILVER CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, catfish
Stocked this week with 2,600 legal-sized rainbow trout and 200 larger trout. This is a 65-acre reservoir on Silver Creek 2.5 miles south of Silverton on Hwy. 214.
SMALL FRY LAKE: trout
Stocked the week of June 3 with 500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a two-acre youth-only fishing pond located next to Promotory Park and North Fork Reservoir near Esticada. There is a fish cleaning station and restroom located within walking distance of the pond.
SMITH RESERVOIR: trout
Stocked the week of May 20 with 5,000 rainbow trout. Smith Reservoir is north of Trail Bridge Reservoir and is accessed by turning off Hwy 126 at Trail Bridge Reservoir and following FS Road 730 north to Smith Dam. The reservoir is not visible from the highway and is open to year-around fishing.
SOUTH FORK YAMHILL RIVER: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
Stocked the week of June 3 with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Trout are released in multiple locations between Gold Creek Road Bridge and Willamina. Yamhill River Road runs parallel to much of this section of the river and provides adequate turnouts and parking at several locations along the way. The remaining 15 miles of river open to trout fishing has some public access but also meanders across private lands. ODFW reminds anglers to be aware of and respectful toward private property rights along the river.
ST. LOUIS PONDS: trout, bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish
St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds owned and managed by ODFW. It has a number of ADA-accessible fishing platforms and a paved trail that meanders around some of the ponds. Parking is very limited, so carpooling is encouraged, and participants may need to walk in a mile from the gate at the entrance of the complex. St. Louis Ponds is located 13 miles north of Salem and west of I-5. To get to there from the north, take the Woodburn exit off I-5. Then go east to Hwy. 99E. At Hwy. 99E, head south to the town of Gervais. At the light, go west on Gervais Rd. through Gervais. Gervais Rd. changes to St Louis Rd. Continue west on St Louis Rd. as it crosses over I-5 to Tesch Lane, at the railroad crossing. Go left on Tesch Lane and follow the signs to the ponds. For more information, contact Jeff Fulop at (971) 673-6034.
SUNNYSIDE PARK POND: trout, bass, bluegill
This 4-acre pond is located 2 miles above the upper end of Foster Reservoir. Since the beginning of the year, this family-friendly pond has been stocked with over 2,000 trout ranging from larger-size to 2.5 pound brooders. It was stocked again on May 22 with 333 legal size rainbow trout. Sunnyside Pond also offers bluegill and largemouth bass year round. The park has a campground and picnic area and is a great place to take kids fishing. There is boat ramp access to the Middle Fork arm of Foster Reservoir. To get there from I5, take US 20 through the town of Sweet Home and continue around Foster Reservoir to Quartzville Creek road. Take a left and follow this road for two miles to the park.
TIMBER-LINN LAKE: trout
This beautiful, family-friendly fishing pond is located within the 90-acre Timber-Linn Memorial Park in Albany. Within the last couple of months, the lake has been stocked with over 2,000 ‘larger’ trout and nearly 200 heavyweight brooders. It was stocked on May 15 with 250 legal and 50 larger-size rainbow trout. Please keep in mind that only one fish over 20 inches may be taken per day. Timber-Linn Lake can be reached by turning east off I-5 onto the Santiam Highway (Hwy. 20), then immediately turning north onto Price Road and proceeding to the park entrance.
TRAIL BRIDGE RESERVOIR: trout
Trail Bridge Reservoir is open to year-round angling. This waterbody is adjacent to Hwy 126 and is approximately 60 miles east of Springfield. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be harvested from Trail Bridge Reservoir. Flies and lures only may be used. Trail Bridge Reservoir will be stocked this week with 3,000legal-sized rainbow trout.
TRILLIUM LAKE: trout
Stocked the week of May 20 with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Trillium is a 60-acre lake located approximately three miles east of Government Camp off of Hwy 26. This lake is popular for fishing, camping and photography, often clearly reflecting Mount Hood. A large campground at the lake features a seasonal boat ramp and wheelchair-accessible floating dock.
TROJAN PONDS: trout, warmwater species
The pond was stocked the week of April 15 with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 15-acre lake just east of Rainier on the north side of Hwy 30 at the Trojan nuclear facility.
WALLING POND: trout, crappie, bass
In recent months, Walling Pond has received over 3,000 trout ranging in size from legals to multi-pound brooders. As a reminder, brooders are considered trout so zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one may be over 20 inches. The pond is located within the Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission Street.
WALTER WIRTH LAKE: trout, crappie, bass
Since the first of the year, this pond has received several stockings totaling over 8,000 fish providing anglers an opportunity to catch trout of all sizes, from legal 8-inch trout to whoppers over 10 pounds. It was stocked again last week with 2,000 legal and 250 larger size rainbow trout. As a reminder, brooders are considered trout so zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. This wheelchair accessible lake is located just east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Rd. or Turner Rd. to reach the lake.
WAVERLY POND: trout, bluegill, catfish
Since the beginning of the year, Waverly Pond has received 2,500 trout ranging in size from ‘larger’ to trophies. It was stocked on May 15 with 160 legal and 20 larger-size rainbow trout. Please be aware, only one fish over 20 inches may be kept. Here is an excellent in-town fishing opportunity. From I-5 take exit 234 west towards Albany. The pond, located a quarter mile down the Pacific Boulevard and on the right, will be found in a beautiful park-like setting.
WEST SALISH POND: panfish, trout
The Salish Ponds Wetlands Park has been closed by the City of Fairview as an extensive renovation project is underway. This project is running well behind schedule so ODFW will likely not be stocking West Salish Pond again until fall of 2013.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: spring chinook, summer steelhead
Willamette Falls spring chinook passage slowed last week but summer steelhead movement continues to show strength with some nice daily passage numbers; the counting of winter steelhead ended May 31. Through June 2 the passage of adult springers was up to 18,256 while the jack count stood at 878. The counts for summer steelhead were at 6,944 while winter steelhead showed an unofficial final tally of 4,944 for the season.
Fishing effort for springers is slowly coming to a close but a few diehard anglers are hooking the occasional fish, some in the Oregon City area and some near the head of the Multnomah Channel.
The shad anglers are having some good success, mainly in the Milwaukie/Oregon City area, although a few have picked up fish in the lower channel.
The catch and release sturgeon fishery has also been providing opportunity, with the lower channel, St Johns, and the Milwaukie area the best spots to hook a sturgeon.
Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on June 10 show flows falling sharply to 10,800 cfs, visibility up at 6.3 ft., with the water temperature rapidly climbing to 69°.
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